William Culver

William Culver was appointed to the Otero County Court in 2024. He hears civil cases, criminal advisements, misdemeanors, traffic and small claims matters.

Before joining the court he was the elected district attorney for the 16th Judicial District. Before 2012 he was a solo practitioner focused on complex divorce proceedings and criminal defense. He also litigated dependency and neglect, juvenile delinquency and civil cases and consulted on probate matters. He earned a bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University in 1992 and a law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1995. He is admitted to the Colorado Bar, the bar of the United States District Court for Colorado and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 8 to 0 that he meets performance standards, with one commissioner abstaining and one vacancy on the commission. The commission writes that his demeanor is described as "patient, fair, and understanding of people in the court room" and that he "has excellent docket control, consistently prepared for his hearings and executes exceptional oral and written orders."

The commission writes: "Although only 17 surveys were completed for Judge Culver, the Commission determined that the remaining sources provided a sufficient basis to issue this opinion."