Thomas L. Lynch

Thomas L. Lynch was appointed to the Larimer County Court by Governor Bill Ritter and took the bench in December 2010. Voters retained him in 2022 with 64.49 percent of the votes cast on the question: 86,608 yes and 47,687 no. Before joining the court he was a deputy district attorney and worked outside the law in the private sector. He holds a computer science degree and a law degree from the University of Wyoming.

The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 8 to 0 that he meets performance standards, with one commissioner absent and one vacancy on the commission. Twenty-three people completed the commission's survey, 11 attorneys and 12 non-attorneys, which the commission calls "a markedly low response rate."

The commission writes that "Judge Lynch believes in the importance of a streamlined and efficient courtroom." It describes processes he developed, such as making local service providers available in his courtroom for Medically Guided Treatment Supervision, and reports that he encourages free mediation in landlord-tenant cases and sets specific requirements for virtual appearances. He is taking part in a pilot of a more secure program for virtual appearances.

The commission calls him "a competent and capable judicial officer" and writes that "He is respectful and ensures that parties feel heard in his courtroom." It describes his demeanor as "calm and professional" toward those who appear before him.