Jeffrey Dean Ruff has heard only criminal cases in the past year. He grew up in Billings, Montana, and earned a B.A. in 1996 and a law degree in 1999 at the University of Montana. He then moved to Colorado and practiced law until his appointment to the district court in 2024. His background includes work with organizations and individuals facing substance abuse and mental health struggles, and with survivors of violence.
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Retention question
Jeffrey Dean Ruff
Appointed to the Seventeenth Judicial District Court in 2024. The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 8 to 0 that he meets performance standards.
Court
Seventeenth Judicial District - District Court
On the ballot in
Adams and Broomfield counties
Term
6 years
Judicial appointment
2024
Appointed by Gov. Jared Polis, 2024
Appointing governor's party: Democrat
The commission's findingMeets Performance Standardsby a vote of 8 to 0
A yes vote means
Judge Ruff stays on the Seventeenth Judicial District Court for a new six-year term.
A no vote means
Judge Ruff leaves the Seventeenth Judicial District Court at the end of his current term.
An Exclusively Criminal Docket01
Fairness and Docket Management02
The commission writes that he "is almost universally considered to be fair." Two commissioners were absent for its 8 to 0 vote.
The commission reports concerns about his case management over the past two years and writes that "while there are ongoing concerns about him timely and effectively managing his docket, his focus on improving has produced results which the Commission finds encouraging." Much of the criticism "appears to be derived from open court proceedings," the commission writes. It expects further improvement as he balances giving litigants a chance to be heard against managing court time.
Career03
1996
Earned a B.A. from the University of Montana
1999
Earned his law degree from the University of Montana
2024
Appointed to the Seventeenth Judicial District Court
Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, 2026 evaluation
Commission evaluation04
On demeanor
“His demeanor conveys his empathetic qualities, and he is praised as being kind and respectful of those who appear before him.”
On preparation
“He is diligent and well-prepared for proceedings in his courtroom.”
On community service
“Going forward he is seeking to find community service activities appropriate for a judicial officer, and the Commission supports his efforts in that regard.”
Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, 2026 evaluation
The figures05
Commission vote
8 meet · 0 do not meet · 2 absentAttorneys surveyed
13 responses · 69% meets standards · 23% does notNon-attorneys surveyed
12 responses · 92% meets standards · 0% does notLast retention election
First retention electionSources06
- 2026 evaluation of Judge Jeffrey Dean Ruff (Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation)
- 2026 Retention Survey Report (Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation)
- 2025 Interim Survey Report (Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation)
- Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, 2026 evaluation