Tamara S. Russell

For most of her current term Tamara S. Russell heard a mixed docket of criminal, civil and domestic relations cases on the Jefferson County District Court bench. In February 2026 she moved to an all-criminal docket. Voters retained her in 2020 with 74.38 percent of the votes cast on the question.

She grew up in rural Indiana, graduated with honors from Indiana University and earned her law degree from CU Law School in 1987. She worked for an insurance defense firm, served as a deputy district attorney in Adams County and was Chief Deputy City Attorney in Lakewood until her appointment to the court in October 2005.

The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance writes that she "is noted to be balanced and respectful to both attorneys and litigants in her courtroom" and that "She demonstrates a good command of the law and the rules of evidence, and her orders are typically well-reasoned and detailed." It describes her practice of letting every party state its position and be heard, and writes: "This aim has, at times, potentially come at the expense of docket management, a component of her performance that she continues to hone."

The commission writes that the 2026 survey drew few responses but that "a significant majority of attorneys and non-attorneys opined that Judge Russell meets performance standards." It reports that 11 appellate judges who responded rated her 3.5 out of 4.0.