Hon. Katherine R. Delgado (Ret.) joined JAMS in Denver after over 20 years of distinguished service in Colorado’s 17th Judicial District. She presided over hundreds of bench and jury trials in Adams and Broomfield counties, where she is known for her knowledge and application of the law, case management abilities and communication skills.

Judge Delgado is recognized for her innovative work in the field of family and juvenile law. She also served on Denver-area “problem-solving courts,” which make use of alternative dispute resolution methods to reduce substance abuse recidivism. Her communication, listening and motivational interviewing skills furthered drug abuse treatment goals for offenders and encouraged parties to resolve their disputes.

This same time and attention to parties and their concerns makes Judge Delgado an effective dispute resolution professional in private practice.

Areas of expertise

Judge Delgado has significant judicial or litigation experience in the following areas:

• Arbitration
• Construction
• Consumer
• Defamation
• Disability Discrimination
• Education
• Elder Law
• Employment
• Family/Divorce/Child
• Government/Public Agency
• Hearing Officer, City of Thornton
• Title IX Hearing Officer, University of Colorado
• HOA/Owners Associations
• Insurance
• Malpractice
• Personal Injury
• Probate/Estates/Trusts
• Product Liability
• Real Estate/Title/Brokerage/Leasing

• Member, Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on Children and Families, 2003–2007
• Member, Adams/Broomfield Bar Association
• Member, National Council of Family and Juvenile Courts Judges (NCJFCJ)
• Member, Courts Catalyzing Change Initiative, NCJFCJ and Casey Family Programs, 2008–2012
• Member, Colorado Court Improvement Program, 2006–2022
• Executive Committee Member, Colorado Court Improvement Program, 2006–2022
• Member, Colorado Supreme Court Public Access Committee, 2012–2022
• Chair, Indian Child Welfare Act Committee, Court Improvement Program, 2015–2022
• Chair, Governor’s Community Corrections Council, 2014–2022
• Member, Colorado Judicial Conference Planning Committee, 2012–2021
• Dean, Colorado Juvenile Judges Institute, 2016–2021
• Member, Board of Directors, A Precious Child, 2016–2023
• Member, Board of Directors, CASA of Adams and Broomfield Counties, 2022–2023

• District Court Judge, Colorado Judicial Branch, 17th Judicial District, 2002–2022
  • Presided over a juvenile docket, with previous rotations in civil, criminal and domestic relations
  • Presiding Judge, Adams County Indian Child Welfare Act Court
  • Lead Judge, Colorado Best Practice Juvenile Courts
  • Presiding Judge, Adams County Integrated Family Treatment Court
  • Lead Model Court Judge, National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges
• Deputy and Chief Deputy District Attorney, Office of the District Attorney, 20th Judicial District (Boulder), 1989–2002
  • Prosecution of misdemeanor and felony sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence cases
  • Supervision of deputy district attorneys and support staff
  • Led committee charged with drafting statutes relating to domestic violence and child abuse
  • Provided ongoing training on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault to all of Boulder County's law enforcement agencies and Colorado prosecutors
• Attorney, Private Practice, 1984–1989
• J.D., University of Denver College of Law, 1984
• B.A., Colorado College (Colorado Springs), 1979