On September 3, 2019, Judge Lance P. Timbreza pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired and was sentenced to one year of probation, alcohol monitoring, a $200 fine, useful public service, and two days of suspended jail time. The Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline (the Commission) recommended approval of the Stipulation for Public Censure and Suspension (the Stipulation), which Judge Timbreza and the Commission executed pursuant to Colorado Rules of Judicial Discipline 36(c), 36(e), and 37(e).

Consistent with the Stipulation, the Commission recommended that the Supreme Court issue a public censure and a 28-eight-day suspension of Judge Timbreza’s judicial duties without pay. The Court concluded that the terms of the Stipulation comply with RJD 37(e) and are supported by the record of the proceedings. Therefore, the Court ordered the Stipulation to become effective and issued the agreed-upon sanctions.

The Court publicly censured Judge Timbreza for failing to maintain the high standards of judicial conduct required of a judge; for violating Canon Rule 1.1 of the Colorado Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires a judge to comply with the law; and for violating Canon Rule 1.2, which requires a judge to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary and avoids impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. Further, the Court suspended Judge Timbreza from his judicial duties without pay for 28 days, to be served by January 31, 2020.