Judge Christopher J. Baumann: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Christopher J. Baumann is a judge for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Colorado. Baumann was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Hickenlooper on November 1, 2017, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Sheila Rappaport.

The 2nd Judicial District encompasses Denver County. Baumann currently sits as the Chief Judge of the Denver District Court.

Prior to his appointment, Baumann was a deputy state public defender for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office, a position to which he was named in 2002. During his tenure there, he specialized in death penalty litigation in Denver County, Greeley County, and Arapahoe County, performing a brief stint as an assistant attorney general in the Employment Law Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office (2004 to 2005).

Baumann earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1997. He then completed a J.D. at Tulane University School of Law in 2000.

After graduating from law school, Baumann began his legal career as a staff attorney for the Supreme Court of Louisiana. He served in that capacity until 2001, at which time he entered into private practice at Levy, Morse & Wheeler.

Baumann is a veteran of the United States Army Reserve (1994 to 2002). When not presiding over legal proceedings, he volunteers for Project Angel Heart, delivering meals to homebound patients who struggle from life-threatening illnesses.