Judge Armatas was appointed to the bench in 1990, and was Presiding Judge from 1995 through 1997 and again from 2005 through 2008. Judge Armatas graduated from East High School in 1957. He received his undergraduate degree in 1962 from the University of Colorado and his law degree from University of Denver College of Law in 1965.
Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Armatas was a Denver Assistant City Attorney, a part-time City Attorney for the City of Broomfield, and in private practice for 25 years.
Judge Armatas received the Judicial Excellence Award from the Denver Bar Association in 2007, the Appreciation Award from the Denver Bar Association for Teen Court Program in 1993, and a Service Award from the Denver Public Works Department for the Keep Denver Beautiful Graffiti Abatement Program in 1994.
Judge Armatas is an active member of the Denver Bar Association and Colorado Bar Association, and has served on the Board of Governors to the Colorado Bar Association, Denver Board of Adjustment, Colorado Supreme Court Magistrate Committee, Colorado Supreme Court County Judge Weighted Caseload Committee, Colorado Judicial Coordinating Council, and Denver Crime Prevention and Control Commission. Judge Armatas has written several published articles for the Colorado Bar Association, “The Docket.”