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Colorado Chapter Meeting 6.26.2026

Includes a Live In-Person Event on 06/26/2026 at 11:00 AM (EDT)

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Colorado Chapter Meeting | June 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM MT | 3 ADED Contact Hours | Members $30 USD
Location: Castlewood Library Meeting Room | 6739 S Uinta St, Centennial, CO 80112
Deadline to Register 06/24/26 05:00 PM ET

Schedule (Subject to change):

9:00am-9:10am  Introductions

9:10am-12:15pm Program

  • BRING IN ‘DA JUDGE—GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF COLORADO LAWS
  • Break: 10:55A-11A
  • Q & A with the Judge
  • Wrap up and ensure all goals have been met

12:15am-12:35pm Program Rounds: Each program shares any updates or changes

12:35pm-1:00pm  Chapter Business

Brin in 'Da Judge--Get A Better Understanding of Colorado Laws  - Presented by: Michael J. Wantanabe 

Abstract: Colorado is a self-report state. What does this mean legally? How do you explain this to your client? What can you present to your client that documents a self-report state (especially those who are attorneys)? How does this change what you do?  What is the difference between a Law and a Statute? Judge Watanabe has worked in Colorado for 31 years. He also worked for the Tenth Circuit, which covers Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.  In addition, a CDRS completed a driving assessment with his wife, who has a neurological diagnosis.  Judge Watanabe can present both his legal knowledge and his perspective as a spouse during a driving assessment.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Understand the legal meaning of a self-report state; 
  • Learn how to present this information to your clients, providing legal documentation for support’ 
  • Ask and get answers to those legal questions that we rely on the DMV to answer;  
  • Understand the legal process should you put a restriction in place that is not followed by your client; 
  • Learn how State Laws differ for Colorado and its neighboring states; 
  • Hear a spouse’s perspective of a driving assessment.   

Attendance at the entire event is required to earn contact hours, no partial hours are awarded. Registration confirmation and payment receipts are e-mailed to the attendee. All cancellations must be made in writing to the ADED Executive Office by June 15, 2026; a 20% handling fee will be charged. Refunds will not be issued after this date or for “no-shows.” Partial refunds will not be granted. ADED reserves the right to modify content, timetable, change speakers, or cancel events due to unforeseen/unavoidable circumstances at any time. If ADED cancels an event, a full refund will be provided to registrants. ADED does not offer refunds because of technological issues, should the ADED experience a platform outage, attendees will be provided an appropriate credit.  All complaints relative to the content, instructor, and registration procedures are to be directed to the ADED executive office: 200 1st Ave NW #505 Hickory NC 28601 or via email eLearning@aded.net  

ADED's Education Code of Conduct applies to this and all ADED education. 

Michael J. Watanabe

Michael J. Watanabe

U.S. District Court (D-CO)

Judge Watanabe was admitted to practice law in 1979. He served as deputy legislative counsel in Nevada for one year, as a deputy district attorney in Colorado for five years, and was in private practice for two years. He was appointed to the district court in 1987. He is assigned to approximately 1,200 cases in the civil, probate and mental health area, and the grand jury. Prior to this appointment, he served in the criminal division.

Honorable Michael Watanabe United States Magistrate Judge for United States District Court for the District of Colorado (retired). EDUCATION:   B.A. - Cum Laude, La Verne College 1975 n/k/a University of La Verne, majors: Business Administration, Physical Education and Economics [triple major]; Departmental Honors in Business Administration and Physical Education; J.D., California Western School of Law (A.B.A., A.A.L.S.) 1979; State of California Secondary Standard Teaching Credential 1976 to present; State of Colorado Standard Teaching Credential 1982 to 2007; Colorado State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education Vocational Credential 1985 to present. PROFESSIONAL: Deputy Legislative Counsel, State of Nevada, Legislative Counsel Bureau, 1979-1980; Deputy District Attorney, State of Colorado, Eighteenth Judicial District, 1981-1986; Adjunct Professor [part-time], State of Colorado, Arapahoe Community College [paralegal and criminal justice programs] 1985 to present; Associate Attorney, Montgomery Little Young Campbell & McGrew, P.C., n/k/a Montgomery Little and Soren, P.C., 1986-1987; District Court Judge, State of Colorado, Eighteenth Judicial District, 1987-1999; United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, District of Colorado 1999 to present.    

Watanabe, Michael 1990 Evaluation
Eighteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Michael J. Watanabe
Retention Year: 1990 Recommendation: Retain

Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.

Judge Watanabe was admitted to practice law in 1979. He served as deputy legislative counsel in Nevada for one year, as a deputy district attorney in Colorado for five years, and was in private practice for two years. He was appointed to the district court in 1987. He is assigned to approximately 1,200 cases in the civil, probate and mental health area, and the grand jury. Prior to this appointment, he served in the criminal division.

Several respondents commented he lacked sensitivity in some matters; more indicated he is a well prepared, professional judge who works very hard. He manages his docket efficiently and is courteous.

Components visible upon registration.