Experience

Taggart Howard is engaged in a general practice, with a focus on criminal defense, civil litigation, mediation, small business and real estate law.”

Taggart H. Howard began his legal career working for the Office of the District Attorney in the Fifth Judicial District in April of 1998.

As a Deputy District Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District, Mr. Howard gained extensive trial experience. He managed the largest felony docket in the District which involved warrant approval, advisements, motions hearings, jury trials and sentencing hearings. He was in charge of the juvenile docket and worked closely with juveniles and their families for positive change. He also managed a large county court docket which included misdemeanors like domestic violence, wildlife crimes and traffic offenses like driving under the influence and driving while ability impaired.

In his tenure at the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Howard worked with and maintained close relationships with the following agencies: Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Vail Police Department, Avon Police Department, Eagle Police Department, Minturn Police Department, Leadville Police Department, Breckenridge Police Department, Silverthorne Police Department, Basalt Police Department, Colorado Division of Wildlife, United States Forest Service, Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Land Management.

Since 2012, Taggart H. Howard has been an active team member of the Eagle County Recovery Court (ECRC) Team.  Taggart H. Howard represents the defense bar on the team.  Other team members include Honorable Judge Reed Owens from the Eagle County District Court, a representative from the District Attorney’s Office, probation officers and treatment providers, along with a representative from law enforcement.  The mission statement of the Eagle County Recovery Court is:  To assist persons in the criminal justice system who are struggling with substance use disorder to become productive, sober, law-abiding members of the community.  The Eagle County Recovery Court targets high risk/high needs clients who have substance use disorders.  These are persons with significant histories of substance use disorder, may have prior treatment failures, and are at high risk for engaging in criminal behavior due to their substance use and anti-social thinking.  These programs reduce crime, reduce dependance on drugs and alcohol and reduce recidivism.  The program is accredited through the State.  It is very powerful to see someone graduate from the ECRC program and go on to fulfill dreams that they might never have thought were possible.  

Since entering private practice in 2002, Taggart Howard has also maintained a focus on criminal defense. If you have been accused or charged with a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer. And not just any attorney – a lawyer who is intimately familiar with the Eagle County/Summit County/Lake County/Clear Creek County court systems, the judges and the strategies of prosecuting lawyers. Someone with a track record of success who knows what it takes to win. That’s where Taggart Howard comes in. He knows what’s at stake in a criminal case. Taggart Howard represents clients from all walks of life throughout the Colorado High Country – juveniles and adults, and clients accused of felonies, misdemeanors and DUIs. If you have been accused of a crime, particularly your first crime, chances are you don’t know where to turn. Call Taggart Howard today!

In July, 2019, Taggart H. Howard was appointed by the State Commission on Judicial Performance as a Commissioner for the 5th Judicial District’s Judicial Performance Commission.  Commissions on Judicial Performance were created to provide fair, responsible and constructive evaluations of trial and appellate judges and justices.  The 5th Judicial District is made up of County and District Courts in Eagle County, Summit County, Lake County and Clear Creek County.  

Education

Taggart received his juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan on September 19, 1998.

Mr. Howard received his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Polytechnic Institute on December 19, 1992. GO HOKIES !

Bar Admission

• Taggart H. Howard was admitted to the Colorado Bar in May, 2000.
• Mr. Howard was admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado on September 8, 2003.
• Mr. Howard was admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on October 3, 2005.
• Mr. Howard was admitted to the United States Supreme Court by Chief Justice John Roberts in Washington, D.C. on January 14, 2008

Personal

In his spare time, Taggart Howard is an avid fly fisherman. He also enjoys snowboarding, camping and hiking with his wife Elyse and sons Eli and Max in the wonderful Rocky Mountains.

“Our family is profoundly grateful to Taggart for his expert lawyering in our criminal case.  He is experienced, smart, insightful, wise, knowledgeable, responsive, organized, caring, and thorough.  In the very beginning, he provided us with a detailed proposed “action plan.” That plan and his excellent legal skills were likely central to the very positive outcome in our case.  We are lucky we found him. We will be eternally grateful to Taggart.”