A Garfield County judge on Wednesday ordered an inpatient competency evaluation for Craig Allen Robbins, who is charged with two counts of attempted murder and multiple other counts stemming from a 2022 shooting and police standoff in Glenwood Springs.

Robbins appeared in 9th Judicial District Court before Judge Anne K. Norrdin, who granted a defense request to have him transported to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo for a competency evaluation. Representing Robbins is private attorney William Trent Palmer, while District Attorney Eric Lund appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Palmer argued that conditions at the Garfield County Jail — where Robbins is held in solitary confinement for more than 23 hours a day and must be restrained during interactions — are not conducive to a meaningful evaluation. He said Robbins’ mental state has deteriorated and that prior attempts to conduct assessments in custody have proven difficult due to logistical and behavioral complications.

“I can’t imagine a world where we’re doing a virtual competency evaluation of Craig Robbins,” Palmer told the court. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Jail staff present at the hearing confirmed that conducting evaluations inside the jail is challenging, particularly due to safety protocols requiring restraints and limited access for mental health professionals. While they did not provide details about Robbins’ behavioral record, they acknowledged difficulties in accommodating the defense’s preferred evaluation conditions.

Norrdin determined that “extraordinary circumstances” exist in the case and ordered Robbins to undergo an inpatient evaluation at the state facility in Pueblo.

“I find that there are extraordinary circumstances relating to the allegations in the case and the nature of the suspected incompetency,” Norrdin said. “An inpatient evaluation has the higher potential to produce a competency report the court and parties can rely on.”

Robbins is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly shooting his former landlord, Tom Parks, during an attempted eviction on July 14, 2022, on Riverview Drive. The incident escalated into a police standoff in which more than 50 rounds were fired at officers and surrounding homes. He also faces multiple other charges, including weapons and endangerment offenses.

Under the order, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office must transport Robbins to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo within three days of being notified that the facility is ready to receive him. Once the evaluation is complete, Robbins must be returned to the jail within 72 hours. The Department of Human Services has 21 days to complete and submit a report following receipt of the order and all supporting case materials.

Norrdin also appointed a Bridges liaison to help monitor and report on the evaluation process.

A court file review is scheduled for June 4, with the next formal review hearing set for 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 1.