Gretchen Larson Appointed next Chief Judge of 21st Judicial District 

Sept. 3, 2026, GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez has appointed the Honorable Gretchen Larson to serve as the next chief judge of the 21st Judicial District (Mesa County).

Judge Larson will replace the Honorable Brian Flynn, who was appointed as district judge in 2005 and has served as chief judge since 2016. Chief Judge Flynn recently announced his upcoming retirement and will continue to serve as chief judge until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2026. Judge Larson will become chief judge on Jan. 1, 2027.

Judge Larson, a Colorado native, received her undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University in 1989 and her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1993. Judge Larson worked as a prosecutor with the 21st Judicial District (Mesa County) from 1993 to 1999 and with the 9th Judicial District (Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties) from 1999 to 2005. In March 2005, she returned to the District Attorney's Office in Grand Junction until her appointment to the county court by then Gov. Bill Owens in July 2006 and to the district court by then Gov. John Hickenlooper in 2016.  

“Chief Judge Flynn has served the 21st Judicial District with integrity and fairness for more than two decades. He has been a leader in the courthouse and the community, and I am grateful for his commitment to justice,” said Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez. “I thank incoming Chief Judge Larson for stepping into this new role. I am confident that her experience, legal knowledge and commitment to excellence will position her well to lead the 21st Judicial District.”

Chief Judge Larson will serve as the administrative head of the district, responsible for appointing the court executive, chief probation officer, and clerk of court, assisting in personnel, financial and case-management duties, and seeing that the business of the courts is conducted efficiently and effectively.  
 

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