9/13/24 Update re: Notice of Closure of Conejos County Courthouse

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Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program Names New Executive Director

Nov. 25, 2024, DENVER—The Colorado Judicial Branch is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth "Liz" Lembo, LPC, LAC, as the new Executive Director of the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP), the state's lawyer assistance program dedicated to promoting the well-being, resiliency, and competency of Colorado's legal community. 

Fourth Judicial District’s Division CARE Marks One Year of Transforming Lives and Preventing Evictions

Nov. 27, 2024, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The Fourth Judicial District is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of Division CARE (Court Assisted Recovery from Eviction), Colorado’s only eviction recovery program of its kind. Launched as a pilot program with grant funding from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) on Nov. 27, 2023, Division CARE has significantly impacted the lives of tenants and landlords by addressing housing insecurity and stabilizing the local community.

Colorado Courts Celebrate National Adoption Day

Nov. 15, 2024, DENVER, Colo. – National Adoption Day is being celebrated in many of Colorado’s Judicial Districts in November, with judges and magistrates across Colorado finalizing the adoptions of dozens of foster children into permanent families. Colorado is currently home to more than 200 children waiting for permanent families. 

Hon. Ryan Stuart appointed Chief Judge of new 23rd Judicial District

Nov. 12, 2024, Denver, Colo. – Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez has appointed the Hon. Ryan Stuart to serve as chief judge in the newly created 23rd Judicial District, effective Jan. 14, 2025. 

Judge Stuart currently serves as a district court judge in the 18th Judicial District and, for the past 18 months, has served as the administrative judge responsible for ensuring a smooth transition of staff and services to the 23rd Judicial District. 

Fifteen Problem-Solving Courts earn accreditation in Colorado

Nov. 8, DENVER, Colo. – The Statewide Problem-Solving Court Advisory Committee has recently accredited 15 problem-solving courts across Colorado through the Problem-Solving Court Tiered Accreditation Program. This accreditation marks a significant achievement for the courts, recognizing their commitment to implementing evidence-based, research-proven practices in line with the Colorado Adult Problem-Solving Court Unified Standards.

Jeff Lindsey Sworn in as Acting District Attorney

Nov. 4, 2024, SALIDA, CO—Chief Judge Amanda Hunter has issued an order, pursuant to C.R.S. § 20-1-108, appointing Jeff Lindsey as the Acting District Attorney for the 11th Judicial District. Mr. Lindsey was sworn in on Friday, Nov.

Hon. Amanda Hunter appointed Chief Judge of 11th Judicial District

Oct. 28, 2024, FAIRPLAY, Colo. – Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez has appointed the Hon. Amanda Hunter to serve as chief judge in the 11th Judicial District (Chaffee, Custer, Fremont and Park counties).

As of Oct. 29, Judge Hunter will replace the Hon. Patrick W. Murphy, who was appointed as a district judge in 2012 and has served as chief judge since 2015. Chief Judge Murphy recently announced his upcoming retirement.

Additional Judicial Districts to Host Free Legal Resource Days Events

Oct. 17, 2024, DENVER— Three additional Colorado Judicial Districts will hold Free Legal Resource Day events the week of Oct. 21, 2024. Residents in the 3rd, 8th, and 17th Judicial Districts can attend educational seminars and Ask-An-Attorney sessions in the Colorado cities of Trinidad, Fort Collins and Brighton.

Recovery “Drug” Court Program Graduates 12 Participants

Oct. 9, 2024, COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – On Thursday, October 10, 2024, 12 participants will be recognized for completing the 4th Judicial District Recovery “Drug” Court, an El Paso and Teller counties program initiated in January 2001 as the second drug problem-solving court in the state of Colorado. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in Colorado Springs, 270 S. Tejon Street, in the Jury Assembly Room W 113. 

19th Judicial District Hosting Third Warrant Clearance Day in Weld County

Sept. 30, 2024, GREELEY, Colo. – The 19th Judicial District, in collaboration with Greeley Municipal Court, will be hosting its third Warrant Clearance Day on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Weld County Combined Court Centennial Center located at 915 10th Street in Greeley.  

New Supreme Court Chief Justice Sworn In, Justice Monica Márquez becomes the First Latina Chief Justice

July 26, 2024, DENVER, CO—Supreme Court Justice Monica M. Márquez was sworn in today, Friday, July 26, 2024, as Colorado’s new chief justice, making her the first Latina in Colorado’s history to hold the title of chief. Justice Márquez succeeds Justice Brian D. Boatright as chief justice of the Supreme Court after a three-year term in the leadership position. The rotation of the chief after three years comes from a unanimous vote in 2020 of the Supreme Court justices to move to shorter rotational terms for the office of the chief justice.

12th Judicial District accepting applications for VALE Board vacancy

May 1, 2024, ALAMOSA, CO – The 12th Judicial District is accepting applications for one vacancy on 
the Victims Assistance and Law Enforcement (VALE) Board serving Alamosa, Conejos, 
Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. 

The five-member board provides grant funds to community and criminal justice agencies 
providing direct victim services in the district. Board members decide how to allocate funds for 
grants requested through a competitive application process.

18th Judicial District Court judge finalists selected

June 26, 2024-- The Eighteenth Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a district court judgeship created by the retirement of the Hon. Gary Kramer. The vacancy will occur on August 3, 2024. Nominees Matthew Phillip Schoettle and Donna M. Stewart, both of Castle Rock and Daniel Wilson Warhola of Franktown, were selected in a meeting on June 25, 2024, at the Arapahoe County Combined Courts in Centennial.

Mesa County Court Judge Finalists Selected

Tuesday, June 25, 2024-- The Twenty-first Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a Mesa County court judgeship created by the appointment of the Hon. Craig P. Henderson to the 21st JD District Court bench, effective June 17, 2024. Nominees, Katherine A. Barnes of Fruita, Scott J. Burrill of Grand Junction, and JenniLynn E. Lawrence of Mancos were selected in a meeting on June 24, 2024, at the Mesa County Justice Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. 
 

Second Judicial District Court judge finalists selected

Monday, June 24, 2024—The Second Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a district court judgeship created by the death of Hon. Christine C. Antoun, effective May 25, 2024. The commission selected Nominees Michael W.V. Angel of Denver, Heidi L. Kutcher of Denver and Rebekah Bailey Watada of Denver on June 21, 2024.

Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from June 24, 2024, within which to appoint one of the nominees as district court judge for the Second Judicial District (Denver County).

15th Judicial District Announces Kiowa County Court Vacancy

Tuesday, June 4, 2024-- The Fifteenth Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on July 22, 2024, at the Kiowa County Combined Court (1305 Goff St., Eads, CO 81036) to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of county judge for Kiowa County. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of the Honorable Gary W. Davis. The vacancy will occur on September 1, 2024.  

Second Judicial District announces District Court vacancy

Friday, May 31, 2024-- The Second Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on June 21, 2024, at the Denver City and County building, 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202, to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of district judge for the Second Judicial District (Denver County). The vacancy was created by the death of the Hon. Christine Antoun on May 25, 2024.