Sixth Judicial District Judge Todd Norvell has tendered his resignation effective Jan. 14. His departure, three years before the end of his term, leaves the district in the unusual position of needing to fill a second vacancy on the bench within a year.
“It’s not often we have two vacancies so close, back-to-back here,” said Eric Hogue, the 6th judicial administrator. “It’s very unusual for this district to have turnover at this rate.”
Hogue was referring to the appointment of Judge Kim Shropshire to the 6th district in March after the departure of Judge William Herringer.
Attempts by The Durango Herald to contact Norvell were unsuccessful, but Hogue said Norvell is stepping down from the bench for personal reasons.
“Judge Norvell had a series of health issues over the last couple years that have led him to believe that he needs something where he can have a more flexible schedule and better manage his time and his health,” Hogue said. “And we are sorry to see him go. He’s been a fantastic jurist here for our district. He’s served the community unbelievably well.”
By all accounts Norvell, who was appointed to the 6th district in 2017, leaves behind not only his black robe, but also some big shoes to fill.
“Extremely conscientious,” “kind and respectful” and “well-prepared,” were just a few of the comments on Norvell’s last judicial performance survey.
“Judge Norvell maintains control of the courtroom and gives the proceedings a sense of dignity, while still treating attorneys and litigants with a great deal of compassion and humanity,” the survey said.
Norvell presides primarily over domestic and criminal cases, but his current workload includes civil, juvenile, mental health and probate matters.
He has been complimented in the past for his preparation and lack of bias by both the public defender’s office and the district attorney’s office. In 2020, the 6th Judicial District Commission on judicial performance agreed by a vote of 10-0 that Norvell met performance standards.
“So yes, some big shoes to fill,” Hogue said. “He’s been a great judge for us.”
Before his time with the 6th district, Norvell served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the district of Colorado from 2007 to 2017. His experience before becoming a judge was primarily criminal law as a state and federal prosecutor. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and his juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University.
Hogue doesn’t think Norvell plans any big fishing trips or golf junkets upon his departure.
“I think what he is hoping to do is spend time getting some health issues in check,” he said. “It’s not anything that’s going to take him away from the community. He wants to focus on himself, and I can fully appreciate that. These jobs are incredibly demanding and require a lot of attention. And so I think this is a time for him to give some attention back to himself.”
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Dec. 20 at the La Plata County Courthouse in Durango to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to fill the vacancy left by Norvell.
To be eligible, applicants must be registered to vote within the district (Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties), and have practiced law in Colorado for at least five years. The current annual salary is $183,816. The initial term for a district judge is a provisional two years, thereafter, the incumbent judge, if approved by voters, has a six-year term.
For more information about applying, visit www.courts.state.co.us/Careers/Judge.cfm.
gjaros@durangoherald.com
