Kim Shropshire of Durango was sworn into her new role as 6th Judicial District judge on Monday at the La Plata County Courthouse.
Shropshire was sworn in by 6th Judicial District Judge Todd Norvell. Norvell said Chief Judge Jeffrey Wilson, who is normally responsible for swearing in new judges, could not attend the ceremony on Monday but that he sends his best.
Shropshire was chosen by Gov. Jared Polis to fill the vacancy left by District Judge William Herringer, who retired on March 9. She was selected from a group of 10 people who wanted to be chosen for the judgeship.
Shropshire thanked people for attending her swearing-in ceremony. She said she appreciates people’s support and is excited to get started. Her first hearing as a district judge was scheduled for later that afternoon.
“I’m looking forward to it and I hope I do a good job,” she said. “So thank you very much.”
Shropshire has lived in Durango since 2005. She has worked as a staff attorney for Colorado Legal Services since 2006, practicing civil law in issues related to poverty, including family law, housing and public benefits such as Medicaid, Social Security and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, according to her judicial application. She also served as a staff attorney for Colorado Legal Services from 2001 to 2003.
From 2003 to 2006, she was a practitioner for her own office, according to her application.
She has represented children in the juvenile justice system and through court appointment as a guardian ad litem by the Ute Mountain Ute CFR court. She has also represented members of the Southern Ute Tribe in Tribal Court in dependency and neglect actions, domestic relations and protection order hearings, according to her judicial application.
Her work in family law was primarily focused on cases related to domestic violence and included protection of victims and their children.
cburney@durangoherald.com
