Finalists have been selected for Archuleta County judge and 6th Judicial District judged based in Durango, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch.
The finalists for 6th Judicial District judge are Katie Dittelberger of Durango, Anthony Edwards of Silverton and Reid Stewart of Hesperus. They were selected by the 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission.
Finalists for the Archuleta County Court seat are Edwards and Matthew Gregory Margeson of Bayfield.
In an Oct. 2 email to The Durango Herald, Colorado Judicial Branch spokeswoman Amy Woodward said county court judges handle lower-level criminal cases and civil disputes involving less than $25,000. District courts handle more serious criminal cases and higher dollar civil matters.
“County court cases can be appealed to the district court, whereas district court cases are appealed to the Court of Appeals,” Woodward said.
The 6th Judicial District Court seat is being vacated by Chief Judge Jeffrey Wilson. The Archuleta County Court seat is being vacated by Judge Justin Fay.
Because Wilson serves as chief judge for the 6th Judicial District, his replacement will be appointed by Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica Márquez, not Gov. Jared Polis.
Wilson is set to retire Jan. 2.
Fay, who was appointed to the 6th Judicial District Court seat vacated by Judge Suzanne Carlson, will have his county court seat filled by Gov. Polis, Woodward said.
The governor and the chief justice have 15 days to make their appointments.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
