Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has appointed a former prosecutor to serve as La Plata County Court judge.
Reid R. Steward of Hesperus was named to the position on Friday. The vacancy was originally created after former Judge Anne Woods lost a retention vote in November’s general election. Polis selected Anthony Baca to fill Woods’ position, but then chose instead to move Baca to the 6th Judicial District bench after Judge Todd Norvell announced he was stepping down.
The county court judge oversees lower offenses such as misdemeanors and civil cases of $25,000 or less. It carries a busy workload. Since Woods lost her retention vote Nov. 8 and resigned the following day, the position has been filled by interim judges from the state’s senior judge program. It is part of Colorado state statute that retired judges from across the state enter into the program. They can then be contracted for a period of time ranging from 15 to 90 days of service.
Stewart, who said he planned to open a law practice in Durango before his appointment, was nominated by the 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission for consideration by the governor for the same position once before, but lost out to Baca. Stewart had also applied for the position now held by Baca on the 6th Judicial District bench.
Stewart is self-employed as a motor carrier, a position he has held since 2022, according to a news release from the governor’s office announcing Stewart’s appointment, which went on to say he negotiates and reviews carrier/broker agreements. Stewart was previously a deputy district attorney for the 6th Judicial District from 2009-2022.
According to the release, Stewart was an associate attorney from 2001-2008 and an assistant district attorney in Kaufman County, Texas, from 1999-2001. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1995 and his J.D. from Texas Wesleyan School of Law in 1998.
Stewart will serve a two-year term before standing for retention in the next general election. The annual salary for the position is $175,908.
Stewart did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.
gjaros@durangoherald.com
