The 6th Judicial District has announced the addition of a new La Plata County Court judgeship, with applications open until early May, according to a news release from the Colorado Judicial Branch.
The new judge will preside over county court, which handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases under $25,000, eviction proceedings and protection orders.
Currently, only one judge – Reid Stewart – oversees La Plata County Court.
A second judge will bring much-needed relief to an overburdened judiciary, said Chief District Judge Jeffrey Wilson. For the past 10 years, La Plata County Court has been the most overworked in Colorado.
The number of cases has increased in recent years, and with only one judge handling the heavy caseload, the judicial process often deviates from standard timelines for adjudication, Wilson said. He pointed to busy dockets, longer court days and slower case resolutions as ongoing issues.
“On top of that, the judge has to make sure things move along quickly,” Wilson said. “And there's a feeling of being rushed sometimes by the people in front of him. And it's not his fault, but he's got to get things done. He's got to get it done within a certain amount of time.”
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet May 27 to interview and select nominees for appointment by Gov. Jared Polis. The appointed judge will take the bench on July 1.
Commission members include James Garrett from Pagosa Springs; Sarah Moore from Silverton; and Maya Kane, Barrie Newberger King, James Cross and Paul DeBell of Durango.
Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Colorado and registered to vote in La Plata County by the time they are sworn in.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. May 7. The names of applicants will be made public after the application period closes.
Those interested in nominating a candidate may submit a letter to the nominating committee and the ex officio chair. Letters must be received by 4 p.m. April 30 to be considered.
Once appointed by Polis, the judge will serve a provisional two-year term. Voters will then decide whether to retain the judge for a full four-year term.
The annual salary for the position is $190,245.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
