Seven candidates are seeking the newly created La Plata County Court judgeship in the 6th Judicial District.
The position was created to provide relief to the overworked La Plata County Court, which is currently presided over by a single judge – Reid Stewart.
The new judge will preside over county court, which hears misdemeanors, traffic offenses, civil cases under $25,000, eviction proceedings and protection orders.
The applicants are Matthew Bayma of Telluride; Matthew Margeson of Bayfield; Richard Schmittel of Westminster; and Katie Dittelberger, Jason Eley, Shane Goranson and Douglas Reynolds, all from Durango.
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on May 27 to interview candidates and select nominees for appointment by Gov. Jared Polis.
Once appointed, the judge will take the bench July 1 and serve a provisional two-year term. Voters will later decide whether to retain the judge for a full four-year term.
Public comments on any of the candidates are encouraged and may be sent to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, Justice Richard Gabriel at E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203, or via email to judicial.vacancies@judicial.state.co.us.
Commission members include James Garrett of Pagosa Springs; Sarah Moore of Silverton; and Maya Kane, Barrie Newberger King, James Cross and Paul DeBell of Durango.
Comments are due by 4 p.m. Monday.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
