Six candidates are looking to serve as district judge in the 6th Judicial District, which will be vacated by Judge Suzanne Carlson upon her retirement this fall.
The district encompasses Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties, and the selected candidate will oversee a range of civil and criminal cases.
The applicants are Justin Fay of Pagosa Springs; Matthew Margeson of Bayfield; Kristen McLaughlin of Dove Creek; Reid Stewart of Hesperus; and Ashley Dean Powell and Douglas Reynolds, both from Durango.
Reynolds and Margeson both previously applied for the newly created La Plata County judgeship earlier this year.
Stewart is currently serving as La Plata County Court judge. If selected, his appointment would create another vacancy in the 6th Judicial District, triggering a third judicial search process this year.
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Aug. 4 to interview and select nominees for appointment by Gov. Jared Polis.
Once appointed, the judge will take the bench Oct. 1.
The annual salary for the position is $198,798.
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 Maria Berkenkotter, at 2 E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203, or via email to judicial.vacancies@judicial.state.co.us.
Members of the nominating commission are James Garrett, Sarah Moore, Maya Kane, Barrie Newberger King, James Cross and Paul DeBell.
Comments are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
