Six candidates have applied for an open judgeship in the 6th Judicial District, which includes Archuleta, San Juan and La Plata counties.
The candidates are Jodie L. Behrmann of Grand Junction; Andrew Hughes of Pagosa Springs; Janice C. Orr of Bailey; and Sean P. Murray, Todd P. Norvell and David K. Ottman, all of Durango.
All six are licensed attorneys.
Ottman has worked with Colorado Legal Services, in private practice, as a prosecutor in Farmington for five years, and joined the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in 2009.
Norvell is a former FBI agent, has worked as a prosecutor for the 6th Judicial District, and currently serves as assistant U.S. Attorney in Durango.
Murray used to work as a public defender in Durango before becoming assistant district attorney for the 22nd Judicial District in Cortez.
Hughes used to work as a prosecutor for the 6th Judicial District, but efforts to reach him Monday for additional comment were unsuccessful.
Efforts to reach Behrmann and Orr also were unsuccessful Monday evening.
A vacancy is being created with the retirement of Chief District Judge Gregory Lyman, who has served 20 years.
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Aug. 23 to select two or three candidates to forward to Gov. John Hickenlooper, who will appoint the new judge.
The new judge must reside somewhere in the district by the time he or she takes the oath of office.
The new judge will earn $159,320 and serve a provisional two-year term. Then the public will vote on whether to retain the judge.
All Colorado judges are first appointed, before facing a public retention vote.
shane@durangoherald.com
To comment about a candidate
Comments about the six candidates for 6th Judicial District judge can be directed to any member of the Nominating Commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, Justice Brian D. Boatright, 2 E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203, or they may be e-mailed to judicial.vacancies@judicial.state.co.us, no later than Aug. 15.
Letters can be sent to:
John Baxter, 1099 Main Ave., No. 500, Durango, CO 81301.
Bobby Duthie, 1010 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Stephen Fearn, P.O. Box 468, Silverton, CO 81433.
James Ford, P.O. Box 4490, Pagosa Springs, CO 81157.
Kim Martin, 6451 County Road 100, Hesperus, CO 81326.
Lisa Scott, P.O. Box 5680, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.
Thomas Shipps P.O. Box 2717, Durango, CO 81302.
