Judicial & Legislative News
Chief Judge Order Regarding Court Operations Beginning July 6, 2021
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
The term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty of the
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, expires on
February 14, 2022. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of a magistrate judge to a new eight-year term. The duties of a magistrate judge in this court include the following: (1) conduct preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from a district judge; and (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants. Pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 40.1(c), all full-time magistrate judges are included in the assignment of civil cases by random draw. Parties in cases assigned directly to a magistrate judge are required to indicate, through the filing of a consent form by a date certain, whether they accept or decline consent to magistrate judge jurisdiction. The basic authority of a United States magistrate judge is specified in 28 U.S.C. 636.
Written comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the court. All comments should be submitted electronically by email, or as a PDF attachment to an email, to the Office of the Clerk of Court: cod_magistratejudge_comments@cod.uscourts.gov
(cod_magistratejudge_comments@cod.uscourts.gov).
Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 25, 2021.
Download Judge Bain's Order
Order Regarding Safety in Colorado Courthouses
With the recent shift in federal and state guidance regarding mask and social distancing requirements, and given the inconsistency in local public health guidance throughout the pandemic, I am hereby entering this order to ensure safe operations in Colorado courthouses.
Safety is paramount in state court operations. Not only do our courthouses see a large volume of in person traffic, our necessary and critical operations compel attendance from members of the public for extended periods of time, Colorado courts should continue to err on the side of safety for assembly in both public and private areas to promote public safety and public confidence in our operations.
Accordingly, I hereby order that all persons continue to wear facial coverings in all public areas of courthouses and probation offices through June 18,2021.
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The Chief Judge is providing an update to the Judicial Officer list of those who may be contacted re: Criminal Settlement Conferences. Please see the list below. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Additionally, please distribute the updated list to your colleagues and staff. Please be advised you will need to contact the division clerk for any of the judicial officers listed below to request the conference. Your email to any division clerk should include the defendant’s name and case number at the time of the request.
Settlement conferences judges:
Chief Judge Bain
Judge Henson
Judge Prince
Judge Grohs
Judge Bentley
Judge Werner
Judge Gilbert
Judge Billings-Vela
Judge D. Miller
Judge Mitchell-Helton
CJO 20-23 covers the confidentiality of these conferences.
Chief Judge Order 21-06
Court Operations beginning May 6, 2021
El Paso County Court judge finalists selected
Governor to appoint new county court judge
The Fourth Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for an El Paso County Court judgeship created by the appointment to the District Court of the Hon. Laura Findorff. The vacancy occurred on April 1, 2021. Nominees Marika Frady, Steven Katzman and Amanda Philipps, all of Colorado Springs, were selected in a meeting on April 21, 2021.
Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from April 22, 2021, within which to appoint one of the nominees as county court judge for El Paso County.
Comments regarding any of the nominees may be sent via e-mail to the governor at gov_judicialappointments@state.co.us
Editor’s Note: Contact information for the three nominees
See PDF
Help CJI Recognize Colorado's Outstanding Judicial Officers!
Please join the Colorado Judicial Institute in celebrating Colorado’s outstanding jurists by nominating a judge or magistrate and by helping spread the word about the Judicial Excellence Awards. The only way CJI finds out about the talented, hardworking jurists across our state is by hearing from people like you!
Nominations and the names of nominators are kept strictly confidential.
Submit Your Nominations Online
Congratulations to Judge Findorff!
Governor Jared Polis appointed Laura Norris Findorff to the District Court of the 4th Judicial District on March 11, 2021. This judgeship is created by the retirement of the Honorable Robert L. Lowrey. The appointment is effective April 1, 2021.
Findorff is currently a County Court Judge in El Paso County, a position she has held since 2013. Judge Findorff serves on the 4th JD Civil Pro Bono Committee. Previously, Findorff was a Magistrate in the 18th Judicial District (2009-2012); Legal Research Attorney in the 18th Judicial District (2008-2009); Of Counsel at Haskins & Cyboron (2006-2007); Senior Editor at LexisNexis (2001-2006); Law Clerk at Gentry & Haskins (2001); Adjunct Professor at Pikes Peak Community College (2000-2001); Research Attorney at Spence, Moriarity & Schuster in Jackson, Wyoming (1997-2000); Senior Associate Attorney at Cummins & White in Newport Beach, California (1992-1997); Associate at Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett in Orange, California (1989-1992); and a Staff Member at Deloitte & Touche in Irvine, CA (1988-1989). Findorff earned her B.B.A. from the University of San Diego in 1984 and her J.D. from the University of San Diego in 1988.
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