FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2025
CONTACT: Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi
Kerri.Lombardi@denvercountycourt.org
Finalists Selected for Denver County Court Judge
Judicial Nomination Commission Advances Three Names to Mayor
DENVER—The Denver County Court Judicial Nomination Commission today submitted the following three nominees to Mayor Mike Johnston to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Judge Clarisse Gonzales.
ARNIE BECKMAN MARGUERITE CONBOY JAIME COWAN
“Each nominee has the integrity, intelligence and judicial temperament to be a fair and impartial judge,” said Denver County Court Presiding Judge and Ex-Officio JNC member Kerri Lombardi. “On behalf of the JNC, we are confident that the people of Denver will be well served by whichever of these
outstanding candidates Mayor Johnston selects.”
The Judicial Nomination Commission (JNC) accepts applications for judicial vacancies, screens the applicants, and recommends a shortlist of the best-qualified candidates to the mayor for appointment. During the confidential process in which the JNC considers the candidates, the commissioners apply
rigorous and consistent standards for merit, legal experience, ability, and integrity. The JNC members carefully review the applications and select candidates to interview. After the interviews and much deliberation, the JNC members select a number of nominees, set by the Denver City Charter, for judicial vacancies for the mayor’s consideration.
Per the charter, Mayor Johnston now has 15 days in which to appoint the new Denver County Court judge. Mayor Johnston will interview the nominees and announce his selection for the judicial vacancy on or before April 3, 2025. After appointment, that judge will stand for retention election and if at least 50 percent of the electorate vote “yes,” that judge is retained for a four-year term.
The Judicial Nomination Commission is established in the charter. It is composed of three attorneys and four non-attorneys who are appointed by the mayor to serve a four-year term. The Presiding Judge of the Denver County Court, Kerri Lombardi, serves in an ex-officio advisory capacity. When a judicial vacancy is created, the presiding judge announces the vacancy and the timeline in which to apply for nomination.
The Members of the Judicial Nomination Commission are:
Kristin Bronson
Patricia Cortez
Michelle DeVoe
Janet Drake
Nathaniel Easley
Janice Sinden
Simon Tafoya
Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi- Ex-Officio
For further information, please contact:
Esther Lee Leach, Senior Advisor, Community Partnerships
Denver Mayor’s Office
Esther.Leeleach@denvergov.org
Or send comments or letters to:
judicialappointment@denvergov.org