FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026
CONTACT: Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi
Kerri.Lombardi@denvercountycourt.org
Finalists Selected for Denver County Court Judge
Judicial Nomination Commission Advances Six Names to Mayor
DENVER—The Denver County Court Judicial Nomination Commission has submitted the following six nominees to Mayor Mike Johnston to fill the vacancies created by the passing of the Honorable Judge Andre Rudolph and the resignation of the Honorable Judge Barry Schwartz.
“This is an incredibly strong group of nominees, each with the character, 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 the mayor 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 to the Denver County Court bench. 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 judges. Mayor Johnston will interview the nominees and announce his selection for the judicial vacancies on or before September 25, 2026. 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, Chair
- Simon Tafoya
- Nathaniel “Nate” Easley
- Janet Drake
- Dimonique McGruder
- Chris Castilian
- Barbara Archer
- Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi- Ex-Officio
To provide feedback to Mayor Johnston regarding these nominees, please send any comments or letters to:
Molegislativeaffairs@denvergov.org