Chambers of Kerri Lombardi – Presiding Judge
Denver County Court Judicial Nomination Commission Advances Three Nominees for Denver County Court Judge to Mayor Mike Johnston
The Denver County Court Judicial Nomination Commission yesterday submitted the following three nominees to Mayor Mike Johnston to fill the vacancy created by the Honorable Judge James Zobel.
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 Charter, for judicial vacancies for the mayor’s consideration.
By charter, Mayor Johnston now has fifteen 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 October 21, 2024. After appointment by the mayor, that judge will stand for retention election. If at least fifty percent of the electorate vote “Yes,” the 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.
For further information, please contact:
Esther Lee Leach, Senior Advisor, Community Partnerships
Denver Mayor’s Office
esther.leeleach@denvergov.org