a refreshing approach to judicial nominations

Transparency! A judicial nominating commission in Colorado has disclosed the names of all applicants prior to making formal nominations.
 
Kudos to the 14th Judicial District (Grand, Moffat and Routt counties – Hot Sulphur Springs, Craig and Steamboat Springs)!
 
Below are the names of 16 individuals who have applied to be a district court judge in the district. Unlike the judicial performance commissions, where one state commission makes the rules for all commissions to follow, each nominating commission makes its own rules. The nominating commission for the 14th Judicial District has a rule requiring transparency.
 
Most nominating commissions only make public the names of the ultimate nominees. But the nominating commission for the 14th is making public all applicants so you can comment on them. This is an improvement in the judicial selection process.
 
If you know the applicants, or have an opinion, you’re encouraged to send your comments to the ex officio chair of the commission, Justice Melissa Hart, at [email protected]. Please include 14th Judicial District and the applicant’s name in the subject line.
 
It is interesting to note that if the judicial branch followed the Colorado Constitution and required the candidates to be residents of the judicial district at the time they are selected to be a judge, the list would be reduced to 9.
 
The commission will meet via videoconference on Aug. 28, 2020, to consider the candidates, so be sure to get your comments in before the 28th.
 
Here is some info we were able to put together about the applicants:
 
Jay Cranmer, currently an attorney with his own practice in Craig, where he focuses on family law. He received his college degree from the University of Kansas and his law degree from DU in 2003.
 
Kristina Doran, currently an attorney with Klauzer & Tremaine in Steamboat Springs, where she focuses on criminal law. Previously, she was a prosecutor.  She received her college degree from CU in 2005 and her law degree from CU in 2010.
 
Sandra Gardner, a former judge for the Moffat County Court, serving from 2006 to 2020. She resigned from the court on August 1, 2020. She was an attorney in private practice prior to joining the court. She received her college degree from Colorado College in 1985 and her law degree from Emory University (Georgia) in 1991.
 
Steven Jensen, currently a deputy DA in Jefferson County. He has been a deputy DA in that district since 1988 and was a Deputy DA in Pueblo before that. He received his college degree from the University of Southern Colorado in 1981 and his law degree from CU in 1984.
 
Matthew Karzen, currently the DA in the 14th Judicial District
 
Emily Kelley, currently an attorney with Ethos Legal Services in Steamboat Springs, where she focuses on criminal defense, civil litigation and marijuana compliance law. She received her college degree from Colorado College in 2008 and her law degree from DU in 2012. 
 
Jonathan Lucero, currently an associate judge in Englewood Municipal Court and a relief judge in Aurora Municipal Court. Prior to that he worked as a magistrate in Denver County Court and also worked in private practice focusing on litigation. He received his college degree from CU in 2004 and his law degree from CU in 2007.
 
Trevor McFee, currently an attorney with a solo practice focusing on criminal law in Denver. Previously he was a public defender. He received his law degree from DU in 2002.
 
Natascha O’Flaherty, currently a trustee for the city of Granby. She became licensed as an attorney in Colorado in 1992.
 
Stephen Peters, currently an attorney in Winter Park, where he focuses on litigation. Previously he was an assistant US Attorney for the district of Colorado. He received his law degree from Duke in 1983. He lives in Fraser.
 
Zachary Phillips, currently an assistant US Attorney in Denver. Previously, he was a deputy DA. He received his college degree from Lake Forest College (Illinois) in 1989 and his law degree from DU in 1999.
 
Casey Quillen, currently a trial lawyer in Steamboat Springs with Sharp, Sherman, & Engle, LLC. Her practice is focused on general litigation, with an emphasis on business disputes, mechanics liens, landlord/tenant, and personal injury. She received her college degree from the University of North Carolina in 2001 and her law degree from CU in 2004.
 
Jennifer Shaler, currently an attorney with Chayet & Danzo, a Denver law firm focusing on Elder law. She received her college degree from the University of Kansas and her law degree from DU.
 
David Wilson, currently an attorney with Sherman & Howard in Denver, where he focuses on arbitration and litigation of business disputes. He received his college degree from the University of Texas in 1983 and his law degree from the University of Texas in 1986.
 
Erin Wilson, currently in solo practice focusing on criminal law in Steamboat Springs. 
 
Julia Yates, currently an attorney and freelance photographer in Fort Collins. She received her law degree from the University of Wyoming in 1997.

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