Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The names of Northwest Colorado residents nominated to replace 14th Judicial District Judge Joel Thompson are released today.

The 14th Judicial District Nominating Commission interviewed candidates for the vacancy Wednesday in Steamboat Springs.

Ten men and women applied for Thompson's seat.

They include Ann Carey, Gary Engle, Erick Nordstrom, Polly St. James and J. Richard Tremaine of Steamboat Springs, 14th Judicial District Attorney Paul McLimans of Hot Sulphur Springs, Sandra Gardner and Chief Deputy District Attorney David Waite of Craig, Ronald Servis of Granby and Sue Ann Fitch of Grand Lake.

All of the candidates have practiced law in Colorado for at least five years and live within the 14th Judicial District, which comprises Routt, Moffat and Grand counties.

The judicial nominating commission recommends two or three people to Gov. Bill Owens, who then appoints one of the nominees as judge.

The Colorado Constitution gives Owens 15 days to make his appointment, but he could announce his decision earlier.

Applications for Thompson's seat were filed with Colorado Supreme Court Justice Michael Bender.

Bender presided over the commission's interviews and deliberations. He did not vote on the candidates.

Supreme Court justices oversee the selection process and offer guidance to members of judicial nomination commissions.

Thompson submitted his resignation Nov. 6 to the Colorado Supreme Court after voters in the 14th Judicial District did not return him to office.

He will leave the bench Jan. 5, nine days before his term expires.

Seven people represent Routt, Moffat and Grand counties on the commission. They are Sue Birch, George Bagwell and Ron Smith of Steamboat Springs, Robert Aaberg, Jerry Vogelsang and William Lawrence of Craig and Rodney McGowan of Granby.