Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) has announced an additional opportunity to apply for the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, one of the busiest courts in the country with more than 500 weighted cases per judgeship. The number of judgeships on the court – seven – has remained the same for over 30 years, despite the state’s population growing by more than 70 percent and judicial workload remaining well above the national average. 

The vacancy was created on the court in April 2016 when Judge Robert Blackburn moved to senior status. Eight months prior to the vacancy, Gardner announced his office established a Judicial Evaluation Committee to identify qualified applicants to fill the vacancy. In November 2015, Gardner recommended four potential nominees the White House. While President Obama nominated one of Gardner’s recommendations, the nominee was not confirmed.

“The search to fill the Colorado judgeship began nearly a year prior to the vacancy in order to ensure that an already busy court is not understaffed,” said Gardner. “It is critical that the process to fill the vacancy remains thorough and expeditious. That is why I have requested the Judicial Evaluation Committee provide recommendations within 30 days so that I can send potential nominees to President-elect Trump as soon as possible.”

Those interested in applying for the vacancy must submit an initial application, which is available online here. Completed applications must be submitted by January 30, 2017 to the following email: ColoradoVacancy@gmail.com. Finalists will be asked to complete a more in-depth application prior to interviewing with the Committee. Individuals who applied through the last process and wish to be considered again must submit this initial application.

The Judicial Evaluation Committee consists of leaders in the Colorado legal field who served on the prior Committee:

Jon Anderson, (Chair) Holland and Hart

Michael O'Donnell, Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell

Raymond M. Deeny, Sherman and Howard

Robert Miller, Perkins Coie (Retired)