Colorado Governor Jared Polis has announced the appointment of Lisa C. Arnolds and Nikea T. Bland as a District Court Judges in the Second Judicial District, to fill judgeships created by Senate Bill 19-043. 

The Second Judicial District covers Denver County.

Arnolds is a Supervising Attorney with the Colorado State Public Defender in Denver, a position she has held since 2018.  Her practice consists of criminal law, with a specialty in treatment courts and restorative justice. Previously, she was a solo practitioner and contractor with Alternate Defense Counsel (2016-2018), and a Deputy State Public Defender with the Colorado State Public Defender (2007-2016). Arnolds earned her B.A. from Seattle University in 1996, and her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in 2006.

Bland is a Senior Associate at O’Malley and Sawyer, LLC, a position she has held since 2011.  Her practice consists of criminal defense, as well as dependency and neglect matters as respondent parent counsel.  Previously, she was an Associate Attorney with Elkus and Sisson, P.C. (2009-2011); Associate General Counsel with United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 7 (2009); and Deputy State Public Defender with the Colorado State Public Defender (2005-2009). Bland earned her B.A from University of Richmond in 2000, and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2005.

Both appointments are effective January 1, 2020.