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August 25, 2011 01:02 AM UTC

Who Wants to Be a Colorado Supreme Court Justice?

  • 59 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced today that Colorado Supreme Court Justice Alex Martinez has accepted the position of Manager of Safety for the City and County of Denver. That’s good news for the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, which finally has something to do.

Martinez has served on the Colorado Supreme Court since being appointed by then-Gov. Roy Romer in 1996; he is the second-longest serving member of the bench, behind only Justice Gregory Hobbs in seniority. Martinez has not officially resigned from the Supreme Court, but once he does, The Supreme Court Nomination Commission will have 30 days to come up with three nominees for the bench to submit to Gov. John Hickenlooper…who then has 15 days to pick a new Justice.

Full press releases from Hancock and Hickenlooper after the jump.

From Denver Mayor Michael Hancock:

Mayor Hancock Announces Appointment of Manager of Safety

DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced today that Colorado Supreme Court Justice Alex J. Martinez is stepping away from the state’s highest court to serve as the Manager of Safety for the City and County of Denver.

“The Manager of Safety is one of the most important positions in my Cabinet, particularly at a time when we must restore public trust and confidence in Denver’s safety agencies,” Mayor Hancock said. “Justice Martinez brings the highest level of integrity, a deep commitment to fairness and justice, and a well-earned level of respect from the legal and public-safety communities. I am grateful he has agreed to serve the citizens of Denver in this capacity.”

The Manager of Safety provides civilian oversight of the Police, Fire and Sheriff’s departments. Justice Martinez’s appointment will be effective Nov. 1.  Interim Safety Manager Ashley Kilroy will continue to serve in this capacity until Justice Martinez assumes his new role. At that time, Kilroy will become Deputy Manager of Safety.

During this time of transition, Martinez will assist in the search for a new police chief for the City.

“I am thankful to Mayor Hancock for this opportunity and for his understanding to make the transition in a way that minimizes the impact on the Colorado Supreme Court,” Justice Martinez said. “For over 25 years, I have worked to ensure the rightful application of the law and a high-level of safety for the people of Colorado, and I look forward to continuing my work within this new and challenging position.”

Mayor Hancock said Justice Martinez will provide strong leadership within the community, building trust and strengthening communications and relationships between city government and Denver’s diverse communities.

Among Justice Martinez’s highest priorities will be to ensure swift and fair discipline, and to maintain the consistent application of professional standards, integrity and codes of conduct.

Justice Martinez was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 1996 by then-Gov. Roy Romer and was retained by voters in 2000 and 2010.

“Having served 14 years on the bench with Justice Martinez, I wholeheartedly support him in his new endeavor,” Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael L. Bender said. “Justice Martinez has made enormous contributions to the operation of Colorado’s courts and its jurisprudence. With that, and his long record of service to the state, he will be greatly missed, but I have no doubt he will excel in this position.”

Justice Martinez has been recognized by the Colorado Freedom of Information Council for his efforts to maximize public access to records of the courts, supporting a balance between the public’s interest in access to information and an individual’s privacy interests.

Justice Martinez began his career as a Deputy State Public Defender. In 1983, then-Gov. Richard Lamm appointed Martinez to the Pueblo County Court bench. Five years later he was appointed the District Court for the Tenth Judicial District by then-Gov. Roy Romer.

Serving within the Colorado judicial system for 28 years, Justice Martinez is renowned for being fair and balanced. He has built a reputation of approaching all cases impartially and taking into consideration every aspect of every case.

Justice Martinez has also been a community leader, receiving such accolades as the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association and the William Lee Knous Award, the highest award of the University of Colorado School of Law given for outstanding achievement and sustained service.

“I am confident Justice Martinez will carry on his reputation of bringing an independent approach to his work,” Mayor Hancock said. “He will be a key asset as we strive to rebuild and restore the trust between our residents and our departments of safety.”

From Gov. John Hickenlooper:

DENVER ­- Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011 – Gov. John Hickenlooper today released this statement about Justice Alex Martinez deciding to leave the Colorado Supreme Court to become Manager of Safety for the City of Denver:

“Justice Martinez has served Colorado with great integrity and distinction. We wish him equal amounts of success in his new role at the City of Denver.”

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will have 30 days to solicit applicants and screen candidates to replace Martinez once he formally resigns from the bench in the coming weeks. The Commission will then send the names of three nominees to the governor for consideration. The governor will then have 15 days to name a new justice from candidates selected by the nominating commission.

###

About the Supreme Court Nominating Commission

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission recommends candidates to serve as judges for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. The chief justice of the Supreme Court chairs the commission and is a non-voting member. This commission includes one citizen admitted to practice law in Colorado and one citizen not admitted to practice law residing in each of the state’s seven congressional districts, and one additional citizen not admitted to practice law in Colorado.

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59 thoughts on “Who Wants to Be a Colorado Supreme Court Justice?”

  1. Leaving a spot on the Colorado Supreme Court for the nothingburger job of Manager of Safety — a grueling job that consists of occasionally having lunch with the only two people you supervise, the fire chief and police chief.  Maybe he gets a big pay raise and that might help him build his PERA average.   But its like stepping down from the Rockies to play AA ball in Dubuque.

            1. I’ve been on plenty of ride-alongs with cops all over the metro area, and the ONLY cops I’ve ever heard joking about beating up perps in an alley being a “stress reliever” are Denver cops. Other forces have their issues, but there’s an ugly culture buried deep in DPD, and it erupts far too often.

                1. It’s terrible out there, you’ll get no argument from me on that. But 95 percent of Denver cops seem to handle it OK. The ones who take their frustrations out on suspects, until recently, didn’t have anything to worry about, and that’s a problem.

                    1. Police need to have a clear expectation that they must perform their job properly or they will face consequences. Otherwise the concept of law and order breaks down as they become just another gang on the street.

                    2. Again, an offer.  Come along on a ride along and then talk shit about how you know better than cops on the street.

                    3. constitutional premise about being innocent until proven guilty by a jury of one’s peers? That idea must be too radical for ellbee, there goes his love of the constitution

                    4. what an enjoyable thread.  Ellbee dares RedGreen to go on a ridealong.  RedGreen has gone on a ridealong and sticks with original statement.  Ellbee declares those weren’t real ridealongs because RedGreen’s observations were different.

                      Do I have that correct?

                    5. There are 1400 guys on the job in Denver and to read anything about it here, they’re all bloodthirsty, racist killers.  That’s a giant bunch of shit, and I wish some of you would educate yourselves and go spend a day in their shoes.

                    6. so your MD and Pharmacist only have to be right 95% of the time too.

                      Doesn’t the DPD take and oath to serve and protect? How is beating a suspect or even murdering one serving or protecting?  

                    7. There are 1400 guys on the job in Denver and to read anything about it here, they’re all bloodthirsty, racist killers

                      As you would say, Elbee: “Nope.” RedGreen and Irish Patti, the main protagonists on this thread, actually said the following:

                      maybe the DPD needs to control the beating and murder it does and morale will improve

                      I’ve been on plenty of ride-alongs with cops all over the metro area, and the ONLY cops I’ve ever heard joking about beating up perps in an alley being a “stress reliever” are Denver cops. Other forces have their issues, but there’s an ugly culture buried deep in DPD, and it erupts far too often.

                      95 percent of Denver cops seem to handle it OK. The ones who take their frustrations out on suspects, until recently, didn’t have anything to worry about, and that’s a problem.

                      But yeah, you keep on refuting the nobody who’s saying “There are 1400 guys on the job in Denver and … they’re all bloodthirsty, racist killers.” That nobody is one opponent your debating skills are capable of taking down.

                    9. RedGreen is very, very credible in my eyes as well, but I happen to work alongside some of these guys, but I think some of the assessments he/she made are unfair.

                      As far as patti goes, I’m not going to waste my time even replying to a lunatic like her any more.  She accused the DPD of murder, and she can kiss my squirrel.

                    10. your bullshit, you lost your argument. I am sure your squirel is crawling with the plague; one the inherent dangers on living out west.  

                    12. 10 years ago the DPD had a killing problem, with the murder of Mena by the DPD and when they shot that 12 year old in the back for nothing.

                      Today the DPD is involved in few questionable shootings.  The problem is the pervasive culture of violence: particularily as directed at minorities.

                      Frankly, I don’t give 2 tits what the DPD morale is like. They are well paid and I expect them to act like professionals.  Enforce the law, don’t break it and we won’t have a problem.

                    13. A. Booker died while under Denver Sheriff’s custody.

                      B. He was high and his heart quit.

                      C. He was never tazed, you fucking idiot.

                      D. I want you to think about what a total moron you are the next time you need help from the police.  

                    18. You jerk.

                      You’ve been blaming DPD for the Booker death, and you have no fucking clue (as usual) what you’re talking about.

                      Since you’re also so great with internet links, ass, google what Rosenthal (who would prefer to fire every single Denver officer, just because) had to say about the Sheriffs involved in Booker’s death.

                      You are a disgrace.  Just wanted to clarify that.  I hope that someday when you need help from a cop, that you apologize for what a fool you are being right now.

                    19. You do realize that the investigation is for both the Police and Sheriff departments. How much of my tax dollars are going to pay out because the Denver’s law enforcement doesn’t think that civil rights matter?

                    20. You dumbass. Answer my question. Did you have the slightest clue that you are blaming DPD for something they never touched?

  4. Mike Rosen !!!  Anything to get him off the radio, out of the newspaper, and all but vanished from the public consciousness.  He would be largely all but impotent, and most importantly, a government employee !

    1. I’m sure I know even less than you.  I should be the one selected.  Besides, I can write more while saying less, a characteristic important for a judge.

  7. Hick should appoint someone with great strength in water law

    Also of great importance is going to be to get someone with a lot of support for private property rights  

      1. If he would promise to stay on the court for 30 years and not use it as a springboard. Ex-legislators have oftentimes been superb Supreme Court justices – they understand how legislation actually works.

        2. geez David. You’re wanting Hick to appoint someone with ZERO legal experience to the Sumpreme Court of CO??? Just because we like him?

          He is qualified to teach a course on legislation at a law school. Probably a few other positions if he has passed the bar.

        3. to be eligible for the Supremes, though you can presume that the eventual candidates will have a great deal more experience than that. You do not have to be a priest to be elected Pope, but it sure helps.  

            1. I would bet that the prototypical “reasonable person” would do just as good a job, if not even better, than anyone on the court currently.  

      1. I nominate Scott McInnis.

        With Rolley Fischer as law clerk.

        At least in this scenario Coloradans will know for certain what they’re getting — the important decsions have all already been written.

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