craigdailypress.com

State officials are seeking applicants for Moffat County Court judge.

Moffat County Judge Mary Lynne James is retiring in January after 22 years on the bench.

The 14th Judicial District Nom--inating Commission will nominate three candidates to Gov. Bill Owens, who will appoint a new judge.

The commission, which consists of six residents of the judicial district, will meet in Craig on Aug. 21 to interview candidates and make its selection.

Judges serve a provisional term of two years. After that, if voters re-elect them, they serve four-year terms. The position pays $59,000 a year.

Karen Salaz, a spokeswoman for the Colorado State Judicial Branch, said the commission will probably make its recommendation to the governor on Aug. 21 or shortly thereafter.

The governor will have 15 days to make his appointment.

"That's why our Judicial Nom--inating Commissions are so important," Salaz said.

Applicants must live in Moffat County and must have at least a GED.

Unlike district court judges, county court judges do not need a law degree.

Salaz said seven of the 275 county judges in Colorado do not have law degrees.

The majority of the applicants for judgeships are lawyers, Salaz said.

In some rural counties with small populations, it can be difficult to find residents who want to become judges, Salaz said.

But Salaz said she doesn't expect that to be the case in Moffat County.

Commission member Robert Aaberg of Craig said the commission is looking for the three best candidates.

"We just try to choose the best three," Aaberg said.

Commission member Tim Jantz of Maybell said one of the factors that the group considers is whether the judge will stay in Moffat County.

Because the nominating process is so complex, the commission wants judges who will serve on the bench for a while.

But above all else, the commission wants someone who will be a fair judge, Jantz said.

Application forms are available from the office of the Ex-Officio Chair of the Nominating Commission, Justice Nathan B. Coats, 2 East 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203; the office of the District Administrator, Evan Herman, Routt County Courthouse, P.O. Box 773117, 522 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, and the office of the Clerk of the Court for Moffat County, Diana Meyer, 221 W. Victory Way, Craig, CO 81625. Applications are also available on the court's home page at www.courts.state.co.us/exec/media/vacancy.htm.

The original and seven copies of the application must be filed with the ex-officio chair no later than 3 p.m. Aug. 10. Late applications will not be considered.

Brandon Johansson can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 213, or bjohansson@craigdailypress.com.