Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that the bipartisan advisory committee he convened to recommend applicants to fill an upcoming vacancy on the U.S. District Court of Colorado has selected three nominees. After interviewing 11 candidates the committee chose Magistrate Judge Kristin Mix, Regina Rodriguez, and Sam Walker.
“We are very grateful to the committee for all of their work to select the most highly qualified candidates to serve,” Bennet said. “We look forward to having the opportunity to review their applications and speak with each candidate in person.”
The upcoming vacancy is created by Judge Robert Blackburn’s taking senior status in April of 2016. Given the overwhelming dockets currently faced by the courts, the advisory committee was formed in October in advance of Judge Blackburn’s departure, to ensure the seat was filled in a timely manner.
The committee was co-chaired by Hal Haddon, former co-chair of previous advisory panels and a Denver lawyer, and Candy Figa, a prominent attorney in the Denver metro area, who has also been active in civic affairs, including serving as a City Councilmember and Mayor Pro tem of Greenwood Village and on the 18th Judicial Nominating Commission. The bipartisan nature of the committee reflects Senator Bennet’s interest in a nonpartisan, merit selection system that is consistent with the University of Denver’s Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System’s (IAALS) recommended process.
“The entire applicant pool was exceptional. Each candidate had solid credentials and a unique set of experiences that would make them strong additions to Colorado’s Federal Bench,” said committee co-chair Candy Figa. “While it was difficult to make final selections, we feel very confident in our recommendations and are eager to see the process move forward.”
# # #