Denver – Today, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated President Joe Biden’s intent to nominate Judge Kato Crews to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Bennet and Hickenlooper recommended Crews to the White House for the position in August. If confirmed by the Senate, Crews would serve on the court when Judge Raymond P. Moore takes senior status on June 20, 2023.
“A Pueblo native, Judge Crews has demonstrated a deep-seated commitment to the law for over two decades. He has used his experience in both private practice and as a Magistrate Judge to give back to the community, make the judiciary and his courtroom more accessible, and mentor the next generation of Colorado lawyers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds,” said Bennet. “With his experience, intellect, and character, Judge Crews will make a remarkable addition to Colorado’s District Court. I look forward to supporting his nomination, and urge my colleagues to quickly confirm him with a strong bipartisan vote.”
“Judge Kato Crews will bring his experience, intellect, and integrity back to the bench. His nomination is a win for Coloradans and the rule of law,” said Hickenlooper.
In 2018, Judge Kato Crews became the District’s first Black Magistrate Judge. Crews began his career as an attorney with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, Denver office. He then entered private practice as an attorney with Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP, where he made partner. He was later a founding partner of a small firm, Hoffman Crews Nies Waggener & Foster LLP, where he focused on civil litigation and labor and employment law. Judge Crews was sole or lead attorney in multiple jury and bench trials. While on the bench, he founded the Federal Limited Appearance Program (FLAP) with the Colorado Bar Association (CBA) Young Lawyers Division, which provides pro bono representation to pro se litigants during certain court hearings. He also sits on the board of Colorado Bar Association-Continuing Legal Education, and regularly makes himself available to students and young lawyers for mentoring and guidance.
A Colorado native, Judge Crews received his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and his law degree from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, where he served on the Arizona Law Review.
This is the fifth vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado that the senators are working to fill or have filled. Over the last year and a half, the senators recommended Regina Rodriguez, Charlotte Sweeney, Nina Wang, and Gordon Gallagher to serve on the District Court. The Senate confirmed Judge Rodriguez in June 2021, Judge Sweeney in May, and Judge Wang in August. Judge Gallagher advanced out of the Judiciary committee with a bipartisan vote of 14-7, and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.