August will be a busy month for the Colorado Supreme Court Nominating Commission, as it will meet three times that month to screen applications and interview and nominate Colorado lawyers applying to succeed retiring Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey on the high court bench, according to a press release issued today by State Judicial.
The 14-member Commission will first meet on Monday, August 16, to review the field of applicants interested in the judgeship, then reconvene the following week — on Monday, August 23, and Tuesday, August 24 — to interview the top candidates. The Commission will recommend to Gov. Ritter its three nominees. The governor then has 15 days to appoint the new supreme court justice. As for filling the chief justice vacancy created by Chief Justice Mullarkey’s retirement, that is a task for the remaining members of the supreme court. They will privately caucus and appoint from amongst themselves a successor. Supreme court justices receive a provisional, two-year appointment by the governor, after which they are retained by voter approval every ten years.
All attorneys licensed to practice in Colorado for at least five years and who are registered electors in the state are eligible to apply for the judgeship. Detailed instructions about the application process and the application itself are available online. Application packages (consisting of one original application plus 14 copies) must be received by the office of Commission ex officio chair, Chief Justice Mullarkey, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Eighth Floor, no later than Monday, July 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Chief Justice Mullarkey announced her intention to retire, effective November 30, two weeks ago.
(image source: State Judicial)
