Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has appointed Reneé Goble to the Denver County Court to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Gary Jackson.

Goble was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the U.S. when she was 6 years old. She is currently a senior assistant city attorney in the Denver City Attorney’s Office, serving as the senior litigator for the Municipal Operations Section.

“I believe judges have a powerful role to create change in our society, and it’s a great honor to be appointed to this position,” Goble said. “My experience as an immigrant black woman … will guide me in upholding justice fairly and appropriately on behalf of the people of Denver.”

As a senior litigator, Goble has represented city agencies and departments in commercial matters and ordinance violations. She has managed Denver’s federal opioid lawsuit and JUUL youth vaping lawsuit since 2019.

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Prior to joining the City Attorney’s Office in 2015, Goble worked in private practice as a litigation associate for various firms since 2005.

She is also a current or past member of the Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Women’s Bar Association, Colorado LGBT Bar Association, Colorado Asian Pacific Bar Association and Sam Cary Bar Association.

“I have always believed that judicial appointments are some of the most important appointments an elected leader can make,” Hancock said. “To have someone of Reneé’s caliber in this role … will serve our city and residents well.”

“I have every confidence that she will be a phenomenal judge in this critical institution, and a voice for equity in the law for our residents.”

Goble will replace Jackson who retired on Dec. 30, 2020 after serving on the Denver County Court for seven years.

Jackson worked to increase racial diversity on Colorado’s bench, co-founded the Sam Cary Bar Association for Black attorneys and received honors from the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Colorado Judicial Institute.

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“Judge Jackson is a giant in the legal community here in Denver,” Hancock said. “His presence on the bench and his willingness to serve our city throughout his distinguished career is a legacy that will serve our city well into the future.”

Goble beat out two other nominees for the appointment: Judy Estrada, a deputy public defender in the Office of the Municipal Public Defender, and David Blackett, a magistrate in the 17th Judicial District and nominee for a previous vacancy in January 2020.

The Denver County Court handles traffic violations, municipal ordinance violations, petty offenses and misdemeanors. Its civil division handles evictions, name changes, protection orders and money suits for claims under $25,000.

Goble will be sworn in as Denver County Court Judge on March 1.