Author: David Migoya
-
Critics decry ‘black hole’ of oversight for code violations by appointed judges
—
by
Colorado’s method of investigating and disciplining judges for alleged violations of its code of conduct doesn’t apply to retired jurists specially appointed to handle individual cases. Similarly, the state’s investigative arm that looks into allegations of attorney misconduct also has no jurisdiction over issues involving private judges, as they are known, outside of the same…
-
Colorado judges made campaign contributions despite rules prohibiting the practice
—
by
More than a half dozen judges in Colorado — each of them specially appointed and paid to oversee a divorce case since 2019 — has made at least one political campaign contribution while serving in that capacity despite a prohibition against the practice and an affirmation to uphold it, The Denver Gazette has found. Colorado’s Code of Judicial…
-
Private judges suppress cases at greater rate than regular courts
—
by
Private judges hired to handle divorce cases in Colorado suppress them from public view at far greater rates than in cases that rely on district court judges, leaving some legal experts wondering whether affluent clients are simply buying their way into secrecy. The newspaper found that some private judges have suppressed cases nearly routinely, while…
-
Colorado’s private, often secret justice system exclusively for the wealthy
—
by
For nearly two decades Colorado has quietly maintained two judicial systems: One that the public makes use of regularly, and the other a lesser known, almost secret variety relied on by the rich, famous and well-to-do. Specifically for civil cases — the criminal justice system is unaffected — the systems, on paper, are designed to be virtually identical…
-
Bill to stop growing number of grocers from selling booze passes key House committee
—
by
Colorado’s independent liquor stores won a resounding victory Thursday as a state House committee unanimously approved a bill that would freeze any increase to the number of grocery stores selling hard booze. The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee passed Senate Bill 25-33 by a 13-0 bipartisan vote, virtually assuring a smooth path for legislation…
-
Uncharted waters: Aurora’s unique bid for gold mine water hits head waves
—
by
The historic London Mine, one of Colorado’s most prolific for gold and silver as well as for lead and zinc from its beginning in the 1880s to its closure in 1991, sits roughly at 11,300 feet in the high reaches of Park County beyond Fairplay. The Denver Gazette The site is about 3,000 acres including…
-
Despite law, one in six Colorado judges doesn’t have financial disclosures filed, some for years
—
by
About one in every six judges across Colorado this year does not have their personal financial disclosure statements on file with the secretary of state despite a law that requires it every January, a Denver Gazette review has found. In the worst examples, nearly two dozen judges who sit on a Colorado district or county…