Colorado Supreme Court has a new chief justice

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado has sworn in a new chief justice of the state’s Supreme Court.

Justice Monica M. Márquez was sworn in on Friday, succeeding Justice Brian D. Boatright. Chief justices now serve in three-year rotations ever since the justices voted unanimously in 2020 for the shorter terms, according to a release from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Márquez becomes the first Latina in Colorado history to hold the title, the third female chief justice to serve in the role and the longest-tenured openly LGBTQ state justice currently serving in the U.S.

Márquez released a statement:

“I am deeply grateful to Chief Justice Boatright for his leadership. He has overseen significant changes to the administration of the branch in recent years, and his humble leadership has been a model for all of us. As he now hands me the baton, I am ready to carry forward the momentum his leadership has created. Our highest mission remains serving the people of Colorado and upholding the integrity of the judicial system. I am also committed to strengthening our relationships with government and community partners and making the Judicial Branch an exceptional workplace.”

Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez

Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Márquez in November 2010 to replace Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey upon her retirement.

Márquez served under two Colorado attorneys general and clerked in the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She also practiced commercial litigation and employment law.

Her father made history as a Latino judge. Jose D.L. Márquez was the first Latino judge in Mesa County District Court and the first Latino judge appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals, according to the Judicial Branch.

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