On April 24, Governor Jared Polis announced two appointments to the 4th Judicial District Court (El Paso and Teller Counties) and one appointment to the El Paso County Court in the 4th Judicial District. Governor Polis appointed Mary K. Linden and Amy P. Cullen Cano to the 4th Judicial District Court. Ms. Linden’s appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable David Prince and is effective June 1, 2026. Ms. Cano’s appointment fills a judgeship created by SB25-024 and is effective July 1, 2026.
Ms. Linden is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder at the Linden Kominek, PC, dba Linden Law Group, a position she has held since 2005. Her practice primarily consists of civil matters. Previously, she was an Associate Attorney at Vaughan & DeMuro, PC (2004-2005); and Senior Associate at Mulliken, Gleason, Weiner & Whitney, PC (1994-1999). Ms. Linden earned her B.S. from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1989 and her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1993.
Ms. Cano is a Magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position she has held since 2025. Her docket consists of domestic and civil matters. Previously, she was Senior Deputy District Attorney (2025), Deputy District Attorney III (2021-2025), Deputy District Attorney II (2018-2021), and Deputy District Attorney I (2015-2018) in the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Cano earned her B.S. from Colorado State University Pueblo in 2006 and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2014.
Governor Polis also appointed Douglas G. Bechtel to the El Paso County Court in the 4th Judicial District. His appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Steven Katzman. The vacancy is effective May 27, 2026.
Mr. Bechtel is an El Paso County Court Magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position he has held since 2024. His docket consists of criminal and civil matters. Previously, he was a Deputy District Attorney in the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (2005-2024). Mr. Bechtel earned his B.S. from the University of Illinois in 1994 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2006.