Gov. Jared Polis on March 14 made appointments in the 6th and 16th Judicial Districts.
Polis appointed Sean Murray as the district attorney for the 6th Judicial District, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Christian Champagne. The appointment will be effective March 16.
Murray is an assistant DA for the 6th Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2022. Previously, he was an appellate deputy DA in the 6th Judicial District from 2020 to 2022, deputy DA in the 6th Judicial District from 2017 to 2020, assistant DA in the 22nd Judicial District from 2014 to 2016, deputy DA in the 22nd Judicial District from 2013 to 2014 and public defender with the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender in Durango from 2011 to 2013. He earned his bachelor’s degree and J.D. from the University of Virginia in 2007 and 2011, respectively.
Polis also appointed William Culver to the Otero County Court in the 16th Judicial District. The vacancy is created by the retirement of Judge Douglas Manley, effective May 1. Upon joining the Otero County bench, Culver will vacate his elected position as the DA for the 16th Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2021. To fill this vacancy, Polis will gather a panel of former DAs who will provide him with recommendations to fill the vacancy.
Culver’s practice consists of criminal prosecution. Previously, he was an assistant DA in the 16th Judicial District from 2012 to 2021, a solo practitioner from 2003 to 2012 and an associate attorney with the Law Office of J.E. Losavio from 1996 to 2003. Culver earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in 1992 and his J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 1995.