On Feb. 23, Gov. Jared Polis appointed Judge Kimberly Cortez to an opening on the 12th Judicial District Court, which includes Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. Cortez will fill the judgeship created by the retirement of Judge Martin Gonzales, effective April 1.
According to Wednesday’s announcement, Cortez has presided over both civil and criminal matters as a Conejos County Court judge and a 12th Judicial District advisements magistrate, positions she’s held since 2017 and August 2021, respectively. Previously, she served as a self-represented litigant coordinator in the 12th Judicial District, an associate attorney with Lester Sigmond Rooney & Schwiesow and paralegal/temporary staff attorney with Colorado Legal Services.
Cortez earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 2006 and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2009.