Durango City Clerk Faye Harmer, left, swears in new municipal judge Beth Padilla in Smith Council Chambers, City Hall, on Tuesday. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)
Durango City Clerk Faye Harmer, left, swears in new municipal judge Beth Padilla in Smith Council Chambers, City Hall, on Tuesday. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)

The city of Durango has a new municipal judge – one who says she will continue the specialty court program started by her predecessor.

Judge Peth Padilla took her oath Tuesday in the Smith Council Chambers at Durango City Hall. She was joined by family members, some who carried flower bouquets, and municipal court staff members.

“Let’s get you sworn in so we can put you to work,” City Clerk Faye Harmer said, eliciting laughter from the small crowd gathered in the chambers.

Padilla
Padilla

Padilla swore to support the U.S. Constitution, the Colorado Constitution and the charter and ordinances of the city.

Padilla said former Durango municipal judge Matt Margeson, who announced his resignation after Gov. Jared Polis tapped him to serve on the 7th Judicial District court bench, did a good job with his specialty court program, and she intends to continue and build upon it.

The new Durango municipal judge Beth Padilla was sworn into her role in Smith Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, where she was supported by family members who congratulated her with bouquets of flowers. Padilla said she will continue the specialty court program set up by her predecessor Matt Margeson. She operates a similar program in Cortez. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)
The new Durango municipal judge Beth Padilla was sworn into her role in Smith Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, where she was supported by family members who congratulated her with bouquets of flowers. Padilla said she will continue the specialty court program set up by her predecessor Matt Margeson. She operates a similar program in Cortez. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)

A specialty court program is one that aims to help people experiencing substance abuse and mental health issues address those issues without racking up charges or serving jail time.

Padilla said she runs a similar program in Cortez where she also serves as a municipal judge. If someone completes a specialty court program, he or she has their charges dismissed.

At the end of the day, the program is about helping people by connecting them to community resources, she said.

City Council approved Padilla’s appointment at a special meeting Monday. At the meeting, Joseph Kuzma, development director at Manna soup kitchen, said Manna is a strong partner with the city’s specialty court and he looks forward to collaborating.

“I was personally very excited to hear that you were the new judge,” he said. “… We have been blessed by your caliber of work and heart to help so many.”

Councilors said Padilla had exactly the sort of resume they were looking for. Padilla has worked as a municipal judge in Cortez since 2021 and has served as a backup judge in Durango since 2024. She owns her own practice, Padilla Law, although she winded that down upon accepting the position with the city.

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The new Durango municipal judge Beth Padilla was sworn into her role in Smith Council Chambers, City Hall, on Tuesday. Padilla said she will continue the specialty court program set up by her predecessor Matt Margeson. She operates a similar program in Cortez. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)
The new Durango municipal judge Beth Padilla was sworn into her role in Smith Council Chambers, City Hall, on Tuesday. Padilla said she will continue the specialty court program set up by her predecessor Matt Margeson. She operates a similar program in Cortez. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)