Denver District Judge William Hood on Friday received Gov. John Hickenlooper\u2019s nomination to the state\u2019s highest court, where he will replace Chief Justice Michael Bender.<\/p>\n
Hickenlooper chose Hood from a list of three \u201cremarkable\u201d finalists who he said were nearly evenly matched. But Hood stood out.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s consistently demonstrated an ability to fairly apply the law while administering justice,\u201d Hickenlooper said. \u201cHe has a reputation for collaboration and being able to bring people together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hood spoke only briefly at the announcement in the state Capitol, but he said he was humbled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to doing all that I can to show that I deserve the vote of confidence the governor has given me,\u201d Hood said.<\/p>\n
Hood has had a chance to rule on a few statewide matters from his seat on the Denver District Court, where cases challenging state laws are filed.<\/p>\n
In 2010, he upheld a Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rule that requires waste pits to have a waterproof liner. A Western Slope gas-production company had wanted the rule overturned.<\/p>\n
Later that year, Hood ruled in favor of gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo, allowing him to remain on the ballot with the American Constitution Party. Republicans had challenged Tancredo\u2019s late entry into the race as a third-party candidate, but Hood wrote that it wasn\u2019t appropriate for the court to get involved in a political matter.<\/p>\n
Hickenlooper went on to win the 2010 race with 51 percent of the vote. Tancredo divided the conservative vote and took second, while Republican candidate Dan Maes finished a distant third.<\/p>\n
Former Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, appointed Hood to the district court in 2007. Before that, he was a private attorney for the Denver firm Isaacson Rosenbaum. He also has served as a deputy district attorney in the 18th Judicial District in Denver\u2019s southern suburbs.<\/p>\n
Bender will step down on his birthday, Jan. 7, 2014, when he turns 72, the mandatory retirement age for state judges. The remaining justices have elected Justice Nancy Rice to be the new chief justice.<\/p>\n
Hood\u2019s appointment does not require confirmation by the Legislature. Unlike many states where judges are elected, Colorado\u2019s process attempts to minimize politics. A nominating committee examines applications and picks three finalists to forward to the governor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sometimes don\u2019t appreciate it. This system keeps politics out of it,\u201d Bender said.<\/p>\n