newsColorado Judicial Branch
Mary J. Mullarkey, Chief Justice
Gerald Marroney, State Court Administrator
Nov. 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Karen Salaz
303/837-3633
1-800-888-0001 Ext. 633
Judicial employees among those recognized by Colorado CASA
Janski and Spahnreceive awards
Colorado CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, recently presented its annual achievement awards. Two Judicial Department employeeswere among the 2005 recipients recognized on Oct. 29, 2005. They were Magistrate Kathleen Janski and Theresa Spahn.
“Cases coming through our court system involving children are some of the most difficult we face,” says Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey. “Finding solutions takes a comprehensive, dedicated team of individuals who are compassionate and resourceful. It is rewarding for all of us when the contributions of our colleagues are recognized by their peers outside the Judiciary.”
Magistrate Janski, who presides in Denver Juvenile Court, received the CASA Judge of the Year award. The presentation highlighted, “Magistrate Kathleen Janski demonstrates a high level of professional ethics, passion, leadership, teamwork and innovation in her career as evident in the numerous outcomes and positive impacts that she has had on the children, the families and the community she diligently serves.”
Theresa Spahn, executive director or the Office of the Child’s Representative, was recognized as the Child Advocate of the Year. Under Spahn’s leadership the Office of the Child's Representative provides Colorado’s children involved in the court system with legal services addressing the unique legal needs of children in Colorado. Prior to 2001 when Spahn became the first executive director of OCR, much of her career focused on children’s and family issues. Highlights include serving as a district court magistrate in the Seventeenth Judicial District (Adams and Broomfield counties) where she presided over juvenile, domestic and criminal cases, and serving as a deputy district attorney in the Twenty-First Judicial District (MesaCounty) where she specialized in crimes against children. She also headed the start-up of the Sexual Abuse Task Force in MesaCounty.
Colorado CASA advocates for the best interest of abused and neglected children by promoting and supporting the development, growth and continuation of quality CASA programs and services to benefit children throughout Colorado. Nationwide, the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, created in 1977, has over 900 member agencies that train volunteers to speak up for abused, neglected or abandoned children in the court. CASA was instituted in Colorado in 1985. Currently, there are 14 CASA programs in Colorado.
Each year Colorado CASA recognizes a select group of individuals who make significant contributions to the program. Criteria considered in the selection include high levels of ethics, diligence, thoroughness and persistence in making the system responsive to the needs of children. Also considered are teamwork, leadership, enthusiasm and innovation in promoting the CASA mission.
Also recognized during the awards ceremony were Bradley Bittan, contract attorney, Denver Juvenile Court, Guardian Ad Litem Attorney of the Year;Jane Hegstrom from the Pikes Peak region, Volunteer of the Year;Melody Jablonski, Adams County Social Services Department, Caseworker of the Year; and Molly Lewis, Denver CASA, Staff Person of the Year.
Editor’s Note:More information about Colorado CASA is available online at Additional information is also available online for the Office of the Child’s Representative at
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