Penny Appointed to Thirteenth Judicial District Chief Judge Position

______

Nov. 30, 2006 Contact: Karen Salaz

303/837-3633

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-800-888-0001 Ext. 633

Penny appointed to Thirteenth Judicial District chief judge position

District Court Judge John Curtis Penny Jr. has been appointed as the new chief judge for the Thirteenth Judicial District by Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey. He replaces retiring Judge Steven E. Shinn, who was appointed to the bench in July 1986 and has served as chief judge since March 2000. The Thirteenth Judicial District includes Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties.

“I am very grateful to Chief Judge Shinn for his years of service,” says Colorado Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey.“His hard work and dedication have greatly benefited the district as well as the state Judicial Branch. I will miss him and his down-to-earth sense of humor.”

Judge Penny, a lifelong resident of Burlington, was a KitCarsonCounty judge for 29 years until his appointment to the district court bench in September by Gov. Bill Owens. He also maintained a private practice while serving as a part-time judge. His judicial case load included civil, domestic relations, felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases.

“Judge Penny will bring to his new position as chief judge the knowledge and insights he has gained while serving as Kit Carson county judge for 29 years,” Mullarkey adds. “I have no doubt that he will ably serve the people in the seven counties that make up the Thirteenth Judicial District.

“The challenges posed by the vast distances and ever-changing case loads are daunting but Judge Penny’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious,” Mullarkey says.“I believe that he will enable the judges and staff in the courts and probation to perform at their very best.”

Judge Penny served on the Thirteenth Judicial District’s initial victims’ assistance board and has been a mentor for new county judges. He also has been active in the Rotary Club and other local organizations. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Colorado and his law degree from the University of Tulsa.

Colorado is divided into 22 judicial districts, each with a chief judge. As chief judge in the Thirteenth Judicial District, Judge Penny will serve as the administrative head of the district. He will be responsible for appointing the district administrator, chief probation officer and clerks of the court to assist in the personnel, financial and case management of the district along with seeing that the business of the courts is conducted efficiently and effectively. Other responsibilities include judicial assignments within the district.

The appointment of the new chief judge becomes effective in January when Judge Shinn’s retirement is effective and Judge Penny takes office as a district court judge.

This information is provided as an e-mail service of the Colorado State Judicial Branch, Office of State Court Administrator, 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colo. 80203. To discontinue this service or update your e-mail address, please respond to this message with your name, contact information and any comments.