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Colorado Judicial Branch

Mary J. Mullarkey, Chief Justice

Gerald Marroney, State Court Administrator

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Nov. 25, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Karen Salaz

303/837-3633

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Three judicial officers selected for excellence awards

Colorado Judicial Institute recognized trio at inaugural event

Chief Judge Harlan R. Bockman, County Court Judge Charles T. Hoppin and Magistrate Tijani R. (TJ) Cole were recognized as this year’s judicial officer award recipients by the Colorado Judicial Institute. Each of the trio was presented with the 2003 Judicial Excellence Award for his outstanding service on the bench during the institute’s inaugural Judicial Excellence for Colorado Dinner on Nov. 6 in Denver.

“Every day we in Colorado rely on our trial judges and magistrates to resolve disputes fairly and deliver justice to the litigants in thousands of cases,” says Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey. “Because we often take their hard work for granted, I am pleased that CJI has singled out three of them for special recognition. These are three of our very best.

“Not only do they perform their jobs well on a daily basis, but they also have gone beyond the ordinary to find new solutions to old problems,” continues Mullarkey. “They are our thinkers; they are the innovators who will help the Colorado courts better serve the public. I am glad we have them.”

The three judicial officers work in the state court system. Chief Judge Bockman presides in the 17th Judicial District (Adams and Broomfield counties), County Court Judge Hoppin is in the 1st Judicial District (Jefferson and Gilpin counties) and Magistrate Cole presides in the 20th Judicial District (Boulder County). One district court judge, county court judge and magistrate who exemplify the highest standard of excellence were selected for the award. Recipients were chosen for their management skills; control, innovation and creativity in the courtroom; extraordinary courage, energy and tenacity; level of respect and confidence by other judges, court staff, lawyers and others; and exemplification of the highest standards of judicial excellence.

Judge Bockman was appointed to the district court bench in October 1976 and as chief judge in 1991. Prior to his appointment to the judgeship, he was the assistant district attorney in Adams County. He has heard criminal, civil, domestic and juvenile cases during his tenure. He is also a mentor and educator for other judges, and a leader in caseflow management, especially in the area of civil litigation.

Judge Hoppin was appointed to the Jefferson County Court in May 1996. Prior to his appointment, he was a deputy district attorney from 1969 to 1972. He had a private law practice with emphasis on domestic law and criminal defense from 1972 to 1996.

Since joining the bench in 1993, Magistrate Cole, has been innovative in developing out-reach programs for high school students. He started an at-risk high school in the courthouse and has helped hundreds of delinquent high school students graduate and go on to college. He is active in the community promoting judicial issues and improving ways that the judiciary works with its local community.

The Colorado Judicial Institute is a 24-year-old nonprofit citizens’ group committed to excellence in Colorado’s courts. CJI strives to improve the public understanding and trust in our state court system, ensure the appropriate use of the state court system, and explore alternatives to the judicial process. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit CJI’s Judicial Education Preservation Fund established in response to the recent loss of sate financial support for continuing education for judges and court personnel.

Editor’s note: Additional information on the Colorado Judicial Institute is available at . Photographs of the award recipients are available at

Bockman:

Hoppin:

Cole:

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.

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