Gov. Jared Polis on Aug. 5 appointed Joshua Nowak and Lara Jimenez to the Adams County Court in the 17th Judicial District. The vacancies are created by the resignation of Judge Cindy Dang and the retirement of Judge Byron Howell. Nowak’s appointment is effective immediately and Jimenez’s appointment begins Jan. 9, 2023.
Nowak is an associate attorney at McDermott, Stuart, & Ward LLP, a position he’s held since 2021. His practice consists primarily of criminal defense, according to the announcement. Previously, Nowak was a deputy state public defender in Brighton from 2016 to 2021. Nowak earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2013 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2016.
Lara Jimenez is a magistrate for the 17th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2022. According to the announcement, her current docket consists of criminal matters. Jimenez was a magistrate for the City and County of Denver from 2021 to 2022; associate attorney at Front Line Law, LLC from 2021 to 2022; deputy district attorney and senior district attorney for the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2013 to 2021; and deputy district attorney for the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2011 to 2013. Jimenez earned her bachelor’s degree from Adams State University in 2006 and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2009.