Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright appointed Judge John “Clay” McKisson to serve as chief judge of the 3rd Judicial District serving Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
He will replace Judge Leslie Gerbracht, who was appointed to the District Court in 2007 and was named chief judge in December 2018. McKisson’s appointment is effective upon Gerbracht’s retirement Jan. 10, 2023.
“Chief Judge Gerbracht’s able leadership will be missed,” Boatright said in the announcement. “Under her guidance, efforts such as the district’s Truancy Prevention and GED Completion programs have seen great success, and we are grateful for her accomplishments.”
McKisson was appointed to the Huerfano County Court in 2017 and to the District Court in 2018; both appointments were made by former Gov. John Hickenlooper. Before his appointment to the Huerfano County Court, McKisson served as a probation officer and an assistant district attorney in the 3rd Judicial District. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School.
As chief judge, he will serve as the administrative head of the district, responsible for appointing the court executive, chief probation officer and clerk of court, assisting in personnel, financial and case-management duties and seeing that the business of the courts is conducted efficiently and effectively.
“I look forward to working with Judge McKisson in this new capacity, and believe he will continue the district’s tradition of strong leadership,” Boatright said in the announcement.