Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright on Aug. 14 appointed Judge Amanda Hopkins to serve as chief judge for the 12th Judicial District serving Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties.
Hopkins’ appointment is effective immediately. She replaces Judge Michael Gonzales, who resigned as chief judge July 14, according to the announcement from the judicial department. Gonzales will continue to serve as a district and water court judge.
“I would like to thank Judge Gonzales for his service to the combined courts,” Chief Justice Boatright said in a press release. “I look forward to working with Judge Hopkins and am committed to providing any support she needs during and after this transition.”
Hopkins was appointed to the district court bench on July 10, 2018. She began her legal career in 2007 as a deputy public defender with the Alamosa office of the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, according to the announcement. She represented juvenile and adult clients.
In December 2011, Hopkins was named managing deputy public defender of the Alamosa office. In that capacity, she divided her time between court administrative matters and representation of indigent clients accused of felony crimes, according to the announcement. Hopkins earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound in 2001 and her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2006.
As chief judge, the judicial department noted Hopkins 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.