Chris Seldin one of three nominated for new district judgeship
Basalt Town Councilman Chris Seldin is one step closer to the bench. But if Gov. Bill Ritter were to appoint him as a 9th Judicial District judge, he would have to vacate his political post with a little under two years remaining in his first term.
Seldin is one of three nominees for the newly created judgeship, which becomes effective July 1. The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission recommended Seldin along with Jim True, special counsel for the city of Aspen, and Gail Nichols, who is the deputy district attorney for the 9th Judicial District’s office in Aspen.
Nichols, who would be missed by many inside the Pitkin County Courthouse, declined to comment about her nomination. True did not return phone messages.
Seldin, who is also an assistant attorney for Pitkin County, acknowledged the conflict of interest between his current employment and the potential judgeship.
“Yes, I would be forced to resign both of my current positions,” he said. “I think that the citizens would understand that continuing with public service in the form of the judiciary is an acceptable excuse.”
Seldin, who will turn 37 at the end of this month, would easily become the youngest judge currently in the judicial district. It was not immediately known if there have been judges younger than Seldin that have ever served the 9th Judicial District.
Under the state constitution, Gov. Ritter has until May 31 to make an appointment.
The upper Roaring Fork Valley fared well in the competition for the post. Eagle County Judge Katie Sullivan, 9th Judicial District Magistrate Ruben Hernandez of Glenwood Springs and Meeker-based Deputy District Attorney Ann Toney also applied for the position but they were passed over by the nominating committee.
The judgeship was created to help manage the area’s bustling workload. Once appointed, the new district court judge will serve a provisional two-year term. After that, it will be up to voters whether to retain him or her. If the electorate favors the governor’s appointment, that judge would serve an additional six years per state law.
hoop@aspendailynews.com