June 04, 2010 01:44 AM UTC

Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey Retiring

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• by: RedGreen

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, a 1987 Romer appointment to the high court and a recent target of the Clear the Bench campaign, said Thursday afternoon she’s resigning effective Nov. 30.

Gov. Bill Ritter can appoint her replacement, after a panel nominates three possibilities, but sitting justices will decide who gets to be chief, the GJ Sentinel’s Chuck Ashby notes.

Leading candidates include Justices Gregory Hobbs, Michael Bender and Alex Martinez. Hobbs was appointed to the bench in 1997, a year before Bender and Martinez.

UPDATE: Statement from the Judicial Branch, and send-offs from John Suthers and Ritter, follow.

Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey announces her retirement

DENVER – Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, who was appointed to the bench in 1987 by Gov. Roy Romer and selected by her colleagues to serve as Chief Justice in 1998, announced her retirement, effective Nov. 30, 2010, at an afternoon news conference.

After 23 years serving the people of Colorado from the Supreme Court bench, Chief Justice Mullarkey, 66, decided now was the right time to step down and pursue other interests.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission later this summer will interview applicants for the upcoming vacancy and nominate three candidates to the governor, who then will appoint a new associate justice. Members of the court will select a new chief justice.

Chief Justice Mullarkey thanks every current and past member of the Judicial Department for their commitment to improving the administration of justice for the citizens of Colorado and asks for their continued support and dedication to the mission of the department, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the public.

“The highest calling for any attorney is public service,” she said. “I feel lucky I have had the opportunity to serve, and have greatly enjoyed not only the work of a Supreme Court justice, but also the relationships I’ve formed with my colleagues and others in the Judicial Branch.”

Before joining the court, Chief Justice Mullarkey practiced law for 19 years, including as head of the Colorado Attorney General Office’s Appellate Section and as Colorado’s Solicitor General. She also served as legal advisor to Gov. Richard D. Lamm and held legal positions with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of the Interior.

Attorney General John Suthers issued the follwing statement praising Mullarkey, a longtime ideological foe:

“Chief Justice Mullarkey has served the state of Colorado with distinction both on the court and during her time with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office,” Suthers said. “While we have not agreed on every issue, I salute the dedication of the Chief Justice to public service and her work to make the judicial system in Colorado more accessible and open to the public, such as through the Court in the Community Program. She also has done outstanding work in making the Ralph L. Carr Justice Center a reality.”

Ritter issued the following statement:

“In her 23 years of public service on the state’s highest court, Chief Justice Mullarkey has faithfully interpreted Colorado’s Constitution, statutes and values. Her strong leadership, wisdom and respect for the rule of law have guided the Court through many difficult and challenging issues. I have long admired her deeply held belief that the courts must be an open and accessible venue where we resolve our most important disputes, uphold our Constitution and protect our children and most vulnerable citizens.

“Chief Justice Mullarkey has helped shape our legal landscape for the better, and we will benefit from her rulings, her public service and her legacy for years to come.”