Governor Polis Makes Appointments to the 4th and 17th Judicial Districts and to the Larimer County Court in the 8th Judicial District

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis made appointments to the 4th Judicial District and 17th Judicial District as well as an appointment to the Larimer County Court in the 8th Judicial District.

Governor Polis appointed Lara Y. Nafziger to the 4th Judicial District Court. This appointment, created by the retirement of the Honorable Michael P. McHenry, is effective October 1, 2026.

Ms. Nafziger is a Magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position she has held since 2019. Her docket consists of juvenile, domestic, and criminal matters. Previously, she was Lead Deputy Public Defender (2016-2019) and Deputy Public Defender (2008-2016) in the Colorado Springs Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. She earned her B.A. from the College of Wooster in 2000 and her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline University School of Law in 2008.

Governor Polis also appointed Thomas M. Ward to the 17th Judicial District Court. This appointment, created by the retirement of the Honorable Arturo G. Hernandez, is effective immediately.

Mr. Ward is a District Court Magistrate in the 20th Judicial District, a position he has held since 2023. His docket consists of domestic and criminal matters. Mr. Ward is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado Law School, a position he has held since 2024. Previously, Mr. Ward was the Owner at TM Ward, LLC (2012-2023). Mr. Ward earned his B.S. from the University of Maryland in 2003 and his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2012.

Governor Polis also appointed Leeah B. Lechuga to the Larimer County Court in the 8th Judicial District. This appointment, created by the retirement of the Honorable Kraig S. Ecton, is effective October 1, 2026.

Ms. Lechuga is a Deputy District Attorney in the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office, a position she has held since 2023. Her practice consists of criminal prosecution. Previously, she was a Deputy District Attorney in the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office (2021-2023); Assistant Attorney General in the Human Services Unit at the Colorado Department of Law (2019-2021); Associate Attorney at the Denver City Attorney's Office (2016-2019); Attorney at the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Timlin (2015-2016); and Law Clerk for the 18th Judicial District Court (2013-2015). Ms. Lechuga earned her B.J. from the University of Missouri in 2000 and her J.D. from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2013.

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