Justice Monica Márquez becomes the First Latina Chief Justice
Supreme Court Justice Monica M. Márquez was sworn in today, Friday, July 26, 2024, as Colorado’s new Chief Justice, making her the first Latina in Colorado’s history to hold the title of chief. Justice Márquez succeeds Justice Brian D. Boatright as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after a three-year term in the leadership position. The rotation of the chief after three years comes from a unanimous vote in 2020 of the Supreme Court justices to move to shorter rotational terms for the office of the Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Márquez was born in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Grand Junction, Colo. She is the second Chief Justice to hail from the Western Slope and the third female Chief Justice in Colorado history. Of the eleven openly LGBT state supreme court justices currently serving in the United States, Chief Justice Márquez is the longest-tenured. Her father, Jose D.L. Márquez, was the first Latino judge to serve in Mesa County District Court, and the first Latino judge appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
“I am deeply grateful to Chief Justice Boatright for his leadership. He has overseen significant changes to the administration of the branch in recent years, and his humble leadership has been a model for all of us,” said Chief Justice Márquez. “As he now hands me the baton, I am ready to carry forward the momentum his leadership has created. Our highest mission remains serving the people of Colorado and upholding the integrity of the judicial system. I am also committed to strengthening our relationships with government and community partners and making the Judicial Branch an exceptional workplace.”
Governor Bill Ritter appointed Justice Márquez to the Colorado Supreme Court in November 2010, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey.
Before her appointment, Justice Márquez had an extensive career in public service and law. Prior to joining the Court, Justice Márquez served in several roles at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office under Attorneys General Ken Salazar and John Suthers. As Deputy Attorney General, she led the State Services section in representing many Colorado Executive Branch agencies and Colorado’s statewide elected public officials, including the Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General.
Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Justice Márquez practiced general commercial litigation and employment law at Holme Roberts & Owen, LLP. She clerked for Judge David M. Ebel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver, and for Judge Michael A. Ponsor of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Springfield, Mass.
The Colorado Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort. Its decisions are binding. On all other Colorado state courts. Under the Colorado Constitution, the Chief Justice serves as the executive head of the Colorado Judicial Branch, comprising the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and the state’s district and county courts. The Judicial Branch employs approximately 4,200 court and probation employees, including 410 justices, judges and magistrates.
