WEEK OF JANUARY 23, 2025
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 7
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Castle Rock ceremony marks launch of 23rd Judicial District George Brauchler is sworn in as new district attorney BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Parker Municipal Judge Vincent White swears in Parker resident Erik Frandsen on Jan. 13 to serve as a town councilmember, filling the seat PHOTO BY HALEY LENA left by Joshua Rivero when he was chosen as mayor.
Erik Frandsen takes his seat as Parker’s newest town councilmember BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In his new role, Parker resident Erik Frandsen is looking forward to doing what’s best for the town. Frandsen, who has lived in Parker
for about a decade, was appointed to fill the vacancy position on the Parker Town Council left by Joshua Rivero following Rivero’s election to serve as Parker’s mayor in November. “I’m so deeply honored for the opportunity to serve,” said Frandsen.
VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 16 | PUZZLES: 17
A large crowd gathered at Douglas County’s justice center in Castle Rock for a ceremony to mark the creation of Colorado’s first new judicial district in roughly 60 years, a move that breaks Arapahoe County off into its own district and leaves Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties with their own court system. “This moment is a testament to the growth and evolution of our community, a recognition that the needs of our citizens are ever-changing and that our judicial system must evolve alongside them,” Chief Judge Ryan Stuart, of the new 23rd Judicial District, said in a news release. Before, Colorado’s court system was made up of 22 judicial districts, and the 18th district included Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties. But the state legislature — at least partly driven by a political split in the 18th district — decided to break it up, moving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties into the new 23rd district. The Colorado Judicial Branch celebrated the establishment of the 23rd district at a swearing-in ceremony Jan. 14 at the Douglas County Courthouse. With the launch of a new judicial district comes a new district attorney — George Brauchler, a Republican and former district attorney who won election by a large margin for the new DA seat in November. The race in Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln encompassed an area that made for a deep-red electorate. A district attorney serves as the head prosecutor for a region of Colorado’s courts, also leading the prosecutors who work in that DA’s office. The office is responsible for prosecuting crimes that occur in the area. After being sworn in to office, Brauchler said: “We are in the business of justice.” “The rule of law for me means no one is above the law. We don’t show any favoritism. We don’t care about race, creed, religion, sexual orientation” or gender, Brauchler said, adding: “I don’t care about immigration status. You commit a crime in this (place), this community, you should have the same expectation as anybody else.” Brauchler, a longtime politician who has appeared on ballots in several elections, served eight years as DA for the 18th district, wrapping up his term in 2021. Many officials take office
“There is no agenda here, it’s to do what’s best for the town in my short time.” Frandsen joins Councilmembers Anne Barrington, Todd Hendreks,
More than 300 people were in attendance during the ceremony and witnessed the swearing in of 150 staff to the district, including district court judges, county court judges, and the chief
SEE VACANCY, P12
SEE SWEARING IN, P23
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