Twenty-Second Judicial District — Dolores and Montezuma Counties

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Dolores County Courthouse

P.O. Box 511

409 North Main

Dove Creek, Colorado 81324-0511

Telephone: 970-677-2258

Facsimile: 970-677-4156

Montezuma District Court

109 West Main, Room 210

Cortez, CO 81321-3190

Telephone: 970-565-1111

Facsimile: 970-565-8516

Montezuma County Court

Justice Building

601 North Mildred Road

Cortez, Colorado 81321-2995

Telephone: 970-565-7580

Facsimile: 970-565-8798

In 2012 the Equal Justice Foundation began a rating system of justices standing for retention based on the votes of attorneys who submit responses to surveys sent to them by the Judicial Performance Review Commission. The idea was first put forward by the Rocky Mountain News in an October 13, 2002, editorial. Whether a “Retain” or “Do Not Retain” is recommended is based on the criteria:

• Retain: More than 85% of attorneys voted to retain;

• Marginal: in 2012 the standard was that only 80-85% of attorneys voted to retain. In 2014 review this was broadened to 75-85% and in 2018 the standard was expanded again to 71-85% of attorneys voted to retain;

• Do Not Retain: In 2012 the standard was less than 80% of attorneys voted to retain. In 2014 review this was changed to <75% of attorneys voted to retain and in 2018 this was lowered even further to less than or equal <=70% suggesting judicial standards continue to decline.

Citizens are strongly encouraged to submit their experiences with Colorado courts and the judges therein. If you would like to review a judge the EJF has a standard form or you can write your own review. A link to your review will be posted next to the judges name. Our mailing address is given at the bottom of the home page or you can email your review to comments@efji.org. We then link such stories and associated documentation to the individual judge(s) in the following sections.

Table 37: Twenty-Second Judicial District Judges and Magistrates
Name of Judge	Telephone	Case Links	Comments
District Judge
William Young Furse Division 4	970-565-1111		Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective January 10, 2023. He was previously in private practice.
			Stood for retention in 2026. EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain
		Only 67% of attorneys voted to Retain while 25% voted Do Not Retain.
Sharon L. Hansen former chief judge Montezuma County		Retired October 1, 2010.
			Appointed district court August 31, 1995. Formerly county court judge.
			Stood for retention in 1998.
			Stood for retention in 2004.
Todd J. Plewe Chief Judge Division 4	970-565-1111		Promoted to district court judge in 2010. Formerly county court judge.
			Stood for retention in 2012. EJF recommendation: 92% Retain.
			Stood for retention again in 2018. EJF recommendation: Retain 88% of attorneys voted to Retain
			Stood for retention again in 2024. EJF recommendation: Retain
		90% of attorneys voted to Retain and 10% voted Do Not Retain. A good man!
		2023DR30006	Review of divorce case.
Douglas S. Walker Former Chief Judge		Did not stand for retention in 2022 and term ended January 10, 2023, when he will retire.
			Appointed district court judge August 2007. Previously magistrate
			Stood for retention in 2010. 83% Retain. Weak for a chief judge.
			Stood for retention again in 2016. EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain
		Only a disgraceful 40% of attorneys voted to Retain while, incredibly, 50% voted Do Not Retain. There is obviously something wrong here.
Top County Judges
Anthony Nathaniel Baca Dolores County He also served as a magistrate.		Transferred to La Plata County court in 6th Judicial District in December 2022.
			Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on September 17, 2020. Previously in private practice.
			Stood for retention in November 2022. EJF recommendation: Retain
E. Dale Boyd Dolores County		Did not stand for retention in 2020 and retired.
			Appointed county court judge January 2005.
			Stood for retention in 2008.
			Stood for retention in 2012. EJF recommendation: Retain 92%
			Stood for retention again in 2016. EJF recommendation: Marginal 75% Retain, 25% Do Not Retain
JenniLynn Lawrence Montezuma County Division 1		Promoted to district court judge and transferred to 21st Judicial District on August 16, 2024.
			Appointed county court judge in November 2010 by Gov. Ritter.
			Stood for retention in 2014. EJF recommendation: Marginal, 76% Retain, 21% Do Not Retain
			Stood for retention again in 2018. EJF recommendation: Sub-Marginal She did even poorer in this evaluation with only 71% of attorneys voting to Retain.

			Stood for retention again in 2022. EJF recommendation: Retain 94% of attorneys voted to Retain with no dissenting votes.
Ian James MacLaren Montezuma County Division 1	970-677-2258		Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis effective June 1, 2024. Previously he was the Montezuma County Attorney and also the also the Dove Creek Municipal Court Judge.
Ian James MacLaren Montezuma County Division 1	970-677-2258	In July 2026 MacLaren was censured and suspended without pay for 90 days by the Commission on Judicial Discipline for inappropriate communications with a reporter regarding a diversion hearing he scheduled, made improper comments about a defendant during the hearing, and behaved in a manner amounting to abuse of his position by invoking his status as a judge when wildlife officials were giving him a ticket for a boating violation.
Todd Plewe Montezuma County		Promoted to district court judge in 2010.
			Appointed county court judge September 2002 by Gov. Owens.
			Stood for retention in 2004. 89% Retain.
			Stood for retention in 2008.
Kristen Tarrin Dolores County Division A	970-677-2258		Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Polis on January 2, 2025. She was previously, or still is a magistrate.
Susan W. Whicher Dolores County		Voted off the bench in November 2004 election.
Susan W. Whicher Dolores County			Stood for retention in 2004: 100% of attorneys voted to Retain.
Top Magistrates — As of September 2020 there are no magistrates on the bench in the 22^nd Judicial District.
Jeremy S. Botkins		No longer on bench as of September 2016.
Sarah F. Law		No longer on bench as of September 2020.
S. Leigh Meigs		No longer on bench as of September 2014.
Todd Jay Plewe		Promoted to county judge then to district court judge in 2010.
Shelley Rodriquez		No longer on bench as of September 2012.
Kristen Tarrin		Promoted to Dolores County court judge by Gov. Polis on January 2, 2025. Still shown as district court magistrate as of August 2026.
Douglas S. Walker		Promoted to District Judge.
Susan W. Whicher		Promoted to county court judge and then voted off the bench in November 2004.

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Last modified 9/7/26.

Twenty-Second Judicial District — Dolores and Montezuma Counties

Dolores County Courthouse

Montezuma District Court

Montezuma County Court

Table 37: Twenty-Second Judicial District Judges and Magistrates