Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright has appointed the Hononrable Todd Jay Plewe to serve as chief judge of the 22nd Judicial District, which includes Dolores and Montezuma counties.

Plewe will replace Chief Judge Douglas S. Walker on Jan. 10, 2023, upon Walker’s retirement.

“Chief Judge Walker’s long term of service – 10 years as a district and county court magistrate and 15 years as district judge – is a testament to his commitment to public service, and I wish him the best in retirement,” Chief Justice Boatright said. “I also look forward to working with Judge Plewe in this role and am confident in his leadership abilities.”

Plewe, who served as the Montezuma County Judge from 2002 to 2010, was appointed to the district court in 2010. Before his judicial appointment, he maintained a private practice after earning his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law.

As chief judge, he will serve as the administrative head of the district, responsible for appointing the court executive, chief probation officer and clerk of court, assisting in personnel, financial and case management duties, and seeing that the business of the courts is conducted efficiently and effectively.

Former District Attorney Will Furse was appointed Sept. 7 by Gov. Jared Polis to fill the district judge vacancy created by Walker’s retirement.

Furse served two terms as district attorney, 2012-2020. After being term-limited, he was hired as assistant district attorney in 2021.