Brian Boatright | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of theColorado Supreme Court | |
| In office January 1, 2021 – July 26, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | John Hickenlooper |
| Preceded by | Nathan B. Coats |
| Succeeded by | Monica Márquez |
| Associate Justice of theColorado Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office November 21, 2011 | |
| Appointed by | John Hickenlooper |
| Preceded by | Alex J. Martinez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1962-06-16)June 16, 1962 (age 62) Golden, Colorado, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Westminster College (BA) University of Denver (JD) |
Brian Boatright (born June 16, 1962) is an American lawyer and judge, who served as the chief justice of theColorado Supreme Court from January 1, 2021 to July 26, 2024.[1] He previously served as a judge on theColorado District Court from 1999 to 2011.[1]
Boatright was born inGolden, Colorado, and graduated fromJefferson High School inEdgewater, Colorado, in 1980.[1] He completed aBachelor of Arts degree in 1984 atWestminster College inFulton, Missouri, and received aJuris Doctor degree in 1988 from theSturm College of Law of theUniversity of Denver.[1][2]
After a brief period in private practice, Boatright served from 1990 to 1999 as a deputydistrict attorney in Colorado's 1st judicial district.[1] This district covers two counties,Gilpin andJefferson, which are immediately west ofDenver and part of theDenver metropolitan area.
In 1999, theRepublicanGovernorBill Owens appointed Boatright as a state judge on theJefferson County District Court.[1] He was elected to new term on the court in aretention election in 2002 with 72% of the vote, and again in 2008 with 96% of the vote.[3][4] Boatright oversaw more than 100 jury trials, and became known for his experience injuvenile court andfamily law.[2][5]
In 2011, JusticeAlex J. Martinez announced that he would resign, effective from October 31, 2011.[6] TheColorado Judicial Nominating Commission selected Boatright as one of three possible candidates to replace Martinez.[5] The other two candidates were attorney Frederick Martinez andUniversity of Colorado lawyer Patrick O'Rourke.[7]Democratic governorJohn Hickenlooper announced Boatright, a registeredRepublican, as his choice to replace Martinez on October 27, 2011.[5][8]
Boatright was sworn in as a member of theColorado Supreme Court on November 21, 2011.[1] He was re-elected to a new ten-year term in aretention election in November 2014, where he received 68.5% of the vote.[9] Boatright's current term on the court expires on January 14, 2025.[10] WhenNathan B. Coats retired on January 1, 2021, Boatright succeeded him as chief justice.[11]
| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Associate Justice of theColorado Supreme Court 2011–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chief Justice of theColorado Supreme Court 2021–2024 | Succeeded by |
Statewide political officials ofColorado | ||
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