SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 -- Two weeks after receiving three nominees for Denver County Court Judge from the Judicial Nominating Commission, Mayor John Hickenlooper announced his appointment, Clarisse Gonzales. Gonzales will begin as a Denver County Court Judge in January 2007 and will fill the vacancy created when Judge Kathleen Bowers retires.

“Once again, the recommendations from the judicial nominating process have shown that Denver has incredibly qualified and experienced candidates from which to choose,” Mayor Hickenlooper said. “Clarisse Gonzales’ diverse legal experience and unique skills will be an asset to Denver’s judicial system.”

Currently an 18th Judicial District Magistrate, Gonzales began her legal career with the law firm of Delgado & Reynolds in Washington, D.C. She later worked in the Office of the Prosecutor in Lake County, Ohio, and served as Deputy District Attorney for Colorado’s 17th Judicial District. Prior to becoming a Magistrate, Gonzales spent nine years in general law practice as a sole practitioner with an emphasis in adult criminal defense and Alternate Defense Counsel.

Gonzales received the 2006 Tommy Drinkwine Outstanding Attorney of the Year award from the Arapahoe County Bar Association for outstanding enthusiasm and commitment to community service. She has been involved in a number of civic, charitable and judicial-related endeavors, including serving as Co-Chair of the Arapahoe County Bar Association’s Diversity Committee, as Chair of both the Arapahoe Minority Over Representation Committee’s Youth Outreach Committee and Training Committee, and as a member of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, Sam Cary Bar Association, and Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado.

Gonzales received her law degree from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., and her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prepared by Mayor's Office. Contact: Lindy Eichenbaum Lent

The Denver County Court is pleased to announce that it has become a designated passport acceptance agent on behalf of the US Department of State. US citizens planning international travel may now apply for their passports in Room 140 of the City and County Building, located at 1437 Bannock Street. Hours of acceptance are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

“This cooperative effort provides citizens another way to access government services, meeting one of Mayor Hickenlooper’s and the Denver County Court’s primary goals: providing the highest quality customer service to the citizens of Denver,” said court administrator Matt McConville. “People who are in or near the City and County Building on other business will now be able to take care of one more task without making a separate trip to lower downtown.”