Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy E. Rice has appointed District Court Judge Carlos A. Samour, Jr. as the new chief judge for the 18th Judicial District (Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties).

He replaces retiring Chief Judge William B. Sylvester, who was appointed to the district court bench in August 2001 and named chief judge in October 2006. The appointment is effective July 1, 2014, when Chief Judge Sylvester steps down from the bench.

“Chief Judge Sylvester is to be commended for his leadership and dedicated service to the Judicial Branch. I wish him well in retirement; he will be missed,” Chief Justice Rice said.

“I trust that Judge Samour possesses the experience, skills and demeanor necessary to effectively
lead the 18th Judicial District. I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Judge Samour is a graduate of Columbine High School and graduated with honors from the University of Colorado at Denver with a degree in psychology. He received his law degree with honors from the University of Denver.

Following law school, Judge Samour clerked for Judge Robert McWilliams of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He then joined Holland & Hart in Denver and was in private practice for five years before serving as a deputy district attorney in Denver for 10 years. Judge Samour was appointed as a district court judge in 2006 and took the bench in 2007.

Judge Samour currently presides over 12CR1522, The People of the State of Colorado v. James Eagan Holmes. Once he becomes chief judge in July, he will continue to preside over 12CR1522 and a reduced docket.

Congratulations to Judge Samour and wish him the best of luck in the new position.