VALLEY — Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday appointed Amanda C. Hopkins as the new District Court Judge in the 12th Judicial District. She fills a vacancy created by the death of the Honorable Patrick Hayes.

Hopkins has been a deputy public defender with the Alamosa Regional Office of the Colorado State Public Defender since November 2007. She has represented juvenile and adult clients in both misdemeanor and felony criminal proceedings. Since December 2011, she has also served as managing deputy public defender of the Alamosa office. In that capacity she divides her time between court administrative matters and representation of indigent clients accused of felony crimes.

Hopkins earned her B.A. from the University of Puget Sound in 2001 and her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2006.

“I am so honored and grateful to Governor Hickenlooper and his team for choosing me to be the next District Court Judge and to follow in the footsteps of Judge Hayes,” Hopkins stated. “I love living and working in the San Luis Valley and I am excited to continue to support my community in this new way. Thank you to everyone who supported me through this process, especially my significant other, Joe Martinez, our family, and our friends.”

Hopkins’ appointment was effective July 10.