VALLEY — Longtime 12th Judicial District Chief Judge Robert W. Ogburn has penned his 18th booklet mostly pertaining to the history of law in the San Luis Valley.

“San Luis Valley District Judges” recaps the history of the position here and describes each of the 30 men and women who have been seated at that bench over the past 163 years since Colorado Territory was created in 1861. Historically, the SLV has been in four judicial districts since then, becoming the 12th District in 1891.

The first Valley resident to hold the position was Thomas M. Bowen of Del Norte from 1876-1880 in what was then the 4th Judicial District.

This is Ogburn’s second edition chronically recording the history of district judges here from 1861 through 2024, the first edition having been published in 1977.

Four judges currently hold that position here: Michael A. Gonzales of Alamosa, appointed in 2011, Amanda C. Hopkins of Alamosa, 2018, Crista L. Newmyer-Olsen of Mosca, 2020, and Kimberly D. Cortez-Rodriguez of LaJara, 2022. Hopkins is currently the chief judge for the 12th district.

Judge Ogburn, 86, who retired as a full-time jurist in 2003, served as DA in the Valley for three years after an appointment by then Governor John A. Love in late 1969. He was a deputy DA for four years prior to his appointment and was a district judge for 26 years.

One of the highlights of Ogburn’s term as DA saw him as the first Colorado district attorney to use the 1971 Statewide Grand Jury Act, resulting in 56 people indicted on drug charges.

He moved to Pueblo West in 2004 and continued to serve as a senior judge for the State of Colorado until 2013. He also served as a mediator and arbitrator from 2005 to 2017.

In his latest release, Ogburn opens with “An irreverent introduction,” quoting “In the beginning, before there were attorneys, God interrogated Cain, without advisement of Miranda rights, found him guilty of murder, and sentenced him to exile in the land of Nod.” Genesis 4:1-16.

The booklet details the history of territorial courts of Colorado from 1861-1876, transitioning to Colorado’s statehood and formation of the original state constitution in 1876. It goes on to describe the development of Colorado judicial districts and how the 12th district was created.

Ogburn writes, “Socrates (469-399 B.C.) suggested that there were four virtues of being a good judge: ‘to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially.’ Good advice then – good advice today.”

Additional local history is included in the booklet, with present and historic photos of courthouses across the SLV.

“San Luis Valley District Judges” is available at Narrow Gauge Book Co-op in Alamosa with copies available for perusal at the Alamosa Public Library.