COLORADO SPRINGS, CO –Those worried about an outstanding arrest warrant and unsure of how to clear it have a free resource to assist them in resolving their case. This Friday, Dec. 6, the 4th Judicial District will host the Second Chances Warrant Clearance and Community Resource Day for El Paso and Teller counties, where participants can come and work with community partners to have their outstanding warrants cleared.

Second Chances will be held on Dec. 6, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Paso County Courthouse (270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903). The courts, public defenders, and district attorneys for the 4^th Judicial District will come together to help people clear their warrants, including those for probation violations, and connect with resources to move forward and resolve their legal matters successfully.

Offenses eligible for warrant clearance include municipal, misdemeanor or traffic offenses, class 4 drug felonies, and class 5 and 6 felonies. Ineligible offenses include any warrants for the Victim Rights Act, felonies, assault, domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, child abuse, careless driving involving death cases, and juveniles with no parent or guardian present.

For questions about Second Chances or to verify eligibility, contact the Office of the Colorado Public Defender at 719-475-1235. For municipal warrants, contact the court at 719-385-6153. For more information, visit coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/el-paso-county.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The Fourth Judicial District is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of Division CARE (Court Assisted Recovery from Eviction), Colorado’s only eviction recovery program of its kind. Launched as a pilot program with grant funding from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) on Nov. 27, 2023, Division CARE has significantly impacted the lives of tenants and landlords by addressing housing insecurity and stabilizing the local community. 

On average, the Fourth Judicial District sees nearly 750 eviction cases filed each month. The program has steadily grown to provide assistance to 100 of those cases every month. This translates into over 13% of all monthly Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) filings being successfully connected to essential resources, frequently resulting in cases being dismissed before trial can even occur. These efforts have helped participants avoid eviction, secure stable housing, and access mediation or legal assistance. 

“Division CARE has proven that innovative, collaborative approaches can make a difference in reducing housing instability,” said Magistrate Andrea Paprzycki, the program’s founder. “By working with community partners, we have turned a critical challenge into an opportunity to restore dignity and hope for individuals and families facing eviction.” 

One program participant shared, “For the very first time in my life, I do not feel like I have to carry the weight of the world all by myself, and I am so very grateful for you and for my judge yesterday who told me about this program.”  

As Colorado faces housing affordability challenges, Division CARE serves as a model for other districts and jurisdictions considering similar programs. 

The Fourth Judicial District serves El Paso and Teller counties and is committed to providing fair and accessible justice for all.  

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The Colorado Judicial Branch works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together, our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution, support for families, litigants, and victims, client rehabilitation, and meaningful community engagement.

Governor to appoint new district court judge

The Fourth Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a district court judgeship created by the retirement of the Hon. Monica J. Gomez, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Nominees Theodore Paul McClintock of Colorado Springs, Michael A. Watts and Sarah Elizabeth Zane of Monument were selected by the commission on Aug. 21, 2024.

Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from Aug. 22, 2024, to appoint one of the nominees as district court judge for the Fourth Judicial District (El Paso and Teller counties).

Comments regarding any of the nominees may be sent via e-mail to the governor at gov_judicialappointments@state.co.us

Editor’s Note: Contact information for the three nominees

• Theodore Paul McClintock. 101 N. Cascade Ave., Suite 100A, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. 719-520-3968
• Michael A. Watts. 101 N. Cascade, Suite 420, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. 719-884-2853
• Sarah Elizabeth Zane. 270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80902. 719-452-5533