NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 5/27/2016.
      
      
      SENATE BILL 16-153
      
      
      BY SENATOR(S) Crowder, Martinez Humenik, Scheffel;
      also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Wilson, Kagan, Melton, Mitsch Bush, Vigil.
      
      
      Concerning nominees for county court judges.
      
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 13-6-206 as
      follows:
      
           13-6-206.  Vacancies. (1)  If the office of a county judge, except in
      the city and county of Denver, becomes vacant because of death,
      resignation, failure to be retained in office pursuant to section 25 of article
      VI of the state constitution, or other cause, the governor, as provided in
      section 20 of article VI of the state constitution, shall appoint an individual
      possessing the qualifications specified in section 13-6-203.
      
           (2)  If the office of a county judge becomes vacant, the
      general assembly encourages the judicial district nominating
      commission in certifying the names of the nominees to the
      governor to give preference to persons who:
      
           (a)  Reside within the county in which the vacancy occurs;
      and
      
           (b)  Have been admitted to practice law in the state.
      
           SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
      takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
      ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August
      10, 2016, if adjournment sine die is on May 11, 2016); except that, if a
      referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state
      constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within
      such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless
      approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2016
      and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of
      the vote thereon by the governor.
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Bill L. Cadman                Dickey Lee Hullinghorst
      PRESIDENT OF                     SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Effie Ameen                            Marilyn Eddins
      SECRETARY OF                 CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO