'We as a branch are in crisis': Colorado chief justice speaks about allegations during annual [View all]

‘We as a branch are in crisis’: Colorado chief justice speaks about allegations during annual address to lawmakers


Colorado Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright started his annual State of the Judiciary address on Thursday with a wavering voice.

He shared that when he reached out to a long-time employee of the Judicial Branch this past week, she told him that for the first time in her 20-year career, she was not proud to say where she worked.

“That broke my heart,” said Boatright, who was sworn in as chief justice on Jan. 1. During his address to state lawmakers, he vowed to bring a “culture change” to the judicial branch, which has been rocked by recent allegations of widespread misconduct at the highest level, as well as claims of sexual harassment and sexism.

In early February, allegations emerged in reporting by The Denver Post that former chief of staff Mindy Masias was awarded $2.5 million contract to prevent her from filing a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against the branch.

Read more:
https://coloradonewsline.com/2021/02/18/we-as-a-branch-are-in-crisis-colorado-chief-justice-addresses-allegations-during-annual-address-to-lawmakers/