Arapahoe DA outlines staffing shortfalls, caseload pressures and phased plan to absorb Aurora filings

Amy Padden, the district attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District, told the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners at a study session that her office is carrying heavier violent caseloads than peer metro districts and is proposing a phased hiring plan and pay‑band changes to reduce strain and prepare for a possible transfer of some municipal filings from Aurora.

"Things have been going extremely well," Padden said, then added a caveat about workload: "On average, any of our line deputy district attorneys right now has a 49 cases. Some of them have more than a 49, which is concerning." She later noted the office handled 27 homicides in the prior year and that the district ran more felony jury trials in 2024 than peer districts except Denver.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that the office is already pursuing more homicide and serious‑violence prosecutions and that additional municipal filings from Aurora — including domestic violence cases — would further increase demand on prosecutors, victim‑services staff, court calendars and supporting units such as discovery and paralegal teams.

Padden said the office currently has about 72–73 attorney full‑time equivalents, with four vacancies at the time of the presentation and outstanding…