Severance council appoints presiding municipal judge, two alternates and sets pay

Severance, Colo. — At a special meeting in February, the Severance Town Council appointed Adam Stevens as presiding municipal judge, named Holly Cohon and Thomas Joaquin as alternate judges and adopted ordinances establishing compensation for the presiding and alternate judges.

Mayor Aaron Friess said the council’s judicial-appointment committee interviewed five candidates over two days before recommending the appointments. “We interviewed five candidates over a period of two days,” Friess said during the meeting.

The council voted unanimously on four items tied to the appointments. The actions included two resolutions to appoint the presiding and alternate judges and two ordinances adopting pay for the presiding judge and the alternates. Town attorney/staff member Dave Wharton told the council that “the resolutions are for appointing the presiding judge and two backups; the ordinances establish the salary for each position.”

The presiding judge position was set at $9,600 per year; the ordinance also specifies a substitute or stipend amount of $800 for a judge who fills in. The council discussed a contract clause that requires at least 60 days’ notice or notice before two court dates; council members said they had insisted on that term during interviews to reduce the chance of short-notice departures. Council member Myers praised that provision, calling it a “very good idea” that gives the town a buffer.

The appointment resolution named Adam Stevens as presiding municipal judge. The council also approved a resolution appointing Holly Cohon and Thomas Joaquin as alternate municipal judges; staff said they plan to contact Cohon first and Joaquin second regarding order of service if needed. Councilors and the mayor said the committee had emerged with three top candidates and that all candidates accepted the 60-day/ two-court-date notice requirement during interviews.

All four measures passed on roll calls with unanimous support from seated council members present at the special meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-06R — Appoint Adam Stevens as presiding municipal judge: Approved (unanimous roll call). Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Vandermark; Second: Council member Myers. - Ordinance 2025-06 — Establish presiding municipal judge annual salary ($9,600) and substitute stipend ($800): Adopted (unanimous roll call). Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Vandermark; Second: Council member Myers. - Resolution 2025-07R — Appoint Holly Cohon and Thomas Joaquin as alternate municipal judges: Approved (unanimous roll call). Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Vandermark; Second: Council member Barrett. - Ordinance 2025-07 — Establish compensation for alternate municipal judges: Adopted (unanimous roll call). Mover: Council member Myers; Second: Council member Bruin.

The meeting lasted about 17 minutes from the 5:00 p.m. start to adjournment at 5:17 p.m. The council said appointing two alternates aims to reduce disruption to court schedules if a presiding judge leaves; members noted that, because Colorado is an at-will employment state, officials cannot fully prevent midterm departures but can seek contractual notice to ease transitions.

The special meeting record shows no public comment and no substantive opposition from council members. The council adjourned without further business.