Seventh Judicial District - Hinsdale County Court Judge
Honorable Larry Everett Vickers
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Vickers, 43, who has been the Hinsdale County judge for the past 12 years, is one of two non-lawyer judge now serving in the 7th Judicial District. Vickers received a master’s degree from Western State College in Gunnison in 1971 and worked as a public school teacher for eight years prior to sitting on the bench. He owns and operates a dude ranch.
Vickers is involved with the Hindsdale County Chamber of Commerce, fire department, church and community corrections.
The judge handles traffic cases, preliminary hearings in criminal cases, and civil cases in which the claims do not exceed $5,000. He is a 20% part-time judge, and averages only 60 cases per year, or about five per month although, in reality, most of his court work is concentrated during the tourist and hunting seasons. Yet, because many of his cases involve nonresidents, Judge Vickers says he maintains a flexible schedule, arranging court sessions at a moment’s notice when needed. In 12 years, Vickers has not had a jury trial.
Of those surveyed, only one suggested non-retention. All others were satisfied with his performance or could not make a recommendation for lack of contact with the Hinsdale County Court. Because of the limited exposure of his court, few responses to the questionnaires were received. The response of the community and his reputation in general are both favorable.