GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — A western slope magistrate judge is the newest federal trial judge in Colorado.

Today the United States Senate voted to confirm Judge Gordon Gallagher to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Judge Gallagher was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 53-43.

Judge Gordon Gallagher has proven his charcter, integrity, and legal acumen over a distinguished 25-year career. And unlike anyone on the District Court in Colorado today, Judge Gallagher has spent the majority of his career on the Western Slope – developing a perspective on public lands, natural resources, and federal regulation that has prepared him to serce the United States and the people of Colorado. Judge Gallagher will draw from his experience on the federal bench and his unwavering commitment to the rule of law to achieve justice and equality for all Coloradans, and especially those along the West Slope and in Tribal communities.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet

Judge Gallagher has served Western Slope and Tribal families for years as a magistrate judge and former deputy district attorney. With today’s bipartisan confirmation, he’ll bring respect for the voices of long-overlooked communities to the U.S. District Court of Colorado

Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper

Judge Gallagher currently serves as co-chair on the Pro Se Prisoner Task Force, created to find ways to support and manage pro se litigation by state and federal prisoners. In 1991, he graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and 5 years later, he received his J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law.

Judge Gallagher is set to fulfill the fourth of five vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado that senators are working to fill or have filled. Since 2021, Judge Rodriguez, Judge Sweeney and Judge Wang received confirmations through the U.S. senate after the senators recommended them to the White House. Colorado senators Benett and Hickenlooper also recommended Judge Veronica Rossman to serve on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Senate confirmed her position as well. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals serves six states including Colorado.