Salary: $116,329.00 - $174,493.00 Annually
Location : Castle Rock, CO, CO
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 2026 - 3331
Department/Office: District Attorney's Office
Opening Date: 09/11/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt

Summary of Position

The 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Deputy District Attorney - Appeals to serve as an appellate advocate and subject-matter expert on high-level legal issues affecting the District. This senior role is central to shaping criminal jurisprudence in Colorado and ensuring the fair and consistent administration of justice throughout Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties.

You will litigate complex matters before the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and District Courts within the 23rd Judicial District. In addition, this position oversees several specialized legal areas critical to the Office's operations, including CCJRA/CORA issues, civil forfeiture, sealings, and civil litigation.
This position is ideal for an attorney who thrives on sophisticated legal analysis, constitutional interpretation, mentoring trial deputies, and handling impactful appellate and civil matters.

Example of Duties
Key Responsibilities
Appellate Litigation

• Represent the People of the State of Colorado in the Colorado Supreme Court in certiorari matters, original proceedings under C.A.R. 21, and interlocutory appeals under C.A.R. 4.1.
• Prosecute state-initiated appeals and cross-appeals in the Colorado Court of Appeals involving pretrial, trial, and sentencing issues under C.A.R. 4 and 4.1.
• Handle defense-initiated misdemeanor appeals and state-initiated suppression appeals in Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln County District Courts under Crim. P. 37 and 37.1.

Specialized Legal Areas

• Advise on Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) and Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) matters, including litigation, compliance, and policy development.
• Oversee and litigate civil forfeiture cases, ensuring statutory compliance and ethical enforcement.
• Manage record sealing determinations and related motions, providing guidance on statutory interpretation and procedural requirements.
• Handle or coordinate civil litigation involving the District Attorney's Office, including constitutional claims, subpoenas, writs, and other civil matters impacting operations.

Legal Research & Writing

• Conduct extensive research on complex and emerging criminal and constitutional issues.
• Draft appellate briefs, motions, legal memoranda, and respond to postconviction filings.
• Present oral arguments before appellate courts.
• Prepare responses and litigate postconviction matters, including Crim. P. 35(c) claims, clemency and pardon requests, and Forensic Science Integrity Act filings.

Support for Trial Deputies

• Provide legal guidance on motions, evidentiary matters, trial strategy, and post-conviction issues.
• Offer support in significant cases involving complex legal, instructional, or constitutional questions.

Policy, Strategy & Training

• Develop legal strategies involving evolving constitutional, statutory, and procedural issues.
• Assist with drafting proposed legislation and amendments to the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Serve as a legal expert and training resource for prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, and partner agencies.

Minimum Qualifications
Qualifications & Competencies

• Minimum of 5 years of appellate experience or substantially related criminal litigation experience.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal law, appellate rules, the rules of criminal procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills with the ability to present complex legal issues clearly and persuasively.
• Capacity to fairly balance the interests of victims, the community, and defendants.
• Strong critical-thinking skills and rapid, well-reasoned courtroom and legal analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, judges, defense counsel, law enforcement partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, professionalism, and the mission of the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check including fingerprinting through a national database.
Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License upon hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment.
Additional Information

For more information on job functions, requirements and to apply please visit:

Douglas County offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision.
For a more detailed overview please view the full .

The job details outlined in this posting may represent a modified summary of the full job description. For a full copy of the job description to view our job classifications.

In the event of an emergency/disaster in or near the County, all County employees are expected to make every effort to be available to assist the County Manager, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Directors to ensure the continued operation of any and all necessary County functions. This may mean being available to perform additional duties and hours beyond what is normally required. In the event that an exempt employee does work more than 40 hours a week in support of County operations during an emergency, such employee may receive overtime or other appropriate wage compensation in accordance with existing County policies or at the discretion of the County.

• Please include a full and complete history of your work experience in your application. Failure to include information may result in disqualification.

Douglas County offers a comprehensive benefit package. For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, click on the link below.

Why Douglas County? We offer excellent benefits to our employees!

• 11 ½ paid holidays each year + a floating holiday
• 9 hours of paid vacation per month
• 8 hours of paid sick time per month
• Medical insurance employees can choose from two plan options: United Healthcare Doctors Plan or United Healthcare HDHP Plan
• Life insurance 2 times employee salary at no cost to employee
• Mandatory retirement - defined contribution of 8% - matched at 8%
• Annual performance reviews with potential for an increase

Additionally, we offer dental, vision, accident/critical illness insurance, tuition reimbursement, and employee training.