Pueblo County native S. Kato Crews nominated to serve as Colorado District Judge

A Pueblo County native has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a District Judge for the State of Colorado.

Judge S. Kato Crews has served as a United States magistrate judge for the District of Colorado since 2018. Crews was the first Black magistrate judge for the District of Colorado, according to U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper.

Magistrate judges assist the district judges by handling pre-trial matters in civil and criminal cases and sometimes conduct trials. They also facilitate litigants in negotiating settlement agreements.

"Magistrate judges are typically the first judge the parties see in their case," Crews said in a 2019 interview with the Chieftain. "In civil cases, we might be the only judge the parties see over the life of their case."

While on the bench, Crews founded the Federal Limited Appearance Program (FLAP) with the Colorado Bar Association (CBA) Young Lawyers Division, which provides pro bono representation to pro se litigants during certain court hearings. He also sits on the Colorado Bar Association-Continuing Legal Education board, and regularly makes himself available to students and young lawyers for mentoring and guidance.

Crews was a founding partner of Mastin Hoffman & Crews LLC from 2011 to 2013, and Hoffman Crews Nies Waggener & Foster LLP from 2013 to 2018, where he focused on civil litigation and labor and employment law.

He was an associate at Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP from 2001 to 2008 and a partner from 2008 to 2010. From 2000 to 2001, he was a staff attorney at the National Labor Relations Board in Denver. Crews received his J.D. from the University of Arizona in 2000, and his B.A. from the University of Northern Colorado in 1997.

Crews also has deep ties to Pueblo.

One of his grandfathers, DeSoto Jordan, founded New Hope Baptist Church and his father, Napoleon Crews, was an attorney who earlier in his career ran a company that supplied security officers for the Colorado State Fair.

Before moving to Rye for high school, the future judge attended Belmont elementary and Heaton middle schools.

“A Pueblo native, Judge Crews has demonstrated a deep-seated commitment to the law for over two decades. He has used his experience in both private practice and as a Magistrate Judge to give back to the community, make the judiciary and his courtroom more accessible, and mentor the next generation of Colorado lawyers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds," Bennett said in a joint statement with Hickenlooper.

“With his experience, intellect, and character, Judge Crews will make a remarkable addition to Colorado’s District Court. I look forward to supporting his nomination, and urge my colleagues to quickly confirm him with a strong bipartisan vote.”

“Judge Kato Crews will bring his experience, intellect, and integrity back to the bench. His nomination is a win for Coloradans and the rule of law,” Hickenlooper said.

Crews declined to comment when contacted by the Chieftain.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo County native nominated to serve as Colorado District Judge