County Attorney

Located in spectacular southwest Colorado, San Miguel County (pop. 8,082, 1,289 sq. mi.) has stunning scenic beauty and a rich, colorful history. From the dramatic San Juan Mountains and Telluride’s world-class skiing in the east to the mesas, farms, and high-desert ranches to the west, the county is geographically and socio-economically diverse, a state and national treasure. Public lands account for about 64% of all land within the county. The San Miguel River flows from the mountains east of Telluride and gives the county its name. The adopted FY 2024 Budget of $36.2 million (GF $17.1 million) supports 133 FTE.

Appointed by and reporting directly to the board of commissioners, the county attorney is San Miguel County’s chief legal officer and provides concise, clear, and timely legal advice and counsel to the Board, elected officials, the county manager, and the county’s departments.  The county has enjoyed great stability and high-quality, professional legal representation in the county attorney position, with only two persons serving in the role in the last 30 years. The county attorney supervises a trusting, close-knit team: an assistant county attorney, a paralegal, and various contract legal counsel. The FY 2024 departmental budget is $535,953.

Excellent legal skills, a minimum of five years of experience, the majority of which were spent practicing Colorado local government law, preferably on behalf of a county, and a juris doctor from an accredited law school are required. A candidate licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado, who is active and in good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court, is strongly preferred, but the Board will also accept applications from candidates able to obtain admission to the Colorado Bar quickly (on motion) from a reciprocal jurisdiction. Residency within the county is preferred.  In-person attendance in the office and at public meetings will be required.

Filing Deadline: August 11, 2024

Contact: Andrew (Drew) Gorgey at (970) 987-1238 (direct)

Full information: https://columbialtd.com/recruitments

Cover letter and resume only to: apply@columbialtd.com

The hiring range for this position is $165,000 to $195,000 DOQE. Benefits include medical (multiple deductible options), dental, vision, life, supplemental life, and long-term disability insurances; eight weeks of paid parental leave (after one year); down payment assistance (after two years); supplemental insurances (Masa, AFLAC) available; flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, and eligible transit); and an EAP. Retirement benefits through the Colorado Retirement Association are 401(a) mandatory (5% employee, county matches 100%), 457(b) optional (county matches up to 1.5%). Paid vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays, four personal days (32 hours). Tuition and education reimbursement. Benefits also include attorney registration fees, bar association memberships, continuing legal education, conferences, professional development customary to the position, and reasonably related travel expenses. Relocation assistance and a county-owned housing unit (two-bedroom) are available and subject to negotiation.