Brian Boatright, who attended DU’s law school in 1988, was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court by Gov. John John Hickenlooper on Oct. 27.

He replaces Justice Alex Martinez, who was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 1996.

To select a new member of the Supreme Court, the governor forms a committee to make the determination. Prospective candidates go through a merit-based application process, which is then judged by the committee. After the application they are interviewed, and it is narrowed down to the three best candidates who are then interviewed again.

As a Supreme Court Justice, Boatright will initially be subject to a retention election instead of running against another candidate. The decision is based on a performance evaluation and is made as to whether to or not to keep him. If retained, it adds an additional seven years of service.

“What does this mean for the DU College of Law?” said Martin Katz, Dean of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. “The process is competitive; it makes our school one of the most competitive in the state and the nation.”