4th Judicial District Judge Steven Pelican retiring

The 4th Judicial District's most senior active judge, Steven Pelican, said last week that he is retiring in January after 22 years on the bench.

Pelican, appointed a district judge by former Gov. Dick Lamm in 1986, has presided over many high-profile cases, including the Valentine's Day murders of two Colorado Springs teens in 1997 and the trial of Cornerstone Baptist Church officials who baptized children at a camp without their parents' permission, also in 1997.

He is hearing the case of Deborah Nicholls, accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of her three children in a 2003 arson. That trial is scheduled for August.

"It's been an honor to serve in this job," he said. "It's like getting up and going to school; each day you learn so much."

Pelican said he likely wouldn't be stepping down were it not for a senior judge program that allows judges to serve 60 days per year.

"It's a rewarding job - it's not an easy thing to retire from it," he said.

Pelican's retirement is a blow to the district, many said.

"Judge Pelican is universally considered one of the best judges in the courthouse," said attorney Michael Moran. "And that's among all lawyers. He's just got this uncanny ability to be calm."

Those who have appeared in front of Pelican describe his style as patient, thoughtful and fair.

Moran remembers when Pelican sentenced a client of his. The client had a baby in the courtroom.

"Pelican told him to turn and look at that baby and said, ‘This is what it's really about - you may never see him again,'" Moran said. "It struck home not only with my client, but everyone in the courtroom."

During a sentencing last year, a murderer's mother wailed, screamed and ranted for almost 20 minutes, causing some attorneys to cover their ears. Pelican listened to every word, unfazed.

"He's really thoughtful in how he sentences people," said Niki Allen, his court reporter for 22 years. "He's so fair to everyone."

Allen said she's learned patience working with Pelican.

"He sits and listens to what people have to say," she said. "A lot of times, people don't get their say. He's always said if people can just state what they want to state, they get it off their chest and it's just a lot better."

Pelican scored high marks in surveys from the Commission on Judicial Performance.

The last, when he stood for retention in 2006, praised his work.

"Judge Pelican scored high in all areas of the survey, which include demeanor, fairness, communications, diligence and application of the law," the commission stated, noting that 90 percent of attorneys surveyed recommended his retention.

"It's certainly a loss for all of us," said District Judge Thomas Kennedy. "He probably has the perfect demeanor to be a judicial officer - he never gets rattled."

Kennedy said Pelican is also a good mentor.

"If you'd go to him with a question, he'd undoubtedly know the answer, but he would talk you through the process and let you arrive at the conclusion on your own," Kennedy said.

Pelican, a 1971 graduate of the University of Colorado Law School, was honored in March by the school with the 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award in the Judiciary category.

He's also a community activist. Most notably, he and his wife, Debi Pelican, co-founded the Colorado Springs Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. His two oldest daughters, Samantha and Libby, were born with the hereditary disease that fills the lungs with thick, choking mucus and often leads to early death.

Samantha is getting a doctorate in psychology from the University of Denver, and Libby, also a CU graduate, is going back to get her master's degree in speech language pathology.

"He's always been there to reach out to others in need of support," Kennedy said.

"He's a one of a kind."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0110 or dennis.huspeni@gazette.com