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Grand County’s district attorney resigns

Grand County District Attorney Brett Barkey
Courtesy photo |

The 14th Judicial District Attorney Brett Barkey today submitted his letter of resignation to Gov. Jared Polis.

Barkey, whose jurisdiction includes Grand, Routt and Moffat counties, has served in the position since 2012.

“It has been the highlight of over three decades of public service to lead the dedicated team of professionals in this office,” Barkey said in a statement.



Barkey said it was “the right time” to hand the office to its next leaders because of volunteer and educational opportunities available to him. He has become increasingly involved with a volunteer organization, Team Rubicon, which responds to disasters and humanitarian crises across the U.S. He plans to increase his involvement and left for Hinsdale County last weekend to help mitigate flooding risks caused by avalanche debris from this winter.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Barkey has also been accepted into the University of Denver’s graduate program for economics on a GI Bill. That program starts in September, exactly 40 years after he walked through the same university’s doors as a freshman.



His current term was set to expire in 2020.

Barkey, who launched an unsuccessful run last year for state treasurer, recommended to Polis that Assistant District Attorney Matt Karzen be named his replacement.

A graduate of the Lowell Whiteman School in Steamboat Springs, Karzen has 25 years of prosecution experience, including four years as assistant DA.

“The office could be in no better hands,” Barkey said of Karzen in the news release.

Karzen said he has dreamed of this opportunity since his first year of law school in 1992.

“It’s humbling — that’s the only word I can really think of,” he said of Barkey’s recommendation. “I am quite excited about the opportunity if the governor selects me.”

Karzen would bring over 25 years of prosecution experience to the job, according to Barkey. 

“The office could be in no better hands,” Barkey said.

His resignation will become effective July 1.


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