We are excited to announce, on May 8, 2026, Governor Jared Polis appointed Leslee K. Balten to the Eagle County Court in Colorado’s 5th Judicial District. The new judgeship, created under Senate Bill 25-024, takes effect July 1, 2026.
Balten brings nearly two decades of legal experience to the bench. She currently serves as a partner and Breckenridge office manager at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C., where she has practiced since 2011, focusing on domestic and civil matters. Since 2023, she has also served as a mediator and arbitrator at Divorce Resolutions, LLC. This experience that will serve her well in a court setting requiring careful, impartial judgment.
Her career reflects a steady progression through private practice, including an associate attorney role and earlier work as a program director at Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. She began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Catherine A. Lemon, a formative experience that laid the groundwork for her return to the judiciary.
Balten earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2000 and her law degree from Vermont Law School in 2007.
With her background in family law, civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution, Judge-designate Balten is well-positioned to serve the Eagle County community.