As a district judge, Judge Deganhart handles criminal, juvenile delinquency, civil cases over $15,000, probate, juvenile, mental health and domestic relations.
Before her appointment as District Judge in July 2011, Judge Deganhart, of Ridgway, was the Ouray County Attorney, where she served since 2006. She represented the Board of County Commissioners at all public hearings and in litigation involving contracts, bonds, road disputes and appeals of the Board’s quasi-judicial actions, including appeals of judicial decisions. Judge Deganhart was in private practice starting in 1985 and had her own law firm from 1993 through 2006 in Pagosa Springs. Her private practice had a significant emphasis on real estate and related matters. She also worked as a contract attorney for Archuleta County from 2000 through 2005.
Judge Deganhart earned a bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest College near Chicago and a J.D. from University of Denver College of Law. Judge Deganhart was sworn in August 15, 2011.