Colorado district attorney resigns due to staffing shortage

A Western Slope district attorney resigned at the end of October after a 17-year career, citing unmanageable difficulties in retaining and replacing prosecutors in his rural office. 

Seth Ryan, 55, announced his resignation Sept. 23 and removed himself from re-election in the race for 7th Judicial District Attorney. That office supports courts in Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, San Miguel, Ouray and Hinsdale counties.

"The COVID pandemic and the political aftermath of current events has made it extremely challenging to find, recruit, and retain qualified attorneys," Ryan stated in his resignation letter. "There is a nationwide and statewide shortage of attorneys that has been exacerbated by an economy that has shown historically low unemployment, labor supply, and inflation. Over the past four years, the District Attorney's Office has had an average attorney turnover rate of 32% per year with a turnover rate of 56% in 2024. It is no longer sustainable for me to cover the daily requirements of court schedules across our nearly 10,000 square mile District while effectively managing, developing, and supervising staff; circumstances beyond my control cannot be overcome.

"This year has taken a significant toll on my physical and mental health," he added. 

Ryan's last day in office was Oct. 31. 

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appointed Jessica J. Waggoner to be Ryan's temporary replacement starting Nov. 1. Waggoner is an Assistant District Attorney in the 7th Judicial District Attorney's Office. She has worked there since 2008. 

State Republicans nominated Anna Cooling for the district attorney position after Ryan announced his resignation. Cooling ran unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election and received all votes for the position. 

At full staff, the 7th DA's Office employs 16 attorneys. Ryan started working in the office in 2007 and was elected DA in 2020. 

Ryan recently told the Montrose Daily Press that the office files approximately 5,000 cases a year and was never at full staff during his 17 years there. 

Colorado District Attorneys Council Executive Director Tom Raynes, a former 7th DA, told the Daily Press that keeping rural offices fully staffed has been "a tough go" in the four or five years. He is concerned this will remain an ongoing problem.

"It's a lot to ask of a rural prosecutor to run an administrative office, to be the HR, to be the trainer, to be the mentor, and to also carry a full caseload," Raynes said. "It's just asking for burnout."