Michael Gonzales is the Chief Judge of the 12 Judicial District.  He took the district court bench in October 2011 and was appointed Chief Judge in January 2020.  Prior to his appointment to the district court, Chief Judge Gonzales was the Alamosa County Court judge.  Chief Judge Gonzales was also a deputy district attorney for the 12th Judicial District for ten years prior to becoming the Alamosa County Court judge.  Chief Judge Gonzales received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Creighton University in 1993.  He graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1996.  Chief Judge Gonzales has been involved in local youth sports and has served on the board of directors for the Caring for Colorado Foundation since 2010.