The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission has named four finalists to fill two upcoming district court judgeships following the retirements of John F. Neiley and Denise K. Lynch.

Neiley is retiring Oct. 8 and Lynch is retiring Nov. 29. The commission selected the finalists during its Aug. 18 meeting.

Nominees are Alexander Robert Haynes of Carbondale, John Edgar Mallonee of Glenwood Springs, Susan Michelle Ryan of Carbondale and Whitney Lynn Stark of Boulder.

Ryan, a water attorney and partner at Holland & Hart in Aspen, has been recognized for her litigation work. She previously served as a water referee for the Colorado River basin and as a magistrate in the 9th Judicial District.

Haynes, who leads the Glenwood Springs regional office of the Colorado State Public Defender, began his career as a legal intern and student attorney with the office before moving into his current leadership role.

Mallonee has practiced law in Glenwood Springs for more than two decades. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, he received his law degree in 1996 and works in areas including government, appeals and civil litigation, according to Lawyers.com.

Stark is an attorney based in Boulder.

Under the Colorado Constitution, Gov. Jared Polis has 15 days from Aug. 18 to appoint two of the nominees as district court judges in the 9th Judicial District, which covers Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties.