Re: ‘I’m a public servant, and I’m not a public slave.’ Colorado DA defends 6 1/2 weeks vacation April 29 news story.
District Attorney Bruce Brown. (Photo from the State of Colorado website)
The Denver Post s article regarding elected District Attorney Bruce Brown s vacation days, which said he took 6 ½ weeks off last year, mischaracterized his work ethic.
DA Brown is committed to his community: victims, accused, constituents and employees.
The 5th Judicial District is a huge jurisdiction requiring long-distance travel between four offices. That doesn t slow down Brown, who is available to each office and each employee nearly 24 hours a day. Midnight warrant or murder investigation, Brown is accessible.
Brown can be reached by employees, the coroner, law enforcement, and the defense bar — who regularly call to negotiate cases at the highest level. The media has easy access to DA Brown and reporters continue to cover numerous 5th Judicial cases, keeping the community and state apprised of mountain matters.
DA Brown is often found hard at work in any one of the four offices by 6 a.m., leaving for Eagle, Leadville, Breckenridge or Georgetown by 4 or 5 a.m., followed by a full workday and more.
When I worked for Brown, he spent a Saturday with my trial partner and me working through nuances of a tough case.
The reality is that elected district attorneys work long hours preparing cases. Time off of work allows DAs to recharge in order to make critical decisions seeking justice for victims, those accused, and our communities.
DA Brown is always on call. Vacation for him just means he is not physically in the office building — but virtually, he is available and hard at work.
Lisa Hunt, Denver
The writer was a deputy district attorney in Colorado s 5th Judicial District from 2013-15.
This letter was published in the May 8 edition.
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