Colorado Women's Bar Association upcoming events

2026 Sponsorship for the CWBA 49th Annual Convention (December 15, 2025)

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:00:00 GMT

Interested in sponsoring our 2026 Convention?

We offer various sponsorship levels and other marketing opportunities.

Download our 2026 sponsorship packet here.

Custom packages are available upon request to help meet your marketing and networking goals -- let's talk about partnership opportunities!

Please contact CWBA Executive Director Amanda Beck for more details: 303-831-1040 or execdir@cwba.org.

www.cwba.org/convention

CWBA Policy Action Committee Meeting (May 04, 2026)

Mon, 04 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The Policy Action Committee typically meets the first Monday of the month at Noon. New members always welcome!

The Policy Action Committee (previously called the Public Policy Committee) monitors national, state, and local legislation to protect and advocate for the interests of women and children. It works with contracted lobbyists to draft and weigh in on proposed legislation and its impact. This Committee is not charged with planning an annual fundraiser each year - it will focus on prioritizing the CWBA’s legislative agenda for the year, and communicating with diversity bar associations and stakeholders on furthering that agenda. The Committee will partner with the Officer of Community Action and Advocacy to ensure synergies between CWBA’s legislative efforts, community service, and amicus brief participation. The Committee will also partner with the Officer of Communications when input is needed regarding public statements and civic education opportunities.

For more information, contact our Policy Action Committee Co-Chairs Morgan Carroll and Iris Halpern.

CWBA Inclusive Education and Training Committee Meeting (May 05, 2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 23:30:00 GMT

The Inclusive Education and Training Committee (formerly Programs Committee) typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month over Zoom (or in person).

The Inclusive Education and Training Committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of lifelong learning and professional development within the Colorado legal community with the lens of advancing women as leaders in the law. Through innovative and inclusive training programs, this committee will develop and deliver high-quality continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities that address the evolving needs of women legal professionals. The committee’s mission is to: design and implement CLE programs that reflect diverse perspectives, promote equity, and ensure accessibility for all members; highlight emerging trends and critical topics in the legal profession, including technology, diversity, and leadership development; and partner with law firms, legal organizations, and community groups to provide collaborative and impactful learning experiences. The Committee will be charged with bringing CLE programming to members consistently throughout the year (at least one per quarter). The Committee will work with the Officer of Professional Development on creating spaces for dialogue, growth, and empowerment. The co-chairs may also work closely with the Officer of Community Action and Advocacy to develop and implement community training opportunities.

For more information about this committee or the next committee meeting, please contact the Committee Co-Chairs Ellen Blatt and Leanna Gavin.

CWBA Convention Committee Prep Session (May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

The Convention Committee will meet to prepare registration materials for Convention!

Light refreshments and snacks provided

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include selecting the site for the Convention, negotiating the contract for the site and selecting a keynote speaker. The committee also plans the Convention theme, identifies and contacts speakers for Convention programs, solicits sponsors, and coordinates Convention entertainment, and many other logistics and plans.

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Members Angie Nelson and Elizabeth Horton

CWBA Bench Builders Judicial Committee Meeting (May 14, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The Bench Builders Judicial Committee has changed its meeting for this month to the fourth Thursday of the month from 12:15-1 p.m. New members always welcome!

Building the Bench: The Magistrate Pathway

At this special Bench Builders Judicial Committee meeting, we are excited to have a discussion with one district court judge and two current magistrates who began their judicial careers as magistrates. This conversation will highlight the magistrate's role as a meaningful pathway to the bench.

We will discuss how to prepare for the role, the skills and insight gained through the experience, and how serving as a magistrate judge can shape a trajectory to county and district court appointments. The discussion will also center on how expanding this pathway can help build a judiciary that reflects the communities it serves.

Bios

Ashley Ratliff was appointed as a District Court Magistrate in Adams County in June 2022 and is currently assigned to a Criminal Court Docket. Prior to that, she presided over a Juvenile Dependency and Neglect Docket for three years where Magistrate Ratliff created a committee of stakeholders to Celebrate Family Reunifications and Foster Youth Emancipation celebrations; this effort is now known as Celebrating the Finish Line. Magistrate Ratliff was also the recipient of CASA’s Judicial Officer of the Year award in 2025. Over the course of her almost 20 year-career, Magistrate Ratliff has been recognized for both her trial work and her scholarship in the realm of juvenile and family law. Magistrate Ratliff is an author, editor, and nationally recognized expert in comprehensive, holistic, child-centered advocacy for youth and families. Working alongside national organizations, Ms. Ratliff co-authored guidelines, standards of practice and reports for the U.S. Department of Justice as well as national and local practitioners alike. She also co-edited and authored the seminal textbook, Criminal Defense-Based Forensic Social Work, which is the first publication of its kind in the field. She earned a Master of Social Work at San Diego State University simultaneous with her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law.

Judge Vise was appointed as district court judge in 2024 in the 11th Judicial District. She presides over a mixed docket in Salida, Colorado. Prior to her appointment, she was a district court magistrate, also in the 11th Judicial District, presiding over district court civil cases, domestic relations cases, and juvenile delinquency cases from 2022 to 2024. Before joining the bench she was an appellate attorney and trial attorney in Denver with the Colorado Public Defender’s Office.

Judge LaQunya Baker-McKay received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a concentration in Media Studies and a Minor in African American Studies from The College of Charleston. During that time Judge Baker-McKay interned with the United States House of Representative Jim Clyburn before attending law school at the Charlotte School of Law in Charlotte, North Carolina. After interning with the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office in Charlotte, Judge Baker-McKay decided to serve as a Deputy State Public Defender for the State of Colorado in Golden. Following her time as a public defender, Judge Baker-McKay practiced as a general civil litigation association in state and federal courts throughout the United States before returning to criminal defense with the Office of Alternate Defense Council.

After briefly serving as a part-time Magistrate for the Denver County Court bench, Governor Jared Polis appointed Judge Baker-McKay to the Arapahoe County Court bench on July 1, 2022. On July 28, 2023, Judge Baker-McKay was sworn in as the first Black woman to the Arapahoe County District Court bench following her appointment by Governor Polis. Judge Baker-McKay presides over a Criminal docket and a Competency docket. She is currently adjunct faculty with the University of Denver and has had the pleasure of teaching law students since 2021.

In addition to her current service on the Colorado Bar Association – Criminal Law Section Executive Board, Judge Baker has been a long-time member of the Sam Cary Bar Association. She previously served as the President of the Young Lawyers Division for Sam Cary, the Vice President of the organization, and Parliamentarian. Judge Baker is a proud member of the First Cohort for the Judicial Equity Project with the Colorado Supreme Court Administrator’s Office.

The Bench Builders Judicial Committee engages membership in the diversification of Colorado’s bench; promotes a well-qualified, diverse judiciary; advocates for the appointment of judicial officers who will further the CWBA’s mission; actively engages in the appointment of judges by interviewing short-listed candidates for Colorado’s state district courts, the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court, Federal District Court of Colorado, and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals; and provides feedback on and endorsements of the candidates to the Governor's Office. The newly envisioned Bench Builders meets monthly to identify additional opportunities for diversification of the bench and to create pipelines for members to become judicial officers. The Committee will partner with the Officer of Communication for opportunities for community education regarding the judicial nomination and evaluation processes.

For more information, contact our Bench Builders Judicial Committee Co-Chairs Rebecca Cohn and Cynthia Sánchez.

CWBA 49th Annual Convention at The Hythe Vail (May 15, 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

REGISTER NOW, book your hotel room, and start making plans to join us May 15 - 17, 2026, for the CWBA's 49th Annual Convention in Vail!

New this year: ALL MEALS are included in the registration price!

Click here to see the tentative programming schedule.

Click here to watch a highlights video from the 2025 Convention.

Visit the Convention webpage for news and updates, including hotel and speaker details (coming soon!).

The Hythe Vail group booking site is live for you to reserve your hotel rooms for our 2026 Convention. Book early to get the best room options. Rooms start as low as $220/night! Block closes April 24, 2026.

Use this special booking link for our group rates: https://book.passkey.com/event/51137351/owner/27174/home

On-site childcare will once again be available and provided by our trusted partners at Call Emmy. Click here to register.

If you are on Facebook, join our Convention group page for regular updates and features!

SPONSORSHIPS also available! Click here for more info.

Questions? Please contact us at execdir@cwba.org.

Convention First-Timers Welcome Lunch 2026 (May 15, 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

First time attending Convention? Arrive at Noon before the first session which starts at 2 p.m. and join us to meet other first-timers for lunch on Friday, May 15th before Convention gets underway. Find a buddy (or a few!) and get to know other CWBA members.

We have reserved space in The Hythe's restaurants in both Revel Lounge and Margie's Haas located on the second level of the hotel. LUNCH COST IS ON YOUR OWN, and attendees will order from the Revel Lounge menu. Registration is only for a head count to make the reservation. This lunch registration is completely separate from the Convention registration.

Our lunch hosts will greet you and share some tips to enhance your Convention experience!

THANK YOU TO OUR WELCOME LUNCHEON SPONSOR

CWBA Foundation 20th Annual "Raising The Bar" Celebration (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Each year, the Colorado Women's Bar Association Foundation (CWBAF) honors women lawyers who have made a difference in our communities and have "raised the bar" for all of us. The 2026 Annual Raising the Bar Celebration will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Denver Art Museum. Please save the date and plan to join us at this popular annual event to help us continue our important work.

For more information, please visit

http://cwbafoundation.org/Raising-the-Bar

The CWBA Foundation was founded in 1988 to implement the charitable and educational work of the CWBA, to promote the advancement of women in the law, and to protect and promote the welfare of all women.