Deputy District Attorney I

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment; Laporte (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits

Wellness clinic and preventive care

Work-from-home option after probation

Paid holidays, sick & vacation leave

Job summary

The Larimer County District Attorney's Office seeks a Deputy District Attorney I who is licensed in Colorado, or who took the Colorado July Bar exam. Our primary office is in Fort Collins, with a second office in Loveland; a welcoming community and strong benefits are offered.

Starting salary for 2026 is $88,406, with a typical Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule and some after-hours work. The office follows a blind hiring process during initial screening.

Qualifications

• JD required or equivalent; law degree from an accredited school.
• Current Colorado license to practice law, or eligibility within two months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Representing the DA's office in criminal proceedings, including scheduling of cases, plea negotiations, probation revocation hearings, motions, and sentencing.
• Receiving and reviewing summons or tickets filed by arresting officers.
• Reviewing and examining the evidence, including witness statements and physical evidence.
• Determining whether a crime has been committed.
• Assessing the nature of the crime.
• Evaluating whether the evidence justifies prosecution.

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Strong oral & written communication

Courtroom proceedings

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

Overview

The District Attorney's Office seeks an applicant who is already licensed in Colorado, or who took the Colorado July Bar exam, for our Deputy District Attorney I vacancy.

Our primary office is in Fort Collins, with our second office in Loveland. In our district, we have the Cache La Poudre and Big Thompson rivers, Horsetooth Reservoir, and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Staff are encouraged to take 2 long lunches a week to exercise and enjoy our community, such as running on one of our many local trails, biking (Fort Collins is a Platinum-rated bicycle-friendly community with miles of dedicated bike lanes), or enjoying a yoga class in Old Town. Fort Collins is home to more than 20 craft breweries, Colorado State University, and family-friendly community events.

In addition to great benefits (medical, dental, vision), Larimer County provides a wellness clinic for staff to receive preventive health screenings and coaching, primary care services, and physical therapy. In addition to paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, staff may, after a probationary period, have the option to work from home.

The starting salary for a DDA I in 2026 is $88,406. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some after-hours work required.

The District Attorney's Office follows a blind hiring process. During the initial screening, hiring managers will only see your application, with your name and other identifying personal information redacted. Resumes and cover letters will be reviewed later, so please ensure your application is fully completed.

Responsibilities

What you'll be doing:

• Representing the DA's office in criminal proceedings, including scheduling of cases, plea negotiations, probation revocation hearings, motions, and sentencing.
• Receiving and reviewing summons or tickets filed by arresting officers.
• Reviewing and examining the evidence, including witness statements and physical evidence.
• Determining whether a crime has been committed.
• Assessing the nature of the crime.
• Evaluating whether the evidence justifies prosecution.

To view the full job descriptions, visit https://www.larimer.gov/hr/careers/job-descriptions#/app/detail/Deputy_District_Attorney_I

What We're Looking For

• A dependable individual with consistent court attendance and punctuality.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and community members.
• In-depth knowledge of legal principles and practices, particularly in criminal law.
• A solid understanding of court procedures and rules of evidence.
• A proactive problem-solver capable of using independent judgment in legal matters.

Qualifications

All candidates will be screened for the following required minimum qualifications. Any candidate who does not meet all of the qualifications listed as required will be eliminated from the process.

• No experience is required.
• Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school required.
• Current license to practice law in Colorado, or obtain it within two (2) months of hire required.

Benefits

Here's what Larimer County offers for all Regular, Limited Term, and Appointed positions:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• FSA or HSA (depending on the medical plan)
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life/AD&D Insurance
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Retirement Plan 401(a) with employer match
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Want to dive into the details? Check out Larimer County's Benefits. https://www.larimer.org/hr/benefits .

Supplemental Information

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of required pre-employment checks or testing.

All application components must be submitted by 11:59 PM MT on the closing date listed.

Larimer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.