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Judge Wiley Y. Daniel was the first Black judge appointed to the federal bench in Colorado nearly 30 years ago. He paved the way for the more diverse state judiciary that Colorado enjoys today. He died unexpectedly in May of 2019 at the age of 72.
His colleagues noted that just hours before his death, he’d been on a conference call, meeting and strategizing to the very end. A testament to his longstanding commitment to mentoring and serving the Colorado legal community and the community overall.
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Now, all who stroll the halls of the Alfred A. Arraj Federal Courthouse in downtown Denver will know of Judge Daniel and his mark on Colorado history. A portrait of the judge was recently unveiled at a private ceremony at the courthouse. Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with Attorney General Phil Weiser and with one of Judge Daniel's daughters, Jennifer Daniel Collins.
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