Pursuant to her authority as acting Governor under the Colorado Constitution, Article IV, § 13, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera appointed Laura E. H. Harvell to the 7th Judicial District Court. Harvell's appointment is occasioned by the retirement of the Honorable Mary E. Deganhart, and is effective January 1, 2026. 

Harvell is a Montrose County Court Judge in the 7th Judicial District, a position she has held since 2022. Her docket consists of criminal and civil matters.

Previously, Harvell was the owner at the Law Office of Laura Harvell, P.C., which included a contract with the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel and the Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel (2018 - 2022); Associate Attorney with the Law Office of Jennifer E. Longtin, P.C. (2016-2018); and an Attorney with the Office of the Municipal Public Defender (2014-2016). 

Harvell earned her B.A. from the College of Charleston in 2007 and her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2014.

Colorado’s 7^th Judicial District includes Gunnison, Hinsdale, Delta, Montrose, San Miguel, and Ouray counties.