HispanicBusiness

Chief District Judge Dennis Maes was honored last week by the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association with a lifetime achievement award.

According to a press release from the association, Maes has made significant contributions to the Hispanic community.

"Through- out his career, Judge Maes has served the Latino community," the release said. "Even as a young teacher, Judge Maes was teaching in a predominantly Latino community in Southern Colorado. He later served this same community through his work with Pueblo Legal Services and as a public defender."

The release noted that prior to his legal career, Maes worked as a teacher for the Huerfano School District in Walsenburg.

The association made particular notice of Maes' dedication to children, talking about his frequent trips to Chihuahua, Mexico, to deliver clothes and gifts to an orphanage and his work on the truancy program in the 10th Judicial District.

"Judge Maes is the muscle and heart behind the program, taking a personal interest in the children who have truancy cases before him," the release said.

"He is known for going to students' homes to rouse them from bed and confirming they make it to school, and all the students in the program have a direct number to his chambers.

"Unequivocally, Judge Maes loves kids and has a true heart for them."