Career prosecutor sets sights on DA's job

A 32-year prosecutor and administrator in the district attorney's office, Larry Abrahamson, is seeking the top job on the Republican ticket.

The Eighth Judicial District of Colorado encompasses Larimer and Jackson counties. District Attorney Stu VanMeveren, also a Republican, is term limited after serving eight terms.

Abrahamson, 58, joined the DA's office in 1972. He earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming Law School and his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota. A native of South Dakota, Abrahamson was raised on a farm and attended a one-room school for eight years.

The candidate has held the job of first assistant in the DA's office since 2002, taking on more administrative duties. In that role, he also serves as a special prosecutor when needed in neighboring jurisdictions.

In his candidate announcement, Abrahamson listed the following challenges for the district attorney's office.

• The spreading use of methamphetamines.
• Identity theft.
• The need for new and effective ways of addressing juvenile crime while strugglng with dwindling financial resources.
• The need for new ways to work with crime victims.
• The challenge of curbing domestic violence.

Abrahamson said he wants to continue the current policies but added that the office cannot become stagnant. "The challenges of these changing times will require the constant re-evaluation of policies and procedures," he said.