Hail to the Chief > The first woman to be chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, Mary Mullarkey, died last week at age 77. She also served for 12 years at the top of the judicial branch, longer than any other person. Those who worked with her told Colorado Politics that "the Chief," as she was known, was a humble, quiet proponent of diversity and inclusion. ⢠"When I clerked for her, we could debate the hard stuff. We would debate the death penalty and indigenous land rights and affirmative action. She would just, with calm agility, make the arguments for both sides," said Annie T. Kao, a former clerk.