Judge Lyon Hazleton retires after 32 years

by Sally Jack
Contributing Writer
The Honorable Lyon Hazleton recently retired from the Bench after serving for over 32 years as San Juan County Justice Court Judge and 25 years in the Monticello City Justice Court.
Judge Hazleton began working for the County in 1989 as a diesel mechanic. He was appointed as San Juan County Justice Court Judge in 1994 when the Honorable Harold Muhlestein retired from the Bench.
In 1999 Judge Hazleton was also appointed to the Justice Court for Monticello City upon the retirement of the Honorable Rigby Wright. His Honor served in tandem for both Justice Courts until his retirement at the end of 2025.
For an interim period of a few years, Judge Hazleton also became the Magistrate of the Blanding City Justice Court, simultaneously serving as Judge for all three courts.
His Honor had an exceptional record of being in his office every day (excluding holidays and weekends) and people were always welcome to come in and talk to him and/or his clerks with questions, problems, or concerns.
A retirement party in his honor was held in December for family and friends.
A pro tem judge from Carbon County will take the Honorable Lyon Hazleton’s seat on the Bench until the position has been filled.
It is interesting to note that 130 years ago this month, Judge Hazleton’s great grandfather, Judge Joseph Franklin Barton, was serving as a probate judge for San Juan County.
Thank you, Judge Hazleton, for more than 35 years of service with San Juan County.