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Retired Attorney
Ken Matthews is a native Oklahoman who first came to Colorado in 1974, following graduation from the University of Oklahoma.
He served as a US Army officer for 3 years and returned to OU, where he received his law degree.
Ken has practiced law in Norman, Oklahoma (oil and gas), Colorado Springs (general civil litigation), and Denver where he had a Family Law Practice in partnership with his wife Leslie. Ken retired from the practice of law after 36 years in May, 2015.
Ken was a rugby player, coach, referee, and administrator for 35 years; playing while in college and law school, the US Army, and with both the Colorado Springs Grizzlies and the Denver Barbarians rugby clubs. He coached Denver East High School rugby club for 8 years during which East was State Champion on multiple occasions.
Ken and Leslie have owned property in Salida since 2006, were part-time residents for some years, and became full-time residents following retirement. Believing retirement is an opportunity to give to the community, Ken serves on the Board of Directors of Chaffee Housing Trust and Full Circle Restorative Justice.
Scott has been a resident of Salida for 20 years, moving from his native Cincinnati to be a guide on the Arkansas River. For a number of years, Scott combined seasonal work (Monarch Mountain, river guiding, landscaping) to make ends meet.
Scott grew up in a family who preached that their children must learn from mistakes. This ethic was instilled in him. His desire to work with children led to a 10-year career with Salida’s Boys & Girls Club. In 2018, Scott opened the Fun Street Family Arcade on F Street in Salida. F Street Family Arcade was intended to and has become Salida’s “teen club”, providing a safe, wholesome, supervised place for Salida’s youth to congregate, socialize, and recreate.
It was a natural progression for Scott to take his caring for children and teens to the Full Circle Restorative Board of Directors, also in 2018. He had seen some kids have difficulties in life after becoming involved in the criminal justice system and wanted to support Restorative Practices as an alternative. Scott serves as the Treasurer of the Board.
Scott continues to enjoy all outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, snowboarding, and being on the Arkansas River.
Lesley Fulton hails originally from Mississippi, but she’s called Colorado home since she finished her college studies in 2012. She holds a bachelor’s degree is social and clinical psychology, and she has over 9 years of marketing and social science research experience. Lesley lives in Salida and works as a project director for a market research consultancy.
Lesley began volunteering with FCRJ in the summer of 2019, and she completed facilitator training the following fall. In the spring of 2020, she joined FCRJ’s board of directors. Lesley has a strong interest in restorative practices, and she’s passionate about playing a part in FCRJ’s work to improve the outcomes of those who might otherwise find themselves stuck in or deal with lifelong collateral consequences of the traditional criminal justice system. She believes that restorative practices can have a lasting positive impact on communities and that FCRJ plays a major part in that for Chaffee County.
When she isn’t working, Lesley enjoys trail running, backpacking and climbing the many high peaks that Colorado has to offer. She’s a baker, art collector, music enthusiast and dog mom. Lesley loves her Salida community, and she’s looking forward to spending many more years here.
Public Defender
I’m a lawyer who has worked as Public Defender for 19 years. I’ve dedicated my life’s work to defending the rights of the poor and low-income members of our community; working to safeguard that that they be treated equally, with dignity, and respect within the criminal justice system. I’m also a wife and mother of two daughters. I love spending weekends hiking with my dog, watching my daughter’s soccer games, and skiing and rafting with family and friends.
Judy was born in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. She moved to Salida a few years ago in October.. She has volunteered for Sunshine Shelter and AADA along with her current volunteering for Full Circle Restorative Justice. .
She has three children – all of whom are very accomplished in their chosen fields. Her son Bob, has a Phd and is a professor at Clemson University. Judy’s other son, Greg, is a lawyer in Salida and her daughter is a Phd professor in Hong Kong.
Judy received her AB Degree at the University of North Carolina and her JD Degree at William and Mary University/Marshall Wythe School of Law.
Before she went to law school, she was a junior high teacher in San Diego, California. She also worked in a personal business she and her husband created. After her time in law school she practiced law in Virginia Beach, was a special judge for mental commitment hearings and a lawyer mediator.
Wherever Judy has lived, she has contributed greatly to her community. She has volunteered in Salida ever since she has moved here. In Virginia Beach she served on the planning commission and was Vice Chair for 7 year. She also served on the board of the SPCA for 17 years, 3 of which she was president and for another year was secretary. Judy served on the founding Board of VA. Beach Free Health Clinic and also was a Crisis Hotline volunteer. Judy was also a part time photography model in Virginia Beach.
Abby has been a certified therapy dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national organization, for 4 years. She’s a 7 year old border collie and also competes in agility competitions in Colorado.
Her therapy work includes visiting nursing homes, schools, and Restorative Justice Circles. She loves people and seems to have a sixth sense in determining who is most in need of unconditional love and attention.
