WHEATLAND – Long-time magistrate for Platte County, Scott W. Cole, will be retiring at the end of the month. In the nearly 34 years he has been in the position now known as circuit court judge for the eighth judicial district there have been significant shifts in how the judicial system is structured.
Judge Nathaniel S. Hibben, one of the judges taking over the circuit court caseloads, said it is interesting to note Cole represents the last of a kind in many ways and has seen some major changes in the judiciary system in the state. He is the last lay magistrate in the state. Though he has a criminal justice degree and has had further judicial training, he is the last to sit as a judge in Wyoming’s judicial system without having a law degree. There are only three other magistrates serving in the state, though they all have law degrees.
“It’s worthwhile to celebrate [Scott Cole]. Everybody who knows him holds him in the highest esteem,” Hibben said from the perspective of the judiciary.
As Cole was growing up, he frequently spent time at his grandparents’ home (Jack and Delpha Cole) in Wheatland. It was here where Cole experienced rural life, early morning visits with ranchers and farmers, and spent as much time as he could with a fishing pole in his hand. Those experiences as well as the training by his Air Force father helped shape Cole’s view of the world which included common sense, compassion, and a need to do what is right – even if it is uncommon.
Cole has always approached his time on the bench knowing there are rules that are to be followed and had a unique style of administering justice. He worked to understand the individuals before him, as well as ensure those individuals thoroughly understand why they are in court, and the consequences and procedures they were facing. In his judgments he also employed compassion, accountability, common sense, and logic to utilize the tools available legally to him as a judge. Anyone in his courtroom also often heard him take the time to say a few words to encourage the individuals in constructively making better choices in their lives so they wouldn’t be appearing before him in court again.
In his mind, every person is unique with unique challenges, and he honestly wanted to do his best to not only make the right judgement utilizing the tools and rules he had to guide him, but to also make a difference in that individual’s life. He also believes no two judges are the same, and Cole was able to use the luxury of time to explain things. “It’s important to people,” he said.
“I’ve had parents tell me – thank you for reinforcing what we’ve been trying to get through to our child…I’ve also had people years down the line stop me to tell me how they made changes in their lives because of what I said to them from the bench… in my judgments I stop every three or four sentences and ask, ‘do you understand,’ and ask them several times if they have any questions. I’ve even had individuals thank me for being so detailed because it was the first court appearance they understood what was happening,” Cole said of his effort to leave no stone unturned, adding – of course, not everyone appreciated his advice.
“There are a lot of direct and indirect ways you can help people. You can have compassion and understanding while still addressing accountability, and not every case is a success story. Some people shove the envelope and have bad habits who do not appreciate authority,” he said.

Concentrating on the positive, one life that was changed went about like this.
A gentleman was in front of Judge Cole with a DUI, fine and jail time. “My parting words were to get straight, stay clean and enjoy every sunrise and every sunset,” Cole recalled. Around six years later, the man happened to run into Cole at a store and shared his gratitude. “He told me he never forgot my words: he got his wife and kids back, stayed sober, got a good job, and said every morning he can, he sets on the porch with his cup of coffee and enjoys the sunrise.”
Cole, having obtained a criminal justice degree from the University of Central Florida, moved with his wife Marian from Chuluota, Florida where he was the property manager of the Girl Scouts in a six-county area in central Florida. Marian said the move west was quite an adjustment for her since she had never been here, but she has grown to love the place – after she quit freezing. “It was a good change, and we raised our son here,” Marian said, expressing how wonderful the kindness and welcoming nature of the community soon made the place home.
“I’m proud to live in a state where there are more antelope than people,” Cole said. “…And I love this community.”
After moving to Wheatland in 1990, he was encouraged by his good friend Jerry Orr to run for justice of the peace, which at the time was an elected position. In 2004, Platte County circuit court was merged into 8th judicial district, and the position became “magistrate” in 2004.
Cole said he wore out a pair of shoes during his first campaign because he was determined to shake hands with as many of the constituents in his district as possible. “I went down every highway, dirt road, and two-ruts in the county,” he said. “I met a lot of people and saw a lot of Platte County.”
He won that election, and the next one, too, before the judicial system was restructured in the state to make the position an appointed one, as recommended by the Wyoming Supreme Court and approved by the county commissioners. The voters do have a say, though, in a four-year retention vote on the ballot.
Over the years Cole and his family had discussions of doing something different with his career, but looking back, he is glad he stayed, and leaving is bittersweet. There is no doubt, though, he is looking forward to his retirement. He has plans to follow his passion of fishing and working with wildlife (his particular favorites are snakes). He also expects to be busy managing the 1200 trees and shrubs he and his wife planted on their acreage outside of town, encouraging more wildlife habitat. He and Marian may even travel the state to see all the state parks.
He won’t miss the responsibility of being on call 24-7-365 and the middle-of-the-night visits for search warrants – though there has always been an appointed backup magistrate when needed. Local attorney Wendy Palen has served in that capacity for many years and will continue to be a part of the circuit court judge team. She and judges Nathaniel S. Hibben, who is based in Goshen County and Clark C. Allan, based in Converse County, have worked out a system to make sure Platte County’s circuit court docket is covered and individuals incarcerated outside of office hours will still receive a timely hearing of their case.
“It’s been a pleasure being around [the other circuit court judges]. I’ve learned a lot from them,” Cole said.
“If I had a do-over, would I choose this again – I’d have to think about it, but I can say I’m very satisfied with how my life turned out,” Cole said. “Being a public servant has been rewarding…It fit me. “
One thing Cole enjoyed most about being a public servant, is people stopping in the store or community and asking questions about the court system. “I try my best to educate them, and they [often] say, ‘I didn’t know that.’” Cole said. “I tell people, the courtroom is open to the public. I encourage everyone to take the time to sit in on a few cases and learn about the system.”
In a farewell gathering on his last day, Sept. 27, the public is invited to an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.at the Platte County Courthouse in the circuit court room, 800 9th street (basement level).
“This will be a big thank you to him for his [nearly 34 years] of service to the people of Wyoming and Platte County. He’s been wonderful to work with and will sure be missed,” Hibben said.
“On behalf of the Wyoming Judicial Branch, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to Magistrate Scott Cole for his dedicated service to Platte County. He has been a valued member of our judiciary, known for his fairness, compassion, and commitment to the people he served,” Chief Justice Kate Fox said. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Magistrate Cole on his retirement and wish him happiness and fulfillment in this new chapter.”