 In January 2006, Philip Anschutz recommended Gorsuch's nomination to Colorado's U.S.Senator Wayne Allard and White House Counsel Harriet Miers.On May 10, 2006, Gorsuch was nominated by President George W. Bush to the seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacated by Judge David M. Ebel, who was taking senior status.