Father James Golka succeeds Bishop Michael Sheridan, 76, who has headed the diocese since January 2003. Under church law, bishops must submit their resignation to the pope upon turning 75.

Sheridan was named Coadjutor Bishop of Colorado Springs, Colorado, on December 4, 2001, later succeeding Richard Hanifen as the second Bishop of Colorado Springs upon the latter's resignation on January 30, 2003.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Sheridan sits on the Committee on Education. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, of the Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services, of the International Dominican Foundation, and of the Kenrick Seminary Board of Trustees.

He retired on April 30, 2021.