New guv goes for experience

Most Cabinet choices come from metro area

Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 8, 2007 at midnight

Text size

More Colorado Government

More stories »

Bill Ritter, who will become the first Colorado governor in more than 30 years without any legislative experience, tapped three former state department heads when filling his Cabinet. In addition, he named three appointees who served in Denver's city government, including two former mayoral candidates.

Veteran politicos say it's good Ritter's Cabinet will be experienced because the governor-elect's only political experience comes from serving as Denver's district attorney.

"It's good he went with experience because he's pretty naive in those treacherous state waters," said former Denver City Councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt. "He's like a tadpole."

Ritter, a 50-year-old Democrat from Denver, will be sworn into office Tuesday.

He still must fill three major Cabinet positions: Transportation; Revenue, which oversees the highly visible Motor Vehicle Division; and Local Government, which serves as a crucial link to rural Colorado.

In putting together a Cabinet, a governor has to consider a candidate's background, ethnicity and gender, geographic diversity and, of course, his or her own party's expectations. The Cabinet manages the state's various departments and agencies and oversees about 60,000 employees.

"The Democratic Party, when it gets into power, is a very demanding group of people," former Democratic Gov. Dick Lamm said with a laugh.

"Everyone wants their ticket punched."

The majority of the Cabinet members Ritter has selected live in the metro area, which worries some Coloradans.

"The final verdict is still out, but at this point it looks more like the Cabinet of the governor of Denver than the governor of Colorado," said Sen.-elect Josh Penry, a Republican state representative from Fruita.

But the appointments drew praise from Mike Beasley and Sean Tonner, two former gubernatorial appointees for Republican Gov. Bill Owens.

"You have to go with the people you trust," Tonner said.

"Ritter picked people with experience in Colorado and the federal government. I think his picks are pretty safe, and I think that's good since he doesn't come out of state government."

The appointment that has surprised most politicos is that of former Denver Fire Chief Rich Gonzales to head the Department of Personnel and Administration.

"I wonder who Ritter talked with about Gonzales," Barnes-Gelt said. "(Gonzales) is completely unpredictable."

But Beth McCann, who once was Gonzales' boss when she was the Denver manager of public safety, said she thought he was an excellent administrator.

In addition, some have wondered whether the appointment of former Denver City Auditor Don Mares as the new director of the Labor and Employment Department is a payback to the unions that helped Democrats win office.

But both Barnes-Gelt and Beasley said Mares, a former state lawmaker, was a smart choice.

Lamm said Ritter's Cabinet has much more experience than the one he assembled when he first took office in 1975.

"There was a cartoon that showed the Lamm Cabinet, and there were a bunch of highchairs around the conference table," he recalled.

Among Lamm's appointments was attorney Harris Sherman to run the Department of Natural Resources. Sherman was just 33.

Sherman is 64 now and has been selected by Ritter to oversee the same department.

"Harris is a close personal friend, so I'm not very objective, but it's a brilliant appointment," Lamm said.

"You have to bring in new blood, but in this area, with natural gas booming, talk of oil shale development and water problems and everything moving so fast, Harris is the best person to hit the ground running."

The current director of Natural Resources, Republican Russ George, of Rifle, had sought to be reappointed, and Penry said some Western Slope leaders are upset that George was not.

But there is widespread speculation that George will get another job in Ritter's administration.

"I'm greatly disappointed but not shocked that Russ wasn't kept on as director," said Republican Rick Enstrom, a Division of Wildlife commissioner.

"But a governor gets so few appointments it's natural he wants to bring in his own team."

Ritter's spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said he did not have the salaries of the new hires.

The current salary for most Cabinet director positions is $142,000. That means several appointees, particularly those who work for law firms, are taking a huge pay cut.

But that's more money than Ritter will make. The governor's pay is $90,000 annually.

Lamm said that Ritter will learn, just like every governor before him, that some appointees turn out great and others, well . . .

"Appointing people is like eating mushrooms out of your backyard," Lamm said. "You really don't know how it turns out until you've done it."

Ritter's picks

Democratic Gov.-elect Bill Ritter is putting together his staff:

CABINET

• Agriculture: John Stulp

Personal: 58, of Lamar, a Democrat

Background: Farmer; former Prowers County commissioner; former member of state wildlife commission

Of note: Leading proponent of building wind farms in wheat fields

What others say: "John is a strong supporter of rural Colorado. I think it's an outstanding appointment," said former Rep. Brad Young, R-Lamar.

The department: Works to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture industry, and protect consumers, the environment and natural resources.

• Corrections: Ari Zavaras

Personal: 62, of Denver

Of note: Oversaw Corrections Department for former Democratic Gov. Roy Romer, and Public Safety Department for the current governor, Republican Bill Owens. In both jobs, he racked up fans and foes.

Background: Director of operations for a group that focuses on reducing criminal recidivism; former manager of public safety for Denver; former Cabinet director; former Denver police chief

What others say: "He served Colorado well for many, many years," Owens said.

The department: Manages nearly two dozen state-run correctional facilities and has contracts for six privately run facilities around the state

• Health Care Policy and Financing: Joan Henneberry

Personal: 54, of Denver, a Democrat

Background: Senior vice president of government health services for Policy Studies Inc. of Denver; previously handled health policy for the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C.; Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment employee from 1984 to 1997

Of note: She's seen firsthand how other governors have dealt with the explosive costs of health care.

What others say: "Joan will play a key role in fulfilling a major component of the Colorado Promise: providing all Coloradans with access to some basic form of health care coverage by 2010," Ritter said.

The department: Administers the Medicaid program and insurance programs for children and indigents; it is one of the largest purchasers of health care in the state.

• Higher Education: David Skaggs

Personal: 63, of Boulder, a Democrat

Background: Former Colorado congressman and state representative; attorney with the firm Hogan & Hartson; founder and executive director of the Center for Democracy & Citizenship at the Council for Excellence in Government

Of note: Always kept his home in Boulder; moved back to Colorado last year from the Washington, D.C., area

What others say: "He could be making a lot of money lobbying in Washington," said former Gov. Dick Lamm.

The department: Oversees 28 public institutions of higher learning and two key loan programs

• Human Services: Karen Legault Beye

Personal: 61, of Conifer, a Democrat

Background: Director of health and human services for Broomfield since 2001; served in the 1990s as director of the former Department of Social Services under then-Gov. Roy Romer

Of note: Still lives on the ranch her father's family homesteaded in 1865

What others say: "She's very good, very customer-oriented, a real pro. But don't make this too glowing, she's a Democrat, damnit," said Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, who has known Beye for years from when Norton worked for the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

The department: Oversees all county departments of social/human services, the state's public mental health system, services for people with developmental disabilities, the juvenile corrections system and all state and veterans nursing homes.

• Labor and Employment: Don Mares

Personal: 49, of Denver, a Democrat

Background: Special counsel with Fleishman & Shapiro; former Denver auditor; former state lawmaker

Of note: He and Zavaras both unsuccessfully ran for Denver mayor in 2003; Mares made it to the runoff. Some say Mares' appointment is payback to labor for helping Democrats win big in November.

What others say: "I think Ritter will be well served by Don Mares, who has a proven record as a committed public servant, and also knows the legislature," said former Denver City Councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt.

The department: Provides key economic and workforce data to current and prospective employers; assists injured or unemployed workers and ensures fair labor practices

• Local Affairs: No appointment yet

• Military Affairs: Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney will stay on until he retires in March

• Natural Resources: Harris Sherman

Personal: 64, of Denver, a Democrat

Background: Senior partner with Arnold & Porter, whose clients have ranged from Indian tribes to the ski industry; Denver Water Board commissioner; served as chairman of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission and Denver Regional Air Quality Council

Of note: In 1975, at the age of 33, became director of the same department for Gov. Dick Lamm.

What others say: "He's more than qualified, but on the Western Slope there are concerns because he is on the Denver Water Board, and so at his confirmation I'm going to be asking a lot of questions," said Sen.-elect Josh Penry, R-Fruita.

The department: Develops, protects and enhances Colorado's natural resources; key divisions, boards and commissions include the Division of Wildlife, State Parks, State Land Board and Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

• Personnel and Administration: Rich Gonzales

Personal: 55, of Denver, a Democrat

Background: Vice president of various divisions of the Mile High United Way; former Denver fire chief

Of note: Master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver.

What others say: "He's very energetic and enthusiastic. He's a very forward- looking person. He was always looking for new ways to be more efficient," said Beth McCann, who served as Denver's manager of public safety.

The department: Manages Colorado's state employees, all state facilities and real estate

• Public Health and Environment: Jim Martin

Personal: 55, of Boulder, a Democrat

Background: Served as director of Western Resource Advocates since 2004; previously oversaw Natural Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado School of Law and was senior attorney and director of the energy program for Environmental Defense.

Of note: Appointed by Owens to serve on the Colorado Air Quality Commission

What others say: "He's the kind of guy who's driven by facts and science, and he operates at a pretty high level intellectually, which is good," said Greg Schnacke, executive vice president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association.

The department: Is responsible for managing a multitude of public health and environmental programs.

• Public Safety: Peter Weir

Personal: 54, of Golden, a Republican

Background: Appointed Jefferson County District Court judge in 2004; previously served as director of the Colorado District Attorney's Council and as a prosecutor

Of note: He and Ritter had a close working relationship when Weir headed the DAs' council.

What others say: "He's smart, fair and his experience makes him a perfect leader," said Mike Beasley, former Owens appointee.

The department: Oversees several operations, including the State Patrol, Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Division of Criminal Justice.

• Regulatory Agencies: Rico Munn

Personal: 35, of Denver, a Democrat

Background: Partner with Baker and Hostetler law firm; adjunct professor of law at the University of Denver

Of note: Elected member of the state Board of Education

What others say: "This guy's a superstar. He is as solid as they come. And he's a homegrown talent; he grew up in Colorado Springs," said former Senate Minority Leader Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. The two once practiced at the same firm.

The department: Regulates businesses and individuals, including banks, utilities, insurance companies, doctors, electricians and accountants.

• Revenue: No appointment yet

• Transportation: No appointment yet

OTHER APPOINTMENTS

• Chief of staff: Jim Carpenter

Background: Chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar and Romer; director of public affairs for National Jewish Medical Center and Research Center

• Deputy chief of staff for community outreach and administration: Stephanie Villafuerte

Background: Took a leave as chief deputy district attorney in Denver last year to work on Ritter's campaign; former federal prosecutor

• Deputy chief of staff for policy and initiatives: Ken Weil

Background: Co-chair of Ritter for Governor campaign; founder and president of Rose Biomedical Research and Rose Biomedical Development Corporation; 19 years experience in health care; policy adviser to former Gov. Dick Lamm

• Insurance commissioner: Marcy Morrison

Background: Mayor of Manitou Springs; four-term Republican state representative ending in 2000; former El Paso County commissioner

• Budget director: Todd Saliman

Background: Launched his own consulting firm after leaving the legislature in 2002; served in the House for eight years, where the Boulder Democrat served on the Joint Budget Committee

• Legal counsel: Trey Rogers

Background: Partner with Rothgerber Johnson and Lyons; eight years experience as a political and nonprofit fundraiser and fundraising consultant in Colorado, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.

• Legislative liaison: Mary Kay Hogan

Background: Lobbied the legislature since 1999; prior to forming the firm of Aponte Hogan and Busam with fellow lobbyist Ruth Aponte, she served as a staff attorney with the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Legal Services.

• Energy management/conservation: Tom Plant

Background: Director of the Center for ReSource Conservation; four-term Democratic state representative, who leaves office this week; former chairman of the Joint Budget Committee

• Communications director: Evan Dreyer

Background: Press secretary for Ritter's gubernatorial campaign; worked at the Denver Post from 1998 to 2003, until he left and formed his own company

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News