Senate OKs Ritter's Cabinet picks

April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, January 12, 2007

The Colorado Senate today unanimously confirmed Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter’s Cabinet appointments, with both Democrats and Republicans praising his picks to lead major state agencies.

"I think it’s a testimonial to all of the candidates that both sides of aisle came up in support of all the appointments," said Senate Joan Fitz-Gerald, D- Coal Creek Canyon.

The Senate approved the appointments of six of Ritter’s Cabinet members for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.

Ritter tapped well-known Democrats largely from the metro Denver area to head state agencies. Some GOP lawmakers expressed concerns that they would have liked to see Ritter pick the best and brightest from across the state.

"The governor has done a good job with his nominees, but I wish they were more broad based," said Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch.

Those confirmed Friday are:

• Former Prowers County Commissioner John R.Stulp, Department of Agriculture.
  
  
• Former Denver Auditor Don Mares, Department of Labor and Employment.
  
  
• Former U.S. Rep. David Skaggs, Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
  
  
• Karen Legault, Human Services Department.
  
  
• Jefferson County District Judge Pete Weir, Public Safety Department.
  
  
• Former Denver Police Chief Ari Zavaras, Department of Corrections.

Ritter has made more than a dozen appointments, with a handful of Cabinet appointments awaiting Senate confirmation. He has appointed six from Denver, two from Boulder, one from Golden, one from East Lake, one from Lamar and one from Conifer. The Colorado Department of Transportation remains one key Cabinet position unfilled.