Although Republican Gov. Bill Owens steps down in January, his influence will be felt for years through the more than 5,000 appointments he has made during his eight-year tenure.
The governor’s appointments to boards and commissions can influence policy such as water quality and energy prices.
“It’s one of the most important things, and least understood things, that a governor does,” said Steve Welchert, who lobbied for former Democratic Gov. Dick Lamm.
“You can put people in place who have a similar philosophy, similar mind-set to what you have when it comes to policymaking. It helps your agenda,” Welchert said.
There are about 300 boards and commissions with about 3,000 appointees – about 600 requiring Senate confirmation. Most of those appointees serve three- or four-year terms.
Owens has also appointed 161 of the state’s 275 state-court judges, which may be a more lasting legacy.
While judges must stand for retention by voters, they are rarely dismissed and often serve until retirement or death.
Not all of Owens’ appointments have been well-received.
Consumer advocates, such as the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, say the Public Utilities Commission has taken a free-market tact when more regulation was needed.
The commission regulates $7.5 billion in annual utility revenues in Colorado and decides things such as how much Xcel Energy can charge Coloradans for the natural gas they use to heat their homes.
The commissioners’ “philosophies are to let the market drive the economy. You can do that if you have competition. … When you own 80 percent of the market, there is no competition,” said Rex Wilmouth, CoPIRG director.
PUC chairman Gregory Sopkin declined to be interviewed for this article.
Dan Hopkins, Owens’ spokesman, said in an e-mail that the governor’s appointees “are highly qualified, competent individuals who are serving the consumers well.”
Xcel spokeswoman Ethnie Groves said: “The Public Utilities Commission has been fair and has done a good job and served the state well.”
Another gubernatorial- appointed board that has drawn fire is the State Land Board, which is charged with preserving and providing income from state land.
“Right now, there is far too much emphasis on developing publicly held state lands as opposed to looking at the best long-term strategy in managing these lands,” said Pam Kiely of Environment Colorado.
Kiely cited the board’s push to develop a part of the former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range, a 40-square-mile parcel about 20 miles southeast of Denver.
“In my experience,” Britt Weygandt, Land Board director, said in response, “the board has sought to balance its conservation opportunities with its other income opportunities.”
On the Lowry site, she said, the board plans to conserve 23,000 acres and develop 3,000 acres.
Patrick Teegarden, a former Land Board commissioner booted by Owens, said neither the board nor the staff is qualified to make a decision on a development the size of Stapleton.
Weygandt said the board relies on the groups bidding to develop and conserve the land. Proposals are being reviewed by a team of experts.
Gov.-elect Bill Ritter will have about 800 appointments to make his first year.
Evan Dreyer, the governor- elect’s spokesman, would only say Ritter will ensure that “as many interests as possible” are represented on the panels.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-954-1633 or cfrates@ denverpost.com.
