Picking a Cabinet is the first order of business for any new governor, and perhaps the most important. Bill Ritter has now completed the task, and is earning plaudits for the talent and expertise he’s brought to state government.
Gov. Ritter topped off his nominations last weekend with Russell George, a Western Slope Republican who knows his way around the Capitol and the state.
George, a former speaker of the state House, will head the Colorado Department of Transportation. A Harvard-trained lawyer from Rifle, George ran Natural Resources in the final Cabinet of Gov. Bill Owens.
In general, Ritter’s picks appear to be well-qualified to run an effective and efficient state government. The governor seems to know he’ll need plenty of help. He is the first chief executive since John Love in 1963 to arrive at the governor’s office without serving first in the legislature.
The Ritter Cabinet is full of individuals who have been leaders in their respective fields – among them former Denver fire chief Rich Gonzales, former Denver police chief Ari Zavaras, Fort Collins Mayor Susan Kirkpatrick, Judge Peter Weir and Broomfield revenue manager Roxanne Huber.
There are also former Denver city auditor Don Mares, state board of education member Rico Munn, senior government health consultant Joan Henneberry, former U.S. Rep. David Skaggs, Broomfield human services chief Karen Legault Beye, environmental executive James Martin, Denver Water commissioner Harris Sherman and Prowers County commissioner John Stulp.
Former state Sen. Norma Anderson, one of three people who oversaw Ritter’s transition team, says, “He needs that experience in his Cabinet since he doesn’t have experience in state government and neither do many people” on his personal staff.
Ritter has been criticized for making so many appointments from the Front Range. There are benefits in geographical diversity, to be sure, but we’re not convinced that an official’s hometown has the best bearing on good management and policy development. Still, Ritter will make thousands of appointments to state boards, commissions and judgeships, and we trust he will follow his promise to represent all corners of the state.
Ritter made an impressive appointment Tuesday, nominating Ron Binz to chair the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Binz is a national regulatory policy expert who served as Colorado’s first utility consumer advocate. He was characterized as a “great voice for consumers” by former state Sen. Dan Grossman.
The Ritter Cabinet is mixed by gender and ethnic background and includes three Republicans. Another GOP figure, Marcie Morrison, was picked to serve as state insurance commissioner.
These appointments will all go through the state Senate for confirmation, and we trust the lawmakers will provide close review as they complete the process.
