DENVER—Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday named Republican state Rep. Don Marostica to be his new director of the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Ritter said the Loveland businessman will help the state preserve jobs and find new businesses to move to Colorado.
Ritter appointed the previous director, Don Elliman, to be state government’s first chief operating officer to dole out federal stimulus funding.
“At this crucial time in Colorado’s history, getting our economy moving again is one of our highest priorities. Don will bring the right mix of skills, experience and expertise from both the public and private sectors to the job,” Ritter said at a news conference announcing the appointment.
Marostica said he will bring the skills he learned from his land development business to his new job.
“The most pressing issue facing all of us is to get through these difficult times. The best way to accomplish that is by creating more jobs and attracting more businesses and more trade to Colorado. Deal-making is deal-making, whether it’s in Japan or the United States,” Marostica said.
Reaction from his fellow Republicans was muted, after he clashed with his caucus over his support for lifting limits on the state budget.
House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, who will appoint Marostica’s successor on the Joint Budget Committee, thanked Marostica for his service and said “he will add a tremendous amount of real-world experience to that position.”
Marostica was the lone member of his party to back a measure signed by Ritter that repealed some of the limits on state spending.
Marostica refused to back down and said Republicans made a mistake when they claimed spending limits are working in Colorado and preventing the state from going into a steeper downturn.
He said the state is facing a $1 billion financial crunch in the next fiscal year and hard decisions will need to be made in the coming months, including a review of spending limits.
