Gov. Bill Ritter reached outside his own party Thursday to formally tap lone-wolf Republican lawmaker Don Marostica as his economic-development chief.
Marostica, a 61-year-old land developer and two-term state House member, replaces Don Elliman after the governor appointed Elliman as his chief operating officer.
Marostica enters the office at a time when state leaders face a reckoning: how to spur economic growth while they may have to eliminate business tax breaks to balance the budget. The Loveland Republican, who sat on the Joint Budget Committee, honed a maverick image in recent years by splitting from GOP ranks to support Democratic revenue-raising measures, including one that relaxed the limits on expanding the state budget.
Moments after a news conference with Ritter, Marostica showed he’s also willing to break from the pack of state business leaders, suggesting that some industry tax breaks or exemptions must shrink or disappear. Most business luminaries, stressing the job-generating value of such tax benefits, have stayed quiet on the issue.
“This is going to be one of the things we have to tackle,” Marostica said. And he cited an example: “The bull-semen tax seems kind of crazy.”
Before Marostica spoke, Ritter praised his mix of skills, crediting his experience in the private and public sectors.
Mike Feeley, a Lakewood Democrat and former Senate minority leader, gushed about the pick.
“It’s a perfect match,” Feeley said. “Don’s a great guy who thinks outside the box and has real-world experience.”
But Douglas Bruce, Colorado Springs Republican and author of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, said he believes Marostica — who has criticized TABOR — will do only “what Ritter wants” and that that will not benefit the economy.
Since 1995, Marostica has owned the real-estate development firm Loveland Commercial Inc. To avoid any conflicts of interest, Marostica said he would turn over control of Loveland Commercial to his partner while he runs state economic development. He will receive $146,040 in salary, the same compensation earned by other Cabinet members.
Tom Clark, head of the economic-development office for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, looks forward to working with Marostica.
“He’s a progressive thinker, and he understands business,” said Clark, who worked with the lawmaker to campaign for a measure easing TABOR restrictions.
Staff writer Lynn Bartels contributed to this report.
Miles Moffeit: 303-954-1415 or mmoffeit@denverpost.com
Don Marostica
Age: 61.
Birthplace: Sterling.
Education: Roosevelt High School in Johnstown; a BA from Colorado State University in 1970; master’s degree in 1975 from the University of Northern Colorado.
Occupation: Real-estate developer since 1977; currently a partner in Loveland Commercial LLC, developer of residential subdivisions in Loveland.
Public service: Elected to the state House in 2006 and 2008 for District 51; served on the Loveland City Council (2001-04) and 62 separate boards and commissions.
Party: Republican.
Residence: Loveland.
Sources: Denver Post archives; Rocky Mountain News; Don Marostica website.
