Satellite-TV magnate Charles Ergen’s net worth fell $3.2 billion, and he lost the title of richest person in Colorado to Philip Anchutz, who himself lost $2 billion last year, according to the Forbes 400 list released Wednesday.
Nationally, Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates retained the top spot on the annual ranking with $50 billion, down $7 billion. Warren Buffet remained in second place with $40 billion, down $10 billion.
It was only the fifth time since the magazine started publishing the ranking in 1982 that the collective net worth of those listed has dropped. In all, 314 of the 400 members lost wealth over the past year amid the biggest economic slump since the Great Depression.
Following Anschutz at No. 37 with $6 billion and Ergen at No. 49 with $4.9 billion were James Leprino of Leprino Foods and cable titan John Malone at No. 141 with $2.3 billion each. Other Coloradans on the list were Pat Stryker of Stryker Corp., No. 289, $1.35 billion, and investor Gary Magness, No. 392, $990 million.
