Ritter fills cabinet Colorado, Governors

Fmr. Colorado Governor Lamm says it best (or worst):

"Appointing people is like eating mushrooms out of your backyard," Lamm said. "You really don't know how it turns out until you've done it."

I'm still not quite sure how that works out. But I think I understand where he is going with it.

Bill Ritter is assuming command in Colorado by appoint people to fill the highest cabinet positions. As the Rocky Mountain News lays it out:

Bill Ritter, who will become the first Colorado governor in more than 30 years without any legislative experience, tapped three former state department heads when filling his Cabinet. In addition, he named three appointees who served in Denver's city government, including two former mayoral candidates.

Veteran politicos say it's good Ritter's Cabinet will be experienced because the governor-elect's only political experience comes from serving as Denver's district attorney.

Experience does matter. But it's not just any experience - sometimes it should have direct relevance to the issues at hand. Ritter campaigned hard on renewable energy for Colorado and I'm glad he went with an old hand to oversee the forthcoming development:

Among Lamm's appointments was attorney Harris Sherman to run the Department of Natural Resources. Sherman was just 33.

Sherman is 64 now and has been selected by Ritter to oversee the same department.

"Harris is a close personal friend, so I'm not very objective, but it's a brilliant appointment," Lamm said.

"You have to bring in new blood, but in this area, with natural gas booming, talk of oil shale development and water problems and everything moving so fast, Harris is the best person to hit the ground running."

I think with the Democratically controlled legislature and now controlling the Governors mansion, we might just see tons of progress coming out of Colorado. I've been talking with many people in the area and they are pretty much convinced everything is on the rise. I took the light-rail on New Year's, enjoyed the bustling downtown (got snowed on HEAVILY days before) and was generally really impressed with Colorado. The older I get, the more I enjoy it. The place has nowhere to go but up.

Let's get the Convention there and keep this momentum rolling.

Landon Mascareñaz | January 8, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Ritter fills cabinet Colorado, Governors

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