About the Governor
Bill Ritter, Jr. was elected as Colorado's 41st governor in 2006 -- the first Colorado-born governor in more than 35 years. Gov. Ritter is leading Colorado forward by bringing people together to tackle some of our state's biggest challenges. He has:
Gov. Ritter also is leading Colorado forward by modernizing our transportation system, protecting Colorado's natural treasures and improving the way state government does business.
The sixth of 12 children, Gov. Ritter was raised on a small farm in Arapahoe County. He was a member of the first graduating class of Gateway High School (1974), and he earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Colorado State University (1978) and his law degree from the University of Colorado (1981).
From 1987 to 1990, Gov. Ritter and his wife, First Lady Jeannie Ritter, operated a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia, Africa.
Gov. Ritter served as Denver's District Attorney from 1993 to January 2005. He earned a national reputation as one of the country's most effective and innovative prosecutors, and several of his programs continue to serve as state and national models.
The Governor and First Lady have four children: August, Abe, Sam and Tally.
Click here for highlights of the Governor's accomplishments on the New Energy Economy.
Click here for a personal profile of the Governor done by the Rocky Mountain News.