Bill Ritter, Jr. was elected as Colorado's 41^st governor in 2006 - the first Colorado-born governor in more than 35 years.

Gov. Ritter has quickly established Colorado as a national leader in renewable energy by creating a New Energy Economy and doubling the state's renewable energy portfolio.

He is reforming natural resource issues, bringing

greater balance, requiring responsible development and ensuring the protection of our air, land, water, wildlife and communities.

Gov. Ritter also is working toward creating a 21^st Century transportation system and is leading efforts on statewide health-care, economic-development and education reform, both at the K-12 and higher-ed levels, through his P-20 Education Council and Jobs Cabinet.

In addition, Gov. Ritter is changing the fundamental way state government operates. He is creating stronger partnerships with employees and finding efficiencies that will result in more effective services for the taxpaying public and a more accountable government.

 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).

His first job out of law school was as a deputy district attorney in Denver. In 1987, Gov. Ritter and his wife, First Lady Jeannie Ritter, left Denver to run a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia, Africa. They returned home in 1990, and three years later Ritter was appointed as Denver's top prosecutor, a position he held until 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.