Press Release - Gov. Ritter Bids Farewell to Mining Director
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
CONTACTS:
Theo Stein, 720.448.5567, theo.stein@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER BIDS FAREWELL TO HEAD OF STATE MINING AGENCY
Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated Ron Cattany, director of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, on his acceptance as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Denver.
Cattany, who has spent 35 years in state government, will begin a four-year program at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., in August. His last day of state service will be July 31.
"Ron's exemplary career with the state of Colorado epitomizes the ideal of public service," Gov. Ritter said. "It's not at all surprising that Ron has chosen a new way to give back to the community. We wish him the best and look forward to his return as he pursues his new vocation."
Cattany 's first job with the state of Colorado was as a consultant to then-Gov. Richard Lamm during the Arab oil embargo of 1974, where he prepared Colorado's first energy conservation and renewable energy plan. He stayed with Lamm as the director policy and planning for the new the Colorado Office of Energy Conservation.
Through the years, Cattany served as an assistant director for the Department of Natural Resources from 1981 to 1991, as deputy director of DNR from 1991 to 2002. During this period, he was also a principle negotiator for the state of Colorado on some of the biggest environmental cleanup cases in Colorado history.
"Ron is one of Colorado's greatest champions for our land, water and natural resources," said U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who was DNR director from 1990 to 1994. "Ron and I worked together at the Department of Natural Resources, where I witnessed first-hand his passion for public service and his commitment to doing right by future generations. I salute him for the work he has done on behalf of the people of Colorado and for the incredible legacy he has built, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
Since 2002, Cattany has served as the director of DRMS and unofficially as DNR's resident historian.
"Ron has been DNR's `Renaissance man' -- he has done it all," said DNR Executive Director Harris Sherman. "We are losing a big part of our history. He will be greatly missed."
Cattany's 35-year career spanned the terms of four governors: Lamm, Roy Romer, Bill Owens and Ritter.
"Ron Cattany's commitment to natural resources, his tremendous depth of knowledge and his dedicated service to both Democratic and Republican administrations truly make his service to the state of Colorado stand out," said Department of Transportation Executive Director Russell George, who ran DNR under Gov. Owens. "I wish him the very best in his new vocation and know Denver's Roman Catholic community will benefit tremendously from his ministry."