DENVER  -  Governor Bill Owens announced the appointment of three new members to the State Board of Parole: Kent A. "Bo" Cottrell of Aurora, Dr. Richard Martinez of Pueblo, and Rodney D. Gomez of Denver. Larry Schwarz, appointed by former Governor Romer, will serve at the pleasure of Governor Owens as chairman of the board.

"I am pleased that we were able to find such qualified individuals to serve on the Parole Board," said Owens. "Their experience and knowledge of the law enforcement industry is essential."

Rodney Gomez will serve as a representative of law enforcement effective April 1, for a term expiring July 1, 2001. He is a senior criminal investigator for the Denver District Attorney's Office. Gomez also served as a police officer for the Sheridan Police Department in 1982 and in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. That same year he completed peace officer certification at the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy. Gomez has his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Metropolitan State College.

Richard Martinez will serve as a former parole officer to fill a vacancy for a term expiring July 1, 1999. In 1993, he was elected Pueblo County Commissioner. He currently serves on the State of Colorado Juvenile Parole Board, where he has participated in more than 100 hearings and interviewed 1,000 juveniles. He is fluent in Spanish and serves as an interpreter for the Juvenile board. He also served as chairman of the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission from 1993 to 1998. Martinez received his doctorate from Southern California College of Optometry and his master's degree in public health from the University of Washington.

Bo Cottrell will serve as a citizen member and as vice-chairperson effe ctive March 1, with a term expiring July 1, 2001. He is currently owner and special events director for Make A Wish Foundation. Cottrell attended the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy and is also chairman of the Arapahoe County Republican Party.