Colorado Leadership Over Four Decades

The state’s five governors who have served since 1974 gathered in 2017 for a Denver Post forum. Roy Romer, the oldest at 92, and Dick Lamm (85) are retired, but still express their views. The only Republican in the 47-year span is Bill Owens (70). Bill Ritter (64) is the youngest member of the group and is the only one born in Colorado (Aurora). Owens and Ritter recently wrote an opinion column in the Denver Post. Finally featured is the most recent ex-governor and current U.S. Senator, John Hickenlooper (69).

The picture captures a sense of the five personalities with Hickenlooper talking, Ritter and Owens looking reflective, Romer ready to jump in, and Lamm known as gloomy is still looking unhappy.

Former Colorado governors (L to R) Richard “Dick” Lamm,
Roy Romer, Bill Owens, Bill Ritter and John Hickenlooper at a
Denver Post forum, May 25, 2017 | Aaron Ontiveroz/Denver Post