Gateway High School Alumni
Aurora, Colorado (CO)
Bill Ritter
41st Governor of Colorado[8]
What is Bill Ritter known for?
Bill Ritter, a proud alum of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado, has led a noteworthy life full of public service and dedication. Born August William Ritter Jr. on September 6, 1956, in Denver, Colorado, he has always been committed to his home state. Ritter embarked on a path of dedicated service, starting his career in law before eventually finding himself in the political arena.
After attending Colorado State University and later the University of Colorado, Boulder, Ritter went on to serve as the District Attorney of Denver from June 1993 to January 2005. During his time as DA, Ritter implemented innovative solutions like one of the nation's first drug courts and took an aggressive stance against white-collar crime in the Denver metropolitan area. He also made significant contributions to the prosecution of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and crimes targeting senior citizens.
Beyond his legal career, Ritter's dedication to public service was evident when he served as the 41st Governor of Colorado from 2007 to 2011. This position was particularly notable as Ritter was the first Colorado-born person to be elected as Governor of Colorado since 1975, and the first Democratic officeholder in 50 years to serve with a Democratic majority in the Colorado General Assembly. Although he chose not to run for a second term due to family reasons, he continued his service to Colorado by endorsing John Hickenlooper, a fellow Democrat who succeeded him.
Ritter's commitment to serving others extends beyond the legal and political spheres, as evidenced by his charity work. He served on the Denver Foundation's Human Services Committee, the Mile High United Way Board, and the Denver Public Schools' Commission on Secondary School Reform. In 1987, Ritter and his wife Jeannie moved to Zambia as missionaries for the Catholic Church, opening a food distribution and education center. This experience was so impactful that it later influenced Governor Roy Romer's decision to appoint Ritter to the District Attorney's office.
Link to Bill Ritter's governorship