Former Gov. Ritter not vying for Colorado State University chancellor job ( Denver Post )

Colorado State University has a list of five to seven candidates for its chancellor job ? and former Gov. Bill Ritter said Thursday he is not among them.

Speculation has grown in recent days about Ritter's interest in replacing Joe Blake, who stepped down from the chancellor position at the end of last year.

"I have had discussions with a variety of people about the CSU chancellor's position," said Ritter, who started the Center for the New Energy Economy at CSU after leaving the governor's office in January 2011. "Many of those discussions involved people encouraging me to apply for the post. After a great deal of reflection, I made a decision not to apply. I remain fully committed to my work here at CSU directing the efforts of the Center for the New Energy Economy."

Ritter's announcement came on the heels of news that Denver attorney Penfield Tate had recently resigned from his position on the CSU Board of Governors, a move that led to talk that he also would be in the running for the chancellor's job.

But Tate, who served on the Board of Governors for less than a year, said it would be incorrect to say he left to pursue the chancellor position, which has involved strategic planning, fundraising and outreach to community, government and business leaders.

"I have some other things going on, and so I contacted the chair (Joseph Zimlich) and told him I needed to step down," said Tate, who resigned March 2. "I obviously have a very strong affinity for the school. ... However, concerns change, and things develop."

One of the people who encouraged Ritter to apply was Colorado Mesa University president Tim Foster, who chatted with him at a coffee shop about a month ago.

"I told him I thought he would be good," said Foster, a Republican who formerly served in the state House. "I think Bill Ritter has a passion for higher-ed. He showed that when he served as governor."

CSU officials had no comment about any potential candidates. A school spokesman said the search committee has a list of five to seven candidates, and interviews will begin in about 10 days.

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20135268/former-gov-ritter-not-vying-colorado-state-university

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