Alpha Omega at CU

The Honorable Andrew Romanoff is the Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, the first Democrat to hold that post since 1975. He represents House District 6, covering east Denver and Glendale.
Rep. Romanoff was elected to the House in 2000 and reelected in 2002, 2004 and 2006. Before his election to the speakership, he served as the House Minority Leader. He is the youngest recipient of the William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, the highest award bestowed upon state legislative leaders.
The Denver Post described Rep. Romanoff as one of Colorado's most successful legislators. Over the past six years, no one in Colorado has worked harder to bridge the political divide. In 2005, Rep. Romanoff teamed with then-Gov. Bill Owens to craft Referendum C, the Colorado Economic Recovery Plan, and helped build the broadest coalition in state history to pass it.
His commitment to bipartisanship is no accident. Rep. Romanoff is the product of a Democratic mother and a Republican father.
He credits his parents with his interest in public service. "When my sister and I were growing up, our mother was a social worker and our father was a prosecutor. It teaches you something about where you want to make a difference." In his first three years in the State House, Rep. Romanoff served on the Health and Welfare Committee ("in honor of my mom") and the Criminal Justice Committee ("in deference to my dad"). The experience led him to emphasize prevention and early intervention.
Rep. Romanoff has fought to expand access to drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, preschool and kindergarten. His efforts have earned considerable support from both sides of the aisle. In his first two terms, Rep. Romanoff steered 25 bills through the Republican-led House. Rep. Romanoff was elected Speaker in 2005-2006 and again in 2007. He oversees the operations of the House, chairing formal floor debates, assigning bills, and determining the composition of legislative committees.
When the legislature is not in session, Rep. Romanoff teaches political science at the Community College of Aurora. He has also taught at Red Rocks Community College, Metropolitan State College at Denver, and the University of Colorado's Graduate School of Public Affairs. He first began teaching in Central America and speaks fluent Spanish.
Rep. Romanoff earned a bachelor's degree at Yale and a master's degree in public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He is completing a law degree at the University of Denver.

The Honorable James Kerr represents House District 28. Completing his fourth year at the state legislature, State Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton, has been considered one of the state’s most effective legislators.
In his two terms, 2005 - 2007 and 2007 – 2009, Jim has been the prime sponsor of 33 bills and resolutions. 28 of which were successfully passed; an 85% success rate. Prior to his time in the legislature, Jim was a businessman, working as a garage owner, service manager, district and regional sales manager, and as a factory representative in the automotive industry.
Because of his long career in business, Jim understands the concerns of the business community –something he addresses at the state capitol through his pushes for limited government.
Additionally, as a man dedicated to an individual’s rights, Jim firmly opposes regulation and government interference in the lives of Colorado citizens.
During his time at the legislature thus far, Jim has sponsored twenty-two new laws and co-sponsored numerous other measures to protect public safety, lower the cost of health care, protect private property rights, ensure accountability in elections, protect consumers, ensure school safety, find solutions to Colorado’s water challenges, and to address the problem of illegal immigration.
Jim’s legislative work has been recognized by several organizations, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the Restaurant Association, the Colorado Senior Lobby, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Colorado Humane Voters League. In addition to playing a crucial role in the implementation of new law, Jim serves on several committees at the capitol – Appropriations, Health and Human Services, and Finance. Jim is also the chair of the Legislative Audit Committee, a joint legislative committee.
When not working for fair legislation in Denver, Jim spends time with his wife, Patsy, their four children, and seven grandchildren. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Warren Tech, an extension of Jefferson County high schools that provides career and technical