RITTER SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING VACATION & SICK LEAVE POLICY

         

Gov. Bill Ritter has signed an executive order establishing a fair and clear policy regarding the accrual, capping and tracking of vacation, sick and other annual leave for department heads.

 

"This executive order sets forth clear and equitable guidelines for leave accrual, removing any ambiguities and placing the executive directors on equal footing with other state employees," Gov. Ritter said. "These rules are fair and they protect taxpayer dollars."

 

The order allows 15 executive directors to accrue 13.33 annual leave hours per month, or 20 days per year. It also allows for the accrual of 6.66 hours of sick leave per month, or 10 days per year.

 

For executive directors with fewer than five years of total Colorado state government service, the maximum accrual of annual leave is 192 hours (24 days). For those with five or more years of service, the maximum accrual is 240 hours (30 days).

 

Annual leave in excess of those amounts will be forfeited each year on July 1.

 

Regarding sick time, the maximum accrual for any executive director regardless of years of service is 360 hours (45 days). Sick leave in excess of that amount will be forfeited each year on July 1.

 

The executive order requires department heads to track their annual and sick leave and report it in writing to the governor's chief of staff. Records will be reconciled at least once a year.

 

The complete text of the executive order, which Gov. Ritter signed Thursday, follows this news release. 

 

 

D 007 07

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER

 

 

Annual and Sick Leave Policy for Executive Directors

 

            Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of Colorado, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order setting forth the annual and sick leave policy for Executive Directors. 

 

1.                  Background and Purpose

 

The purpose of this policy is to provide clear guidance for the accrual and tracking of annual and sick leave for Executive Directors, and to ensure that such leave is accrued and tracked in a fair and equitable manner that is consistent with the policies applicable to other state employees.

 

This Executive Order applies to the following individuals, who are referred to below as "Executive Directors":  Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture; Executive Director of the Department of Corrections; Executive Director of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing; Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education; Executive Director of the Department of Human Services; Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment; Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs; Executive Director of the Department of Military Affairs; Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources; Executive Director of the Department of Personnel and Administration; Executive Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment; Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety; Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies; Executive Director of the Department of Revenue; and Executive Director of the Department of Transportation.

 

2.                  Directive

 

1. Each Executive Director shall accrue 13.33 hours of annual leave per month, which equates to approximately 20 days of annual leave per year.  Each Executive Director shall also accrue 6.66 hours of sick leave per month, which equates to approximately 10 days of sick leave per year.  Leave is credited on the last day of the month in which it is earned and is available for use on the first day of the next month.

 

2. All Executive Directors shall track their use of annual and sick leave in their respective departments.  In addition, Executive Directors shall contemporaneously report use of annual leave and sick leave to the Chief of Staff or his or her designee in writing or via email, where a record of Executive Director annual and sick leave will be maintained.

 

3. At least once each calendar year the records for executive director annual and sick leave maintained by the department and those records maintained by the Chief of Staff shall be reconciled.  Such records may only be reconciled in favor of the Executive Director if documentation is provided to substantiate that less leave was taken than is reflected in the records or the Executive Director can provide written documentation to substantiate the accuracy of the departmental records.

 

4. For Executive Directors with fewer than five years of total service in Colorado state government, the maximum accrual of annual leave is 192 hours (24 days).  For Executive Directors with five or more years of total service in Colorado state government, the maximum accrual of annual leave is 240 hours (30 days).  Annual leave in excess of maximum amounts set forth in this paragraph are forfeited each year on July 1st.

 

5. The maximum sick leave that any Executive Director may accrue is 360 hours (45 days).  Sick leave in excess of the maximum set forth in this paragraph is forfeited each year on July 1st.

 

6. Upon separation from State service, each Executive Director shall be paid his or her earned and unused annual leave, which may not exceed the maximum accrual set forth in paragraph D above.

 

7. For any Executive Director with five or more years of total service in Colorado state government and who is 55 years of age or older at the time of his or her separation and/or retirement from state service, accrued and unused sick leave shall paid out at the rate of 25% of accrued and unused sick leave, subject to the maximum accrual set forth in paragraph E above.

 

8. This Executive Order does not restrict an Executive Director from exercising or requesting to exercise other types of leave that may be available by policy or statute, including but not limited to maternity leave, paternity leave, bereavement leave, military leave, jury leave, administrative leave, or unpaid leave.  However, no type of leave other than annual leave and sick leave shall accrue, carry over, or be paid out upon termination.

 

3.                  Duration

 

This Executive Order shall remain in force until further modification or rescission by the Governor. 

 

 

 

GIVEN under my hand and

the Executive Seal of the

State of Colorado, this 8th

day of March, 2007.

 

 

 

 

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor

 

 

 

GOV., LT. GOV. & FIRST LADY SCHEDULES WEEK OF MARCH 12

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE

 

Monday, March 12

 

9:30 a.m.:  Signing ceremony for House Bill 1132 with Rep. Buffie McFadyen and Sen. Gail Schwartz, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave., Pueblo.

 

12:30 p.m.:  News conference with U.S. Senators Ken Salazar and Tom Harkin on the federal farm bill, Adams County Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton.

 

Tuesday, March 13

 

3:30 p.m.:  The Bell Policy Center, Voices of Opportunity Event, Trinity Place, 1801 Broadway, Room 250.

 

Wednesday, March 14

 

6:30 p.m.:  University of Colorado Law School Alumni Banquet Distinguished Achievement Awards, Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th St.

Thursday, March 15

 

7:15 a.m.: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 3^rd Floor Conference Room, 1445 Market St.

 

 

LT. GOV. O'BRIEN SCHEDULE

 

Monday, March 12

 

National Lt. Governors' Association 2007 Winter Meeting, Washington D.C.

Contact Wil Alston for detailed information, 303.866.6323.

 

Tuesday, March 13

 

National Lt. Governors' Association 2007 Winter Meeting.

 

9 a.m.: Aerospace States Association (ASA) Hearing, Rayburn House, Independence Avenue & First Street SW.

 

Wednesday, March 14

 

National Lt. Governors' Association 2007 Winter Meeting.

 

Saturday, March 17

 

6:30 p.m.: Early Childhood Education Commission Meeting, state Capitol, Senate Hearing Room, TBD.

 

 

FIRST LADY JEANNIE RITTER SCHEDULE

 

Wednesday, March 14

 

11:30 a.m.: Colorado Clubhouse Association, 2nd annual luncheon on mental-illness issues (brief introductory remarks), 1370 Grant St., Denver. 

 

Friday, March 16

 

11:30 a.m.: Colorado LINKS for Mental Health, Boettcher Auditorium, Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway.

 

RITTER APPOINTS JEANNE SMITH TO LEAD CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced his selection of Deputy Attorney General Jeanne Smith as director of the Division of Criminal Justice. 

Smith has served as deputy A.G. for criminal justice for two years. Prior to that, she was the district attorney in the Colorado Springs-based 4^th Judicial District for eight years. She was with the D.A.'s office for a total of 22 years. 

"Jeanne Smith's commitment to public safety, her wealth of experience and commitment to criminal justice issues make her the ideal leader for this division," Gov. Ritter said. "She will help us implement innovative programs as we seek to reduce the offender recidivism rate while making the people of Colorado safer."

 

The Division of Criminal Justice is one of four divisions within the Department of Public Safety. The division coordinates services for victims of crime, sex offender management, domestic violence offender management, criminal justice system grants, and community corrections programs. It is state government's leading criminal justice policy research organization. 

"I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Gov. Ritter and Department of Public Safety Executive Director Peter Weir to help implement the governor's criminal justice strategy," Smith said. "Reducing offender recidivism is a critical need in Colorado." 

Smith's appointment is effective April 2, 2007.

GOV. RITTER TO SIGN HOUSE BILL 1014 IN GUNNISON ON FRIDAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter will travel to Western State College in Gunnison on Friday for his first bill-signing ceremony outside of the state Capitol. Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, co-sponsor of HB 1014, will be joining the governor for the ceremony.   

 

The bill, also co-sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, enables Western State College to establish graduate programs in addition to its undergraduate curriculum.

 

"Western State is a cornerstone for education and economic development in western Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "This bill will help Western State build on its success and allow us to keep educating Coloradans right here in Colorado. It also will provide employers with a workforce that is better aligned with the needs of the 21^st century."

 

The bill signing will be held in the Kebler Ballroom in Western State's Union Building at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 9.

 

RITTER NAMES H. MICHAEL EDWARDS AS NEW ADJUTANT GENERAL OF COLORADO

 

Edwards will replace retiring Maj. Gen. Mason C. Whitney;

Change-of-command ceremony scheduled for March 24

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today nominated Brig. Gen. H. Michael Edwards to become the new adjutant general and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. He will replace retiring Maj. Gen. Mason C. Whitney. A change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for March 24.

 

Since 2002, Gen. Edwards, 55, has served as commander of the 140^th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley Air Force Base, supervising and ensuring the combat readiness of more than 1,400 personnel.

 

A 34-year military veteran, Gen. Edwards graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy 1973 and joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 1980. He served as director of the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar in 2003 and is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours, including 140 combat hours enforcing no-fly zones in Iraq. He holds more than two dozen medals, awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.

 

"At a time when the country is at war overseas and Colorado military personnel are regularly placed in harm's way, Gen. Edwards will serve his troops and the entire state with distinction and dedication," Gov. Ritter said. "All of Colorado can feel confident placing their trust in his judgment and wisdom as he goes about making daily decisions that can carry life-or-death consequences."     

 

Pending Senate confirmation, Gen. Edwards will serve on the governor's Cabinet as adjutant general and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The adjutant general oversees more than 5,400 Colorado Army and Air National Guard members and 2,500 Civil Air Patrol officers, cadets and volunteers.

 

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Gov. Ritter for placing his confidence and trust in me by offering the opportunity to continue serving the state of Colorado as the adjutant general," Gen. Edwards said. "I look forward to working for Gov. Ritter, continuing the efforts of Gen. Whitney and those who have served before me in ensuring our Colorado National Guard continues to be the premier organization it is, as well as working to represent our veterans as a member of Gov. Ritter's Cabinet."

 

Gov. Ritter thanked Gen. Whitney for his seven years of service as Colorado's highest-ranking military commander.

 

"On behalf of Colorado's military personnel and the people of Colorado, I am grateful for Gen. Whitney's leadership," the governor said. "Time and again, in times of trouble during winter storms, wildfires and other emergencies, Gen. Whitney deployed his personnel to help. The state owes him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid."   

 

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RITTER TO DECLARE SATURDAY 'GEORGE STRAIT DAY' ON KYGO TOMORROW MORNING

Gov. Bill Ritter will appear on KYGO 98.5 FM on Friday morning to declare the next day "George Strait Day" Colorado. Strait performs at Pepsi Center in Denver on Saturday evening, and the governor has long been a fan of the country music star.

 

WHAT: Gov. Ritter will read proclamation declaring Saturday, March 3, "George Strait Day" inColorado.

 

WHEN: 7 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2007

 

WHERE: KYGO 98.5 FM

 

The text of the proclamation reads as follows:

 

WHEREAS, George Strait was born in 1952 in Poteet, Texas, and played in his first band – a rock band – in high school, before gaining his love for country music; and

 

WHEREAS, in 1971, George joined the US Army, serving for four years until his honorable discharge in 1975; and

 

WHEREAS, while attending Southwest Texas State University, George formed the Ace in the Hole Band, and was discovered by MCA records while playing in local bars throughout Texas; and

 

WHEREAS, since his debut single "Unwound", George Strait has produced 54 number one songs, sold more than 62 million recordings, and achieved 13 multi-platinum, 32 platinum, and 35 gold albums from the Recording Industry Association of America; and

 

WHEREAS, George Strait, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, is hailed as one of the most respected and admired country singers, and is a profound influence on many of his colleagues in the country music industry; and

 

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado hails George Strait as a devoted patriot, a dedicated citizen, and one of the greatest country singers of all time, and conveys its appreciation to "the King of Country";

 

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of Colorado, do hereby proclaim March 3, 2007, George Strait Day.

 

GOVERNOR, FIRST LADY, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND CABINET WILL READ TO STUDENTS FRIDAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter, First Lady Jeannie Ritter, Attorney General John Suthers and most of the Cabinet will participate in Read Across America Day on Friday, reading to elementary school students across the area.

 

Read Across America Day commemorates the birthday of Dr. Seuss and is a nationwide program that celebrates reading and encourages adults to become more involved in the literacy ofAmerica's children. Tomorrow marks the program's 10^th anniversary.

 

The governor and first lady will read to Del Pueblo Elementary School students.

 

WHAT:        Read Across America Day

WHEN:       9:30 to 10 a.m. Friday (March 2, 2007)

WHERE:      Del Pueblo Elementary, 750 Galapago, Denver

                    

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