GOV. RITTER LAUDS VILLAFUERTE NOMINATION FOR U.S. ATTORNEY

Gov. Bill Ritter today praised President Obama’s nomination of Stephanie Villafuerte to become the next U.S. Attorney for Colorado . Villafuerte is a longtime criminal prosecutor who has served since 2007 as a deputy chief of staff in the Governor’s Office.

“Stephanie has spent nearly her entire career serving the people of Colorado ,” Gov. Ritter said. “As a former federal prosecutor and chief deputy district attorney, she is highly regarded by prosecutors and defense attorneys alike. She’s also been a central part of my leadership team in the Governor’s Office for nearly three years. Stephanie is imminently qualified – with the right mix of leadership skills, talent and intellect – to serve as U.S. Attorney for Colorado .

“I urge the Senate to confirm her nomination as quickly as possible.”

As deputy chief of staff, Villafuerte has provided key leadership on criminal justice, public safety and community outreach issues. She serves on the board of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Villafuerte earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver in 1987 and her law degree from the UCLA in 1991. She served in the Denver District Attorney’s Office from 1991 to 1998, specializing in domestic violence and crimes against children cases. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1998, returning to the Denver D.A.’s Office in 2001 as a chief deputy district attorney in charge of the Family Violence Unit and County Court and Juvenile Court units. She took a leave of absence from the DA’s Office in 2006 to work on Gov. Ritter’s campaign.

Villafuerte has prosecuted thousands of cases in state and federal court. She was selected as Prosecutor of the Year in 2005 by the Colorado District Attorney’s Council for her work on behalf of child victims.