From 1999 to 2003 , Eid served in the cabinet of then-Colorado Governor Bill Owens . Owens first appointed him chief legal counsel , where he oversaw the appointment of 34 state judges . Eid also served as executive director for the Department of Personnel & Administration , where he was responsible for Colorado 's workforce of 70,000 . Within days of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre , Eid was chosen to head an independent commission reviewing the Jefferson County law enforcement response . He also chaired the Colorado State 's Board of Ethics , served on more than a dozen state boards during his time in Owens ' cabinet and eventually served as chief administrative officer for Colorado 's $ 13-billion state government . Owens described Eid as a model of integrity and uprightness while serving on the cabinet , and said of his work during that time , " It 's a trial by fire , and when you survive it , typically it means you 're going to be a very good lawyer . " In recognition of his reforms to the state personnel system , Eid – who co-chaired a statewide commission with former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm ( D ) focused on the future of the state workforce – was awarded the " Outstanding Governmental Official of the Year Award " by both the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2003
Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
Troy Eid