Bruce Benson

The Regents of the University of Colorado may, this week, name Bruce Benson as President of the University. This decision would result in damage to the University, damage which may well be irreparable.

I respect the Regents. Their work is hard work. I do not want to micro-manage the University, but I don't think they understand how incredibly divisive the choice of Bruce Benson is. I am sure that they want only the best for the University, my law school alma mater. I want the best for the University also.

After a good number of years in the wilderness, years when the University's reputation at the State Capitol was badly tarnished, Hank Brown has worked wonders in restoring the luster for the University. The work is not done, but the University is miles advanced from where it was when Hank took over.

The choice of Bruce Benson to replace Hank is viewed as an insult by me, and by most of the individuals who were attacked by Mr. Benson's Trailhead Group. For those of you not familiar with Trailhead, this 527 organization was formed by Mr. Benson to attack Democratic opponents in the last election cycle. It ran adds that were misleading, in some cases outright lies. It was forced to withdraw or alter adds in some of the races.

I met with Bruce Benson after he was chosen as the sole candidate by the University's
search committee. He is charming, persistent and also completely tone deaf to the anger he created. Although he admits forming this 527, contributing several hundred thousand dollars to this 527, and raising millions more for it, he disavows responsibility for its actions. "They didn't listen to me."

Every University President needs a "honeymoon" to be effective. If he is ultimately chosen as President of the University, EVERY decision he makes, EVERY request the University makes of the Legislature will be scrutinized and viewed with skepticism.

I have promised to Bruce Benson that if he is chosen as President of the University, I will do my level best to work with him, and I will. At the same time, I will not forget for a single minute his political history. Will I trust him? Ronald Reagan said, "Trust, but verify." Even more than before, I will need to verify every issue that comes from Bruce Benson or the University.