About Bernie Buescher
Bernie Buescher, Colorado Secretary of State
Bernie Buescher is a fourth generation Coloradoan who was born and raised in Grand Junction and has lived there most of his life. After the untimely death of his father, when Bernie was 15 years old, Bernie’s mother, Vickey Buescher, worked hard to put her three children through college and her example taught them that through hard work they could achieve their goals. While at Grand Junction High School, Bernie was the editor of the school newspaper. After graduation, he went on to college at Notre Dame and graduated with an accounting degree which he used to help put himself through law school. While at Notre Dame, Bernie met his future wife, Mary Beth. They have been married for 37 years and they have four adult children, Michael, Elizabeth, Marcia and Susan, and two grandchildren. Bernie and Mary Beth both received their law degrees from the University of Colorado in 1974.
After law school, Bernie and Mary Beth returned to Grand Junction where they raised their family. They became immersed in issues facing the community and together, Bernie and Mary Beth were named "Citizens of the Year" for 2004 by the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce to honor their extensive community involvement.
On January 14, 2009, Bernie was sworn in as Colorado’s Secretary of State. During the previous four years, Bernie served two terms in the Colorado House of Representatives. At the legislature, Bernie was appointed to the Joint Budget Committee, where he worked on behalf of Colorado to find innovative, bipartisan solutions to the difficult issues facing the state. Bernie served as Chair of the Budget Committee in 2006 and 2008, and as chair of the Appropriations Committee in 2007 and 2008.
Key legislative accomplishments include working on legislation to protect PERA, legislation promoting Colorado’s wineries, legislation promoting the use of renewable energy for Colorado, counseling for victims of child abuse, and legislation expanding the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. He also worked on significant legislation regarding the allocation of federal mineral lease revenues to aid in funding higher education and continuously made an effort to establish a Rainy Day Fund for the state.
Prior to holding public office, Bernie was appointed by Governor Roy Romer to reorganize the Colorado State Fair. Governor Romer then tapped him to be the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Finance, where, he was responsible for implementing the Children's Basic Health Plan. For nearly ten years, he served as President of West Star Aviation, where he grew the company from 28 employees to 220 employees. Bernie practiced law as a member of Williams, Turner and Holmes, P.C. from 1975 through 1986.