Russ George has a unique perspective on state government.

The 60-year-old Rifle Republican served in the House for eight years, including the last two as the powerful speaker. Former Republican Gov. Bill Owens tapped George to run the Division of Wildlife, then the Department of Natural Resources.

Owens' successor, Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, appointed George in January to oversee the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Ritter also appointed a blue-ribbon panel to look for new ways to fund roads. One of the biggest battles under way at the legislature is how to pay for roads.

CDOT, as the department is called, has been in the spotlight lately because of major problems with a new computer system George inherited. Workers aren't getting their overtime, a problem George has vowed to correct.

1. First wildlife, then natural resources, now the highway department. Does this make you the ultimate expert on roadkill?

(Laughing) Yes, of course. But the great thing is now I can work on issues that save human lives and save wildlife. That's a neat convergence for me.

2. A legislative transportation caucus that meets every two weeks hears sobering reports about the condition of Colorado's roads. How did we get in such bad shape?

There is no doubt we need to do something more to fund transportation, which is why we're having this public conversation on what is the right thing for us to do.

We've got a looming set of storms, partly caused by the success across the country in consuming less gasoline per car, which means gas tax revenues are down.

And the downturn in the economy in the first half of this decade knocked out the money we live on.

At the same time, we've had a huge spike in the cost of materials, whether it be oil or concrete or steel. And you have population growth.

3. If you could select the new funding method for Colorado roads, what would you choose?

I don't know. I have given that a lot of thought. It's not going to be easy to look at all these possibilities and say, "This is the right one," and have the public say, "It's the right one," since everything has to go to the voters.

4.You've only been on your new job for two months but you're in a unique position to contrast the management styles of Owens and Ritter. What's your assessment?

They're both great people, easy to get along with. They both recognize the importance of transportation. The difference may be that Bill Owens' idea was to use available revenues. Bill Ritter is willing to to talk to the public about new revenues.

5. What's the biggest surprise about running CDOT?

In natural resources, I had eight different divisions , all with their own missions. Here it's a bigger organization, but I have one mission, one subject matter. I like that.

They said it

"Let me tell you something about Russ George. He has more integrity than nearly anyone I know. He is a capable public official and a great leader."

Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, who served with George in the House

"Russ George is one of the most effective and compassionate legislators I have ever worked with. He knows how to see the broad picture, and he knows how to bring sides together."

Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, who served with George in the House and now is vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee

Gov. Ritter last week

Gov. Bill Ritter today begins his 11th week as Colorado's 41st governor. Here's a look at last week:

• Education: Announces proposal to provide an extra $84 million for K-12 schools by stabilizing mill levy rates, a move that upset a number of Republicans, including anti-tax crusader Douglas Bruce.

Also signs Senate Bill 16 into law in Pueblo. The bill lowers the minimum age of compulsory school attendance from 7 years old to 6.

• Energy: Testifies at his first legislative committee hearing on a bill that establishes new state renewable energy standards.

• Vacation and sick leave: Announces a new policy for Cabinet directors after problems with leave were discovered in the previous administration.

• Water: Signs a landmark bill in Pueblo that, for the first time, allows water court judges to consider environmental impacts, quality and quantity as part of determining water transfers.

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