A native of Burlington on Colorado’s eastern plains, Mark Hillman was appointed acting State Treasurer by Governor Owens in June 2005 and served in that capacity through March 2006, when the incumbent Treasurer returned from military service.  Previously, Mark served for seven years in the Colorado State Senate, representing the state’s largest legislative district covering 12 counties and more than 21,000 square miles. Mark was elected to leadership posts for five of his seven years in the Senate, including both Majority Leader and Minority Leader.

Mark’s pragmatic and effective leadership style earned him National Legislator of the Year honors from the National Republican Legislators Association, “Taxpayer Champion” from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, and other numerous awards in Colorado, including recognition from the Colorado Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Colorado Civil Justice League, and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.

During his service as Colorado’s chief financial officer, Treasurer Hillman served as the guardian of the taxpayer, ensuring that public funds entrusted to the state are managed safely and effectively in the best interests of Coloradans. Treasurer Hillman’s priorities also included ensuring taxpayers dollars are invested safely and wisely, improving the state’s financial stability, and empowering Coloradans through financial independence.

Mark married Heidi Horvath on July 16, 2005. They spend their time in both Denver and Burlington, where Mark continues to work the family farm, growing hard red winter wheat.  Early in his career, he worked for eight years as a fulltime sports editor, news reporter, photographer and “jack of all trades” at his hometown newspaper, the Burlington Record.