Scott Renfroe

Infobox State Senator
name=Scott Renfroe

---

height =150px
state_senate=Colorado
state=Colorado
district=13th
term_start=January 10, 2007cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Local legislators take first steps in new session |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070111/NEWS/101110078
work=Greeley Tribune |date=11 January 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]
preceded=Dave Owen
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=birth date and age|1966|12|07
place of birth=Greeley, Colorado
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=Pamela
profession=contractor
religion=Evangelical Free
party=Republican|

Scott Renfroe (born December 7 1966cite web |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=66429 |title=Senator Renfroe |accessdate=2008-01-12 |format=html |work=Project Vote Smart] ) is a legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado. Elected to the Colorado State Senate as a Republican in 2006, Renfroe represents Senate District 13, which encompasses northern and eastern Weld County, including the city of Greeley.cite web |url=http://comaps.org/district13s.html |title=State Senate District 13 |accessdate=2008-01-12 |format=html |work=COMaps ]

Biography

Born in Greeley, Colorado, Renfroe graduated from Eaton High School in 1985, where played basketball and was quarterback of the high school football team. He started his college career on a baseball scholarship at Iowa State University, but ended up attending four different colleges within a span of four years,cite web |url=http://coloradosenatenews.com/content/view/16 |title=Featured Profile: Scott Renfroe of Eaton |accessdate=2007-01-18 |work=ColoradoSenateNews.com ] ultimately graduating from Colorado State University in 1989cite web |url=http://www.scottrenfroe.com/about.htm |title=Biography |accessdate=2007-01-18 |work=Scott Renfroe for Senate District 13 ] with a degree in business administration.

Renfroe is married; he and his wife, Pamela met in high school,cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=A Closer Look At Scott Renfroe |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20060730/NEWS/107300076
work=Greeley Tribune |date=30 July 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] and have five children: Olivia, Sylvia, Vivian, and twin sons Derek, and Spencer. He was elected twice to the Eaton School District Board of Education, in 1997 and 2001. While on the Board of Education, he worked to adopt an abstinence-only sex education curriculum.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Sex education bill moves forward in Legislature |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070405/NEWS/104050097
work=Greeley Tribune |date=5 April 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

After college, Renfroe returned to Greeley, Colorado to work for his father's company, Foundation Builders, Inc.; he eventually became vice president and part-owner of the Weld County concrete contractor. Renfroe has served as president of the Weld County Builders Association and lent his experience to the Weld County Building Trades Advisory Board and the Greeley Building Inspection Advisory Board. As a developer, Renfroe's company helped bring the first strip mall and commercial center to the small town of Eaton.cite news |first=Sharon |last=Dunn |title=Growth spurt hits Eaton |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20041205/BUSINESS/112050043
work=Greeley Tribune |date=5 December 2004 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] cite news |first=Sharon |last=Dunn |title=Stores start to fill Eaton strip mall |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20051007/BUSINESS/110070059
work=Greeley Tribune |date=7 October 2005 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

He has sat on the Board of Deacons and Board of Trustees of Evangelical Free Church of Eaton, and has gone on short-term missions trips to Indiacite web |url=http://www.scottrenfroe.com/index.htm |title=Scott in India |accessdate=2007-01-18 |work=Scott Renfroe for Senate District 13 ] and Belize.

Legislative career

2006 election

Renfroe faced Rep. Dale Hall for the Republican nomination in the right-leaning district; both sought to replace retiring Sen. Dave Owencite news |first=Chris |last=Frates |author2=Mark P. Couch |title=Vote 2006 |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_4113358
work=Denver Post |date=30 July 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] Renfroe targeted Hall for, as a member of the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, being a vocal proponent of Colorado's Referendum C in 2005. The measure allowed the state to retain additional tax revenue, and Renfroe criticized the measure as unnecessary government spending. cite news |first=Chris |last=Frates |title=Harvey gets Douglas County nod |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_4154553
work=Denver Post |date=9 August 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] At the Republican party district assembly in April, Renfroe narrowly edged out Hall in delegate votes, earning the top spot on the primary ballot.cite news |first=Doyle |last=Murphy |title=Conservative Renfroe earns top spot in GOP battle for state senate |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20060411/NEWS/104110084
work=Greeley Tribune |date=11 April 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

In the Republican primary, Renfroe positioned himself as the more conservative candidate, benefiting from attacks by groups portraying Hall as "liberal" on gun control, immigrationcite news |first=Dan |last=Haley |title=Facing fire for acting Republican? |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_4115042
work=Denver Post |date=31 July 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] and abortion. Hall rebutted a number of factual errors and distortions in the third-party attacks, and the Christian Coalition publicly apologized for errors in their mailing.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Christian Coalition apologizes to Hall |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20060805/NEWS/108050096
work=Greeley Tribune |date=5 August 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] Renfroe also garnerned endorsements from former U.S. Senator William Armstrong, former Colorado Senate President John Andrews, and Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave; Hall was endorsed by four Weld County commissioners and Gov. Bill Owens.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=GOP state Senate race turns nasty |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20060723/NEWS/107230089
work=Greeley Tribune |date=23 July 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] Renfroe won the August primary election with 58 percent of the vote.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Renfroe wins GOP primary |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20060808/NEWS/60808013
work=Greeley Tribune |date=8 August 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Primary shows a division: Renfroe win signals conservative clout in Weld County GOP |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20060810/NEWS/108100100
work=Greeley Tribune |date=10 August 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

In the general election, Renfroe faced Democrat Solomon Little Owl, director of Native American Student Services at the University of Northern Colorado.cite news |author=Editorial Board |title=Weighing Colorado legislative candidates |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_4448950
work=Denver Post |date=8 October 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] In the predominantly Republican district, Renfroe also criticized Little Owl for his support of Referendum C and his activism against a local American Indian school mascot.cite news |first=Doyle |last=Murphy |title=Candidates square off in first Senate District 13 debate |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20061017/NEWS/110170131
work=Greeley Tribune |date=17 October 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] Renfroe ultimately won the contest with 60 percent of the general election vote.cite news |first=Vanessa |last=Delgado |title=Republican newcomer Renfroe wins Senate District 13 |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20061108/NEWS/111080140
work=Greeley Tribune |date=8 November 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

2007 legislative session

Infobox Colorado Legislation
Title=Sen.
Name=Renfroe
Year=2007
Bill Number 1=SB07-038
Bill Number 2=SB07-050
Bill Number 3=SB07-069
Bill Number 4=SB07-143
Bill Number 5=SB07-201
Bill Number 6=SB07-213
Bill Link 1=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/C3AF9C8BE40C415687257251007C6AC1?Open&file=038_01.pdf
Bill Link 2=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/AA15C6D99622403787257251007D5A7D?Open&file=050_enr.pdf
Bill Link 3=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/38ABB358D99728CF87257251007D5A0F?Open&file=069_01.pdf
Bill Link 4=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/622131162885211887257251007C5714?Open&file=143_01.pdf
Bill Link 5=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/E6C3C8DFE5C3236D8725727C00017A96?Open&file=201_enr.pdf
Bill Link 6=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/5FB73B396C0C319487257251007B30A7?Open&file=213_ren.pdf
Bill Status 1=Postponed indefinitely in Senate committee
Bill Status 2=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 3=Postponed indefinitely in Senate committee
Bill Status 4=Postponed indefinitely in Senate committee
Bill Status 5=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 6=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Title 1=Concerning the suspension of payment of temporary disability benefits due to an employee's failure to attend a medical appointment.
Bill Title 2=Concerning authorization of a school district employee to represent the school district in truancy proceedings.
Bill Title 3=Concerning a prohibition of a statewide concealed handgun permit database.
Bill Title 4=Concerning a prohibition on abortion [...]
Bill Title 5=Concerning the continuous appropriation of moneys in specified funds used to pay benefits under the "Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado."
Bill Title 6=Concerning the continuation of the licensing of addiction treatment programs by the Department of Human Services" [...]

In the 2007 session of the General Assembly, Renfroe served on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Transportation Committee.cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/directory.nsf/SenCommWp?OpenView&Start=1 |title=Senate Committees of Reference |accessdate=2008-02-06 |work=Colorado General Assembly]

During the 2007 legislative session, Renfroe fulfilled a campaign promise to sponsor legislation banning almost all abortions and redefining pregnancy in state law to begin at conception.cite news |first=Colleen |last=Slevin |title=Lawmakers consider near-ban on abortions |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_5213206
work=Denver Post |date=12 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] cite news |first=Colleen |last=Slevin |title=Senator urges ban on most abortions, citing civil rights |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/feb/13/senator-urges-ban-on-most-abortions-citing-civil/
work=Rocky Mountain News |date=13 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] After intense lobbying by both pro-life and pro-choice groups,cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Sunday meeting opposing abortion ban |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070209/NEWS/102080138
work=Greeley Tribune |date=9 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] cite news |first=Doyle |last=Murphy |title=Opponents of abortion ban stage rally in Greeley |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070212/NEWS/102120084
work=Greeley Tribune |date=12 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] the measure was defeated along party lines in the Senate Judiciary Committee.cite news |first=Jeri |last=Clausing |title=Senate panel rejects ban on abortions |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_5215064
work=Denver Post |date=13 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Committee nixes Greeley lawmaker's bill to ban abortion |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070213/NEWS/102130097
work=Greeley Tribune |date=13 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

He also introduced legislation to reduce paperwork for small businesses,cite news |first=Andy |last=McElhany |title=Full text of Senate minority leader's speech |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070213/NEWS/102130097
work=Denver Post |date=10 January 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] , to allow school districts to represent themselves at truancy hearings,cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Reflect on legislature's efforts |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070513/TRIBEDIT/105130121
work=Greeley Tribune |date=13 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Truancy bill could help small school districts |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070222/NEWS/102220080
work=Greeley Tribune |date=22 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] and to eliminate a state database of concealed weapons permit holders.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Concealed weapons bills continue through legislature; Renfroe's bill killed |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070208/NEWS/102070099
work=Greeley Tribune |date=8 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

Renfroe was among Republican legislators who opposed revising statewide sex education standards to include information about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases; he unsuccessfully attempted to amend the legislation to exempt school districts within Weld County.cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title=GOP feels snub on sex ed |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_5595965
work=Denver Post |date=4 April 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] Renfroe also opposed measures to allow members of homosexual couples to adopt each other's children,cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title=State GOP warns of "homosexual agenda" |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_5643896
work=Denver Post |date=11 April 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] and to name John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" one of Colorado's state songs.cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title="Rocky Mountain High" now 2nd state song |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5421650
work=Denver Post |date=13 March 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

During the 2007 session, Renfroe, along with a dozen other Republican legislators, joined the State Legislators for Legal Immigration coalition, advocating for heightened border security and cutting government benefits to illegal aliens.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Three northern Colorado lawmakers join coalition to seal borders |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070522/NEWS/105220105
work=Greeley Tribune |date=22 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

Following the legislative session, Renfroe served on the legislature's interim committee on Long-Term Care Health Care Services and Support to Persons with Developmental Disabilities,cite web |url=http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2007/comsched/07DisabilitiesSched.htm |title=Long-Term Care Health Care Services and Support to Persons with Developmental Disabilities Committee |accessdate=2008-04-27 |work=Colorado Legislative Council ] the Legislative Oversight Committee for the Continuing Examination of the Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Justice System.cite web |url=http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2007/comsched/07MICJSsched.htm |title=Legislative Oversight Committee for the Continuing Examination of the Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Justice System |accessdate=2008-04-27 |work=Colorado Legislative Council ] , and the Transportation Legislation Review Committee.cite web |url=hhttp://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2007/comsched/07TLRCSched.htm |title=Transportation Legislation Review Committee 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-27 |work=Colorado Legislative Council ]

2008 legislative session

In the 2008 session of the General Assembly, Renfroe serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee.cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/directory.nsf/SenCommWp?OpenView&Start=1 |title=Senate Committees of Reference |accessdate=2008-02-06 |work=Colorado General Assembly]

For the 2008 Colorado General Assembly, Renfroe announced plans to sponsor legislation to prioritize funding to assist those with developmental disabilities,cite news |first=Chris |last=Barge |title=Republican legislators offer their own health insurance proposals |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/04/republican-legislators-offer-their-own-health/
work=Rocky Mountain News |date=4 December 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] to require the Colorado Historical Society to use more energy efficient materials,cite news |first=David |last=Young |title=Colorado Senate elects first black president |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080110/NEWS/569646815
work=Greeley Tribune |date=10 January 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] and to establish uniform rules for drivers cited for DUI,cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Correction for Jan. 12 |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080112/CORRECT/137850760
work=Greeley Tribune |date=12 January 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ] equalizing sentencing rules for those given a summons and those arrested for drunk driving.cite news |first=David |last=Young |title=New bill could change DUI summons |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080211/NEWS/501852059
work=Greeley Tribune |date=11 February 2008 |accessdate=2008-02-14 ] Renfroe also sponsored a bill that was killed in committee that would have allowed citizens to sue the government over violations of the right to free exercise of religion.cite news |first=Andrew |last=Villegas |title=Lawmakers tout 2008 legislation, look forward to transportation, other funding questions next year |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080512/NEWS/713619109 |work=Greeley Tribune |date=12 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-05-12 ]

In April, Renfroe was one of only two senators to vote against the nomination of Celeste C de Baca to the state parole board, citing concerns about her conduct as a judge.cite news |first=Mike |last=Saccone |title=Senator questions nominee's judgment |url=http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/04/30/050108_3a_Parole.html |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |date=30 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-05-01 ] Renfroe is also exploring legislation regarding water rights along the South Platte River.cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Lawmakers still plan on working after session wraps up |url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070513/NEWS/105120146
work=Greeley Tribune |date=13 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-18 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/house/members/sen13.htm Colorado General Assembly profile]
* [http://www.scottrenfroe.com/ Scott Renfroe for Senate District 13] - campaign site
* [http://www.weldcountygop.org/ Weld County Republicans] - Executive Committee site