Colorado Deputy Secretary Of State To Retire

DENVER (AP) -- After 12 years in the Colorado secretary of state's office and 31 years in state government overall, Deputy Secretary of State Bill Hobbs says he will retire to try new adventures.

State officials said Thursday that Hobbs will lead a committee to find his replacement. His official retirement date hasn't been set.

Hobbs has served as the appointee of five different secretaries of state. He originally was appointed by Donetta Davidson in 1999. He also served as interim secretary of state twice, between administrations, and has drafted hundreds of ballot initiative titles.

Hobbs previously worked at the Legislature drafting bills and staffing the Joint Budget Committee after attending law school at the University of Colorado and serving with the Peace Corps in Gambia.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)