Prior to his appointment to the bench, the Honorable Bernie Buescher served two terms in the Colorado General Assembly where he chaired both the House Appropriations Committee (2007-2008) and the Joint Budget Committee (2006 & 2008). Known as a bi-partisan legislator, Buescher successfully carried numerous pieces of legislation, including bills to provide mental health counseling for the young victims of child abuse and to reallocate Federal Mineral Lease revenues to create a permanent fund on behalf of higher education. During his time in the legislature, Buescher received Legislator of the Year awards from Colorado Youth Corps, Colorado Association of Non Profits, the National Association of Social Workers, the Colorado Economic Development Council (twice), the University of Colorado, the United Veteran’s Committee, and many other organizations.

 

A native of Mesa County, Buescher practiced law in Grand Junction for many years representing small businesses. Buescher focused primarily on transactional law and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, as a partner at Williams, Turner and Holmes P.C. In 1986, he was named CEO of West Star Aviation and grew the business from 28 employees to over 220. Since 1996, Mr. Buescher has owned and managed Connections at Work, LLC which is primarily engaged in aircraft leasing.

 

In 1996, Governor Romer asked Buescher to reorganize the Colorado State Fair. This project was so successful that Romer appointed Buescher to his cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Finance where he made his mark inaugurating the Colorado Children’s Basic Health Plan. Buescher’s extensive community involvement was crowned in January, 2004 when he was named Citizen of the Year by the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce along with his wife, Mary Beth. Buescher was recognized for his work as Chairman of the Board of St. Mary’s Hospital, are member of the boards of the Colorado Health and Hospital Association and Riverview Technology Corp. where he worked to preserve jobs at the Department of Energy site in Mesa County. Buescher also served on numerous boards including the Mesa County Economic Development Council, the Colorado Transportation Commission, the Colorado Economic Development Commission and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation.

 

Buescher received his JD degree from the University of Colorado and a BBA from The University of Notre Dame. Buescher and Mary Beth have been married for 37 years and have four children and two grandchildren.

 

(09/10)