DENVER — Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has appointed Roger Werholtz, the former head of the Kansas Dept. of Corrections, to serve as a short-term replacement for Tom Clements, the slain former head of the Colorado Dept. of Corrections.
Werholtz, who retired in 2010, will begin work on Monday, April 22 and serve through July or until a permanent replacement is found.
Werholtz brings 28 years of corrections experience to the position, according to a release from Hickenlooper’s office.
He will lead efforts already underway to evaluate the Colorado’s parole system, work on the Prison Utilization Study, repurpose the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility and implement the department’s strategic plan.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Roger’s experience help us through this transition,” Hickenlooper said. “He has extensive corrections background and is well-suited to help us with the ongoing reviews of department operations and a search for a new executive director.”
Roxane White, the governor’s chief of staff, will continue to lead the Department of Corrections Executive Team until Werholtz starts work.
Clements was gunned down in the doorway of his own home last month.