Don Marostica

Marostica was born in Sterling, Colorado and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Johnstown.{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Progressive 15 names Alumni of Plains |url=http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/ci_13504809 |work=Fort Morgan Times |date=October 7, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} He attended Colorado State University on football and wrestling scholarships, graduating in 1970 with a degree in physical science and geology.{{cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Don Marostica – Republican |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/election/candidate.asp?candidateID=19 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |year=2006 |access-date=2008-01-20}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} In 1975, he earned a master's degree in secondary school administration from the University of Northern Colorado

Have been commissioned through the ROTC program at Colorado State, Marostica served in the United States Army and the Colorado Army National Guard, leaving the service at the rank of captain in 1979. After leaving the army, Marostica taught and coached wrestling at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins. Marostica currently resides in Loveland, Colorado with his wife, Carol.{{cite web |url=http://www.donmarostica.com/exp.php |title=Don Marostica |access-date=2007-03-14 |work=DonMarostica.com}}

Marostica entered the real estate industry in 1977 and is currently a partner in Loveland Commercial, LLC. In 1982, during a downturn in the real estate market, Marostica declared bankruptcy and had judgements from creditors filed against him. He also had tax liens filed against him both in the early 1980s and in the mid-1990s, and has since paid all back taxes.{{cite web |url=http://www.lovelandpolitics.com/taxlien |title=Don Marostica's Taxes |access-date=2008-01-20 |work=LovelandPolitics.com}} Marostica became financially successful in real estate,{{cite news|first=Blake |last=P. |title=Blake: Roy can't give up politics |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion_columnists/article/0,2777,DRMN_23972_5108165,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205172047/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion_columnists/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23972_5108165%2C00.html |archive-date=February 5, 2007 |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=November 1, 2006 |access-date=2007-12-08 |url-status=dead }} and, together with other partners in Loveland Commercial, has donated extensively to local causes, including endowing a chair in the business department of Colorado State University.{{cite web|url=http://www.lovelandcommercial.com/company.html# |title=Company Profile |access-date=2007-12-08 |work=Loveland Commercial, LLC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050913145421/http://www.lovelandcommercial.com/company.html |archive-date=September 13, 2005 }} As a developer, Marostica specialized in commercial real estate, spearheading five Planned Unit Developments in Loveland and Milliken, Colorado.{{cite web |url=http://www.lovelandcommercial.com/marostica.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213064759/http://lovelandcommercial.com/marostica.html |archive-date=2005-02-13 |title=Don Marostica |access-date=2007-12-08 |work=Loveland Commercial, LLC}}

Marostica was elected to the Loveland City Council in 2001, serving for three years, including a span as mayor pro tem, before resigning in 2004 because of professional conflicts of interest.{{cite news |title=Marostica jons race |url=http://www.soapblox.net/colorado/showComment.do?commentId=7193 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=April 14, 2006 |access-date=2007-03-14}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} During his 2006 legislative campaign, he was criticized for, as a city council member, voting to award city money to his company for a development contract;{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Martin |title=Political blogger blasts hopeful |work=Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald |date=July 27, 2007 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.lovelandpolitics.com/marostica.html |title=Don Marostica's History of "Public Service" |access-date=2007-03-14 |work=LovelandPolitics.com}} the city council had to authorize a special exception to its conflict of interest rules to approve the contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/council/CouncilAgendas/City%20Council%202004/cc20040601/cctemplate.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831082153/http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/council/CouncilAgendas/City%20Council%202004/cc20040601/cctemplate.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 31, 2006 |title=City Council Agenda – June 1, 2004 |access-date=2008-01-20 |work=City of Loveland, Colorado }}

Marostica has served on over 60 boards and commissions in the Loveland area, with an emphasis on transportation-related issues (Loveland Transportation Finance Committee, Loveland East-West Mobility Study Committee, Loveland Eisenhower Boulevard Alignment Analysis Committee, Fort Collins-Loveland Airport Master Plan Update Committee). He has also served as the chair of the board of directors of the Poudre Valley Health System Foundation and the Medical Center of the Rockies Foundation, and on the bond oversight committee for the Thompson School District.{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pilsner |title=Drop in enrollment changes focus |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=20624 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=December 26, 2008 |access-date=2008-12-27}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} He is also an avid motorcyclist and regularly participates in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Ride to the Wall, a cross-county ride ending at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

In seeking the 51st House district state house seat, representing Loveland, Marostica first faced a challenge from Kevan McNaught in the Republican primary. McNaught was endorsed by the Colorado Club for Growth, who criticized Marostica for his support of higher taxes and his use of eminent domain when he was a member the Loveland city council.{{cite press release |title=Colorado Club for Growth Endorses Kevan McNaught |publisher=Colorado Club for Growth |date=July 17, 2006 |url=http://rossputin.com/blog/index.php/a/2006/07/21/club_for_growth_endorses_kevan_mcnaught |access-date=2007-12-08}} Marostica edged out McNaught in the Republican primary by about 250 votes, or 5% of voters.{{cite web|url=http://www.co.larimer.co.us/elections/elections_tab.htm |title=Election Information |access-date=2007-03-14 |author=Larimer County, Colorado |work=Larimer County Virtual Courthouse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204090734/http://www.co.larimer.co.us/elections/elections_tab.htm |archive-date=February 4, 2007 |df=mdy }} In contrast with McNaught's conservative credentials, Marostica was considered by observers on both the left and the right to be a moderate Republican;{{cite news|title=BREAKING: HD-51 to stay in the R column |url=http://archive.squarestate.net/showDiary.do?diaryId=1319 |work=SquareState.Net |date=April 13, 2006 |access-date=2007-03-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724081546/http://archive.squarestate.net/showDiary.do?diaryId=1319 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 }}{{cite news |title=What do Republicans stand for? |url=http://www.blogforgrowth.com/2006/07/what_do_republicans_stand_for.html |work=BlogforGrowth.com |date=July 24, 2006 |access-date=2007-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009181524/http://www.blogforgrowth.com/2006/07/what_do_republicans_stand_for.html |archive-date=2007-10-09}} he supported Colorado's 2005 Referendum C, a loosening of state spending restrictions under the state's Taxpayer Bill of Rights.{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Martin |title=Marostica says he has experience |work=Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald |date=July 26, 2007 }}

In the general election, Marostica defeated Democrat Jodi Radke in the general election with 56% of the vote. Marostica raised and spent roughly $350,000, of which $220,000{{cite news |first=Douglas |last=Crowl |title=Marostica fundraising tops Bennett totals |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=October 22, 2008 }} — almost least two-thirds of the money his campaign spent — was donated by Marostica himself, to win the contested primary and general elections.{{cite web |url=http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20066&c=426217 |title=Candidate Summary: Marostica, Don |access-date=2008-01-20 |work=Follow The Money}}

For the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Marostica was assigned to seats on the House Finance Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee,{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |access-date=2007-12-11 |work=Colorado General Assembly}} while expressing an interest in eventually serving on the powerful Joint Budget Committee.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=Northern lawmaker has eye on big post |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=October 24, 2007 }} Following the legislative session, Marostica sat on the interim Transportation Legislation Review Committee.{{cite web |url=http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1239977080338 |title=Archives Transportation Legislation Review Committee 2007 |access-date=2010-04-20 |work=Colorado Legislative Council |archive-date=August 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830031513/http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1239977080338 |url-status=dead }}

Although a Republican serving in a legislature controlled by Democrats, Marostica was relatively successful at passing legislation.{{cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Admitted thief says it makes him a good candidate |url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20071104/NEWS/111040173 |work=Greeley Tribune |date=November 4, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08}} During his first session, Marostica sponsored bills to streamline the issuance of search warrants,{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=Ritter streamlines search, arrest warrants for police |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=March 2, 2007 }} to give volunteer reserve peace officers the same status as regular peace officers,{{cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Big bucks didn't buy this election |url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20070805/NEWS/108040116 |work=Greeley Tribune |date=August 5, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08}} and to require that

powersports vehicles be sold only by licensed motor vehicle dealers.{{cite web |url=http://192.70.175.129/CLICS/CLICS2007A/commsumm.nsf/b4a3962433b52fa787256e5f00670a71/58321eef180682c087257275005d3ee7?OpenDocument |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529140744/http://192.70.175.129/CLICS/CLICS2007A/commsumm.nsf/b4a3962433b52fa787256e5f00670a71/58321eef180682c087257275005d3ee7?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-29 |title=House Committee on Transportation & Energy (02/01/2007) |access-date=2007-12-08 |work=Colorado General Assembly }}

Marostica, an avid motorcyclist, was among the prominent opponents of a bill that would have required minors to wear motorcycle helmets while riding,{{cite news|first=Alan |last=Gathright |title=Helmet bill gains speed |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5350085,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219030015/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23906_5350085%2C00.html |archive-date=February 19, 2007 |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=February 14, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08 |url-status=dead }} even wearing his own motorcycle helmet to a committee hearing at which the bill was debated.{{cite news |author=Roll Call |title=A House United |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/feb/28/roll-call-february-28/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=February 28, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08}}

Marostica failed to win legislative approval what he described as his "most important" proposal — the "Taxpayer Transparency Act," which would have required that government expenditures larger than $300 be reported on a searchable government website.{{cite news|author=Staff Report |title=Legislation to brag about |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5522106,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514154050/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23906_5522106%2C00.html |archive-date=May 14, 2007 |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=May 5, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08 |url-status=dead }} Although supported by Republican House leadership, the bill died in committee;{{cite news|first=Mike |last=May |title=Minority Leader Mike May addresses lawmakers |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5270432,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126014241/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23906_5270432%2C00.html |archive-date=January 26, 2007 |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08 |url-status=dead }} however, Marostica saw his transparency proposal implemented in 2009 by an executive order of Gov. Bill Ritter.{{cite news |first=Kathyrn |last=Dailey |title=Jobs top NCLA's wish list |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?id=20828 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=January 7, 2009 |access-date=2009-01-10}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Ritter signs online-transparency order |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/30/daily78.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=April 2, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}}

In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Marostica sat on the House Health and Human Services Committee, the House Transportation and Energy Committee, and the Joint Capital Development Committee.{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |access-date=2008-01-19 |work=Colorado General Assembly}}

Marostica declared his "favorite bill" among those he sponsored during the session to be a measure to exempt owners from property tax on buildings leased to public universities,{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=With a month to go, legislators assess bills' progress |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=16159 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=April 13, 2008 |access-date=2008-04-13}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite news |first=Douglas |last=Crowl |title=Marostica-sponsored bill exempts some property taxes |work=Loveland Connection |date=May 13, 2007 }} an idea Marostica attributed to a local developer.{{cite news |first=Douglas |last=Crowl |title=Marostica bill exempts some property taxes |work=Loveland Connection |date=May 15, 2008 }} Marostica also sponsored legislation signed into law to allow statutory counties, cities, and towns to spend money on marketing in addition to advertising,{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=Law signed into effect will allow statutory entities to market |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=14944 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071221101154/http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=14944 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=2008-02-23}} in response to a lawsuit challenging the town of Estes Park's ability to engage in marketing.{{cite news |first=John |last=Cordsen |title=Off to market |work=Estes Park Trail-Gazette |date=February 27, 2008 }}

Marostica announced his bid for re-election to the legislature in January 2008;{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=Rep. Don Marostica announces re-election bid |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=January 3, 2007 }} Marostica's campaign raised about five times as much money as that of Democratic opponent Kenneth Bennett, bringing in over $80,000 by mid-October, of which $10,000 was contributed by Marostica personally;{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=Ken Bennett likely candidate to oppose incumbent Marostica |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=15387 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=March 6, 2008 |access-date=2008-03-06}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} His re-election bid was endorsed by the Denver Post,{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |title=Post's picks in Colorado's House of Representatives |url=http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_10741559 |work=Denver Post |date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=2008-11-01}} Marostica ultimately won with 58 percent of the vote.{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=Marostica keeps state post |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=November 5, 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.colorado.gov/Content/Documents/2008_Abstract.pdf |title=2008 Election – Abstract of Votes Cast |access-date=2010-04-20 |work=Colorado Secretary of State |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527121110/http://www.elections.colorado.gov/Content/Documents/2008_Abstract.pdf |url-status=dead }}

In the contested 2008 Republican presidential primaries, Marostica supported former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, helping to organize a November 2007 fundraiser for Giuliani's campaign that was reported to net over $60,000.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=Cheers, jeers for Giuliani |work=Fort Collins Colorado |date=November 11, 2007 }}{{cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title="America's Mayor" Elicits Both Jeers and Cheers |url=http://www.fortcollinsnow.com/article/20071114/NEWS/71113005 |work=Fort Collins Now |date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-08 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After John McCain secured the Republican nomination, Marostica supported the McCain-Palin ticket, including kicking off a Sarah Palin rally in Loveland in October.{{cite news|author=Staff Reports |title=Palin promises lower taxes, more oil production and a balanced budget |url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20081020/NEWS/810204351/1002&parentprofile=1001&title=Palin%20promises%20lower%20taxes,%20more%20oil%20production%20and%20a%20balanced%20budget |work=Greeley Tribune |date=October 20, 2008 |access-date=2008-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718174941/http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20081020/NEWS/810204351/1002%26parentprofile%3D1001%26title%3DPalin%20promises%20lower%20taxes%2C%20more%20oil%20production%20and%20a%20balanced%20budget |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}

For the 2009 legislative session, Marostica was named to a seat on the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, and a seat on the House Appropriations Committee as the ranking Republican member.{{cite press release |title=House Republican Committee Assignments Announced |date=November 18, 2008 |publisher=Colorado House Democrats |url=http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node/92 |access-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231125753/http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node%2F92 |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |url-status=dead }} During hearings before the beginning of the legislative session, Marostica supported withdrawing all state funding from public research universities,{{cite news |first=Allison |last=Sherrry |title=Could higher ed go solo? |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11257284 |work=Denver Post |date=December 18, 2008 |access-date=2008-12-27}} a move opposed by university leaders, but which was discussed more seriously after poor economic forecasts.{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Seallover |title=Budget cuts could end funding for higher ed |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/24/budget-cuts-could-end-funding-for-higher-ed/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=December 24, 2008 |access-date=2008-12-27}} Marostica also helped to lead an effort to allow the state to tap the financial reserves of Pinnacol Assurance, a quasi-governmental worker's compensation insurer, in order to balance the state budget.{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Mook |title=House committee advances bill to put Pinnacol under state control |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/04/13/daily27.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=April 14, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}}{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Hoover |title=Stash seen as budget fix |url=http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_12050887 |work=Denver Post |date=April 2, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}} Following the legislative session, Marostica served on Colorado's Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission, a panel created by legislation during the 2009 General Assembly to consider changes to constitutional constraints on the state budget.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=Budget panel told state is headed for cliff |url=http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991145-budget-panel-told-state-headed-cliff |work=Colorado Statesman |date=July 10, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708180204/http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991145-budget-panel-told-state-headed-cliff |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

In February, Marostica was the only Republican who announced plans to support legislation to repeal Colorado's Arveschoug-Bird limit, which capped the growth of general fund expenditures at 6 percent per year.{{cite news|first=Charles |last=Ashby |title=Legislature to consider dropping spending cap |url=http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_1c5a7e5d-1d48-5201-a148-844c5d961387.html |work=Pueblo Chieftain |date=February 20, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119045045/http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_1c5a7e5d-1d48-5201-a148-844c5d961387.html |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |df=mdy }} Marostica faced pressure from prominent Republicans, including Independence Institute President Jon Caldara and former state treasurer Mark Hillman, to drop his support; in response, he referred to Hillman and Caldera as "has-beens" and "losers," earning him additional criticism from House Republicans;{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Marostica sorry for calling GOP leaders 'losers' and 'has-beens' |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/19/marostica-sorry-calling-gop-leaders-losers-and-has/?partner=RSS |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-11}}{{cite news |first=John |last=Schroyer |title=Lawmaker defiant after dropping bill |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/ranks-48444-bill-republican.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609113958/http://www.gazette.com/articles/ranks-48444-bill-republican.html |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Marostica later promised to apologize to Hillman and Caldera.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=Rep. Marostica's SB 228 defies GOP |url=http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/99825-rep-marosticas-sb-228-defies-gop |work=Colorado Statesman |date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921163533/http://coloradostatesman.com/content/99825-rep-marosticas-sb-228-defies-gop |archive-date=September 21, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Marostica was the prime sponsor of the bill in the House,{{cite news |first=John |last=Schroyer |title=Senate OKs bill on broader spending |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill-50133-funding-state.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=March 17, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417023009/http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill-50133-funding-state.html |archive-date=April 17, 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Villegas |title=Spending cap fight continues today at Capitol |url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090310/NEWS/903109989/1008/NONE&parentprofile=1001&title=Spending%20cap%20fight%20continues%20today%20at%20Capitol |work=Greeley Tribune |date=March 10, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718180634/http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090310/NEWS/903109989/1008/NONE%26parentprofile%3D1001%26title%3DSpending%20cap%20fight%20continues%20today%20at%20Capitol |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }} where, after surviving an attempted Republican filibuster in the Senate,{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Kosena |title=SSB 228 survives filibuster |url=http://coloradostatesman.com/content/99857-sb-228-survives-filibuster |work=Colorado Statesman |date=March 6, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921160937/http://coloradostatesman.com/content/99857-sb-228-survives-filibuster |archive-date=September 21, 2010 |url-status=dead }} it was ratified, and later signed into law.{{cite news |first=Lynn |last=Bartels |title=Ritter signs bill repealing limit on general-fund growth |url=http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_12511102 |work=Denver Post |date=June 3, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Overhaul of Colorado spending rules signed into law |url=http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/othercities/denver/stories/2009/06/01/daily46.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=June 3, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}} Marostica also broke with other Republicans as the only member of his party to vote in support of a failed effort to repeal Colorado's death penalty; the proposal passed the Colorado House by one vote, but was defeated in the Senate.{{cite news |first=John |last=Ingold |title=Death-penalty repeal passes House by single vote |url=http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_12191008 |work=Denver Post |date=April 21, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}}

Marostica also sponsored bills to allow golf carts, scooters, and small electric vehicles to travel on some public roads,{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Kass |title=Golf carts touted for streets use |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/16/golf-carts-touted-for-streets-use/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=2008-09-05}}{{cite news|first=Peter |last=Marcus |title=Commute in golf carts? |url=http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=1573 |work=The Denver Daily News |date=August 20, 2008 |access-date=2008-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716231240/http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=1573 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}{{cite news |first=David |last=Migoya |title=Bill would require scooter insurance |url=http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11692850 |work=Denver Post |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-10}} to allow state veterans organizations to provide burial for unclaimed remains of Colorado military personnel,{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=Bill regarding military remains now in state Senate |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=21320 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=February 2, 2009 |access-date=2009-07-03}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} and to allow building inspectors from other municipalities to assess structural damage to properties, a proposal stemming from a May 2008 tornado in Windsor, Colorado. to enable increased state funding for online education, and to keep Colorado's tobacco litigation settlement cash fund open for one additional year.{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=Keep tabs on state legislators |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=21719 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-14}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} Marostica announced plans to introduce legislation to expand the definition of cigar bars to increase the number of establishments exempt from Colorado's indoor smoking ban,{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=New bill could allow smoking back in bars |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/21/new-bill-could-allow-smoking-back-bars/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=January 21, 2009 |access-date=2009-02-22}}{{cite news|first=Peter |last=Marcus |title=Lawmaker takes aim at smoking ban |url=http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=3092 |work=Denver Daily News |date=January 23, 2009 |access-date=2009-02-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716231859/http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=3092 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }} but withdrew the legislation after facing opposition from Democrats;{{cite news |first=John |last=Schroyer |title=Smoking bill withdrawn, likely to be back |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill-47967-denver-pulled.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609113927/http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill-47967-denver-pulled.html |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }} that same week, he denounced as "inappropriate and offensive" a British National Health Service flyer distributed by a lobbyist linking smoking to erectile dysfunction, calling for an ethics investigation into the flyer.{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Did smoking flier hit below the belt? |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/13/house-member-offended-ad-left-anti-smoking-activis/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-10}}{{cite news |first=Ernest |last=Luning |title=Marostica: Avert thine eyes from 'obscene' British anti-smoking flyer |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/21585/marostica-avert-thine-eyes-from-obscene-british-anti-smoking-flyer |work=Colorado Independent |date=February 14, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-10}}

In July 2009, Democratic governor Bill Ritter named Marostica, a Republican, to the post of executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, replacing Don Elliman, who Ritter had tapped as Colorado's chief operating officer.{{cite news |first=Lynn |last=Bartels |title=Ritter taps GOP lawmaker for economic post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12899190 |work=Denver Post |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} Marostica resigned his House seat to take the position, and handed control of his development company to his partner and son in order to avoid conflicts of interest,{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Hacker |title=Loveland's growth stalls |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=27315 |work=Loveland Reporter-herald |date=March 16, 2010 |access-date=2010-03-18}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} Marostica named opening Asian markets to Colorado exports as a priority for his time in the new position,{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Ritter picks maverick GOP lawmaker Marostica as Colorado eco-devo chief |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/07/20/daily68.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} in addition to encouraging new venture capital investment and retaining existing major employers despite the late-2000s recession.{{cite news |first=Aldo |last=Svaldi |title=New economic-development chief Marostica will try to get Colorado back on its feet |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13033679 |work=Denver Post |date=August 11, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Aldo |last=Svaldi |title=Colorado economic-development chief has 100-day plan |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13033731 |work=Denver Post |date=August 11, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} Marostica was replaced in the House by small business owner Brian DelGrosso,{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Dailey |title=DelGrosso to fill House District 51 post |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=24429 |work=Loveland Reporter-Herald |date=August 13, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} and on the legislature's Joint Budget Committee by the more conservative Rep. Kent Lambert.{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=News Nuggets: 30 July 2009 |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/34409/news-nuggets-30-july-2009 |work=Colorado Independent |date=July 30, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Hoover |title=Kent Lambert gets mixed reviews on state budget panel |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14485434 |work=Denver Post |date=February 28, 2010 |access-date=2010-03-18}}

During Marostica's first months in the position, he helped lead Colorado's effort to keep Frontier Airlines jobs in Denver following its merger with Republic Airways;{{cite news |first=Ann |last=Schrader |title=Republic deal beats Southwest, keeps Frontier intact |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13063693 |work=Denver Post |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Frontier to become part of Republic Airways |url=http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=101667 |work=Northern Colorado Business Report |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Denver readies incentives to keep Frontier Airlines jobs |url=http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/othercities/denver/stories/2009/09/14/daily54.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=August 16, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} ultimately, Frontier moved several hundred jobs, and Frontier's headquarters, to Wisconsin and Indiana, which offered greater tax and economic incentives.{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Denver losing hundreds of Frontier Airlines jobs to Milwaukee |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/11/09/daily22.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Ann |last=Schrader |title=Denver losing another 140 Frontier jobs |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13956208 |work=Denver Post |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Ann |last=Schrader |title=Republic Airways to move Frontier's headquarters out of Denver |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14196311 |work=Denver Post |date=January 15, 2010 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Harden |author2=Cathy Proctor |author3=Ed Sealover |title=Frontier Airlines management moving to Indianapolis; Menke out |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/01/11/daily67.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=2010-01-16}} When legislators proposed eliminating business tax credits in late 2009 to help balance the states budget, Marostica publicly defended many of those credits,{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Boven |title=Rep. Judd to go after business subsidies, 'wipe out' enterprise zones |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/42997/rep-judd-to-go-after-business-subsidies-%E2%80%98wipe-out%E2%80%99-enterprise-zones |work=Colorado Independent |date=December 10, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103080301/http://coloradoindependent.com/42997/rep-judd-to-go-after-business-subsidies-%e2%80%98wipe-out%e2%80%99-enterprise-zones |archive-date=January 3, 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Hoover |title=Lawmakers hear debate on value of state's tax incentives |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13775651 |work=Denver Post |date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news |first=Aldo |last=Svaldi |title=Official: Fund cuts risk jobs |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13655288 |work=Denver Post |date=October 28, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}} but he did support limited cuts to tax credits in Governor Ritter's proposed 2010–2011 budget.{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Ritter targets tax breaks to fix budget |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/11/13/Ritter_targets_tax_breaks_to_fix_budget/ |work=Durango herald |date=October 13, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122080541/http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/11/13/Ritter%5Ftargets%5Ftax%5Fbreaks%5Fto%5Ffix%5Fbudget/ |archive-date=January 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

In late 2009, Marostica was also involved in attracting a wind turbine parts supplier to Colorado,{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Vestas attracts Danish company to Fort Lupton |url=http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=102128 |work=Northern Colorado Business Report |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16}}{{cite news|author=Staff Report |title=Up to 150 new jobs available in Fort Lupton with Vestas supplier |url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090917/BUSINESS/909169959/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1001 |work=Greeley Tribune |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718180711/http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090917/BUSINESS/909169959/1002/NONE%26parentprofile%3D1001 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }} announcing a renewed emphasis on natural gas development on Colorado's Western Slope,{{cite news |first=Emily |last=Anderson |title=Speaker: Natural gas innovations could be Grand Junction's next legacy in state |url=http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/speaker_natural_gas_innovation |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16 |archive-date=February 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229202438/http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/speaker_natural_gas_innovation |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Protest outside, cheers inside for Ritter at Club 20 |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/09/14/Protest_outside_cheers_inside_for_Ritter_at_Club_20/ |work=Durange Herald |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923144657/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/09/14/Protest%5Foutside%5Fcheers%5Finside%5Ffor%5FRitter%5Fat%5FClub%5F20/ |archive-date=September 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and pushing to speed the permitting process for oil and gas operations.{{cite news |first=Dennis |last=Webb |title=Ritter appointee's job is to cut permit lag time |url=http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/ritter_appointees_job_is_to_cu |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |date=November 8, 2009 |access-date=2010-01-16 |archive-date=February 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212195150/http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/ritter_appointees_job_is_to_cu |url-status=dead }} In 2010, Marostica pushed for additional incentives for the "creative industry," including arts, media, and film, in Colorado.{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Measures aim to boost art economy |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/06/Measures_aim_to_boost_art_economy/ |work=Durango Herald |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=2010-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710160209/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/06/Measures_aim_to_boost_art_economy/ |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Ritter unveils bills to boost arts in Colorado |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/01/04/daily29.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=January 5, 2010 |access-date=2010-01-16}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060615050142/http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/house/members/hou51.htm Colorado General Assembly profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060904025154/http://donmarostica.com/ Campaign website]

{{Colorado State Representatives}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Marostica, Don}}

Category:Members of the Colorado House of Representatives

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Category:Colorado State University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:1948 births

Category:People from Sterling, Colorado

Category:People from Loveland, Colorado

Category:21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly