Rob Witwer

{{short description|American politician}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Rob Witwer

| image = Colorado-Rep-Rob-Witwer.jpg

| caption = Witwer in 2008

| state_house = Colorado

| district = 25th

| term_start = January 2005

| term_end = January 2009

| predecessor = John Witwer

| successor = Cheri Gerou

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|2|2}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Republican

| spouse = Heather Witwer

| alma_mater = Amherst College
University of Chicago

}}

Rob Witwer (born February 2, 1971) is a Colorado politician, lawyer, and former Republican member of the Colorado House of Representatives. In the State House, Witwer represented House District 25,[http://comaps.org/district25h.html District 25] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211101407/http://comaps.org/district25h.html |date=February 11, 2009 }} at Colorado Interactive Maps and Demographic Data. which encompasses most of western Jefferson County, Colorado including Evergreen, Colorado and Conifer, Colorado.

Witwer was appointed"[http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/06/06/daily55.html Witwer takes father's place in House]", Denver Business Journal, June 9, 2005 (accessed February 2, 2008). to the Colorado General Assembly in 2005 by vacancy committee and won the general election in 2006 by defeating Democrat Mike Daniels with 56.6% of the popular vote.[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20081107091928/http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/electionresults/CO-RC-969.htm Election results] from the Colorado Secretary of State.

Witwer sponsored legislation to improve public access to hiking trails by extending legal liability protection to landowners who allow public access to their land.Kyle Henley, "[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20060309/ai_n16146671+owens+signs+bill+to+let+climbers+on+14ers Owens signs bill to let climbers on 14ers, to protect landowners]", The Colorado Springs Gazette, March 9, 2006 (accessed February 2, 2008). Along with State Senator Josh Penry, he has pushed for legislation to raise graduation standards for Colorado high school students,Jennifer Brown, "[http://www.denverpost.com/education/ci_7088389 Class action on graduation]", The Denver Post, October 5, 2007 (accessed February 2, 2008). especially in the areas of math and science.Josh Penry and Rob Witwer, "[http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/denver/speakout/2007/03/math_science_ed_is_vital.html Math, science ed is vital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127053634/http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/denver/speakout/2007/03/math_science_ed_is_vital.html |date=November 27, 2007 }}", The Rocky Mountain News, March 3, 2007 (accessed February 2, 2008). He has also been outspoken against legislative efforts to freeze mill levies on Colorado property owners, arguing that this policy amounts to a property tax increase.Jennifer Brown, "[http://www.denverpost.com/localpolitics/ci_6896533 GOP aims to cap Ritter's tax freeze] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013220332/http://www.denverpost.com/localpolitics/ci_6896533 |date=October 13, 2007 }}", The Denver Post, September 14, 2007 (accessed February 2, 2008).

The Rocky Mountain News has called Witwer, Josh Penry, Cory Gardner and Matt Knoedler the "Rock Stars" of the Colorado GOP,Lynn Bartels, "[http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_4408432,00.html GOP has faith in its young 'rock stars']", The Rocky Mountain News, January 23, 2006 (accessed February 2, 2008). and National Journal named him one of its "stars to watch in the future"."[http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2005/12/the_futures_mar_4.html The Futures Market: Colorado] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930200835/http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2005/12/the_futures_mar_4.html |date=September 30, 2007 }}", The Hotline, December 19, 2005 (accessed February 2, 2008).

Witwer announced that he would not seek re-election in 2008. Witwer served as Campaign Manager for his successor, Representative Cheri Gerou. Witwer says he is likely to return to public service after he has more time to spare from raising his four young sons.

Witwer is a graduate of Amherst College (1993) and the University of Chicago Law School (1996).