Serving District 5

Bill L. Holen represents District 5, which includes the City of Glendale and portions of the City of Aurora. He was first appointed commissioner in January 2012, elected to his first term as commissioner in January 2013, and sworn into his third term Jan. 11, 2021. His term expires January 2025. He served as Finance Officer in 2018 and 2022, as Chair Pro Tem in 2020, and is currently serving as Finance Officer in 2023.

As commissioner, Bill is the internal liaison for the Community Resources and Facilities and Fleet Management departments. 

Representation

Holen represents Arapahoe County on a variety of local and regional issues, including the:

• Arapahoe County Transportation Forum
• Arapahoe County Regional Opioid Abatement Council
• Aurora Chamber Board of Directors
• Aurora Economic Development Council
• Arapahoe County Board of Social Services
• CCI: Transportation and Telecommunications
• Canal Collaborative
• (Alternate) Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
• E-470 Highway Authority
• Housing Authority
• Metro Area County Commissioners (MACC)
• NACo: Veterans and Military Services Committee
• Public Airport Authority - Centennial Airport
• Arapahoe County Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors
• Capital Improvements Project Team

Goals

Bill’s goal as Commissioner is to ensure the County’s fiscal situation is managed efficiently and effectively and that taxpayer dollars are being fairly dispersed. He aims to maintain a high level of service for Arapahoe County citizens and to improve collaborative efforts with cities, counties, and state and federal governments, so that public resources are properly used.

Background

Prior to serving as commissioner, Bill worked as a Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Ed Perlmutter with a focus on national security, defense and veterans’ affairs. He also worked as Manager of Marketing Services for the United Airlines Service Co., and was a staff member for former U.S. Senator Gary Hart. Bill served as a citizen on the County’s Fairgrounds and Regional Park Steering Committee. Bill is a Vietnam Army veteran and a former member of the Colorado Air National Guard. He lives in Aurora with his wife, Debi. He has one son, Jon.

Government Experience

• Arapahoe County Commissioner, District 5 (2012, 2013–2016, 2017–2021, 2021-); Chair Pro Tem (2014), Finance Officer (2018, 2013, 2022 and 2023)
• Colorado Bipartisan Military Post-Traumatic Stress Task Force, Chair (2013)
• Denver Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors
• Constituent Services Representative to U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter (2007–2012)
• Staff Assistant to U.S. Senator Gary Hart (1975–1986)
• NASA’s Space Station Industrial Use Taskforce (1987)
• Colorado Board of Veterans’ Affairs (1981–1984)
• Denver Regional Council of Governments Transportation Advisory Board (1978–1984)

Community Involvement

• Goodwill Ambassador to United States Air Force 460th Space Wing Space Command Commander’s Group
• Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network Board of Directors
• Developmental Pathways Board of Directors
• Aurora Chamber of Commerce Defense Council
• Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners Board of Directors
• Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion
• Member of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado

Education/Professional Experience

• Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, University of Minnesota
• Staff in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives (1975–2012)
• U.S. Army (1966–1969); Served in Vietnam (1967–1968)
• Colorado Air National Guard (1981–1991)
• Marketing Manager, United Airlines Services Co. (1986–1990)
• U.S. Army War College, Nations Security Seminar (2009)