Gillit considers run for Legislature

Englewood Council Member Rick Gillit said he’s thinking about tossing his hat into the ring as a candidate in state House District 38.

He made the comment after his name was mentioned as a potential Republican challenger to state Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, in the November election.

“I am tentatively considering running for the state Legislature but, right now, everything is in the very early discussion stages,” he said. “A lot will happen in coming months that will help me decide if I will declare myself a candidate for the state house of representatives.”

In November, Gillit was elected to the Englewood City Council as the District 4 representative. It was the first time he had sought elected office.

Gillit was born in the city of Rosenheim, Austria, was in an orphanage until he was 3 1/2 years old until his mother married an American soldier and the couple eventually came to the United States and he became a naturalized citizen.

He finished high school in Fort Riley, Kan., and then joined the Air Force, where he met his future wife Rhonda.

He served a total of eight years in the service, working on avionics equipment on a variety of aircraft before returning to Englewood. He owns his own mortgage and real estate company and is a consultant to manufacturing companies.

Rice is serving his second full term representing state house District 38, which includes all or part of the cities of Englewood, Littleton and Greenwood Village and the towns of Bow Mar and Columbine Valley.

He served as mayor of Glendale from 1996 to 2003 and has served 23 years in the Army Reserve. He holds the rank of colonel and recently returned from his third tour in Iraq. In civilian life, he has served as a customer service supervisor, manager and trainer for several companies.