Info Cynthia Coffman is a dedicated public servant, attorney and leader. Her legal career began 22 years ago in the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. As a courtroom attorney, Cynthia defended the state’s juvenile justice system and public health department. A few years later, the opportunity to work as a lawyer for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta turned into a life-changing experience. Following her initial assignment in Finance & Management Services, Cynthia went on to work in risk management during the Games. On July 27, 1996, a domestic terrorist detonated pipe bombs in Olympic Park during a celebratory concert. One innocent spectator was killed and scores more were badly injured. Cynthia acted as the primary liaison with the victims and their families demonstrating her compassion and resolve to fight for justice. In 1997, on a post-Olympics visit to the Rocky Mountains, Cynthia decided to pursue her dream of moving to Colorado. She has been a proud and happy resident of the Centennial State for the last fifteen years.
Cynthia’s first job in Denver was working for the Colorado General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Council. She staffed the Senate Judiciary Committee and assisted with a study of the state’s adult parole system. After a brief time in private practice, Cynthia was recruited by Jane Norton to join her senior management team at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Cynthia served first as the agency’s Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs and later as its Deputy Executive Director. She gained extensive experience with environmental issues related to air and water quality, hazardous waste regulation, and environmental health. On the public health side of the house, Cynthia worked on statewide bioterrorism and emergency planning efforts, disease control and prevention, maternal and child health programs, and hospital and health facility regulation.
In 2004, Cynthia moved to the State Capitol, where she had the honor of serving Colorado Governor Bill Owens as his Chief Counsel. Then, in March of 2005, newly- appointed Attorney General John Suthers selected Cynthia as his Chief Deputy. She has proudly filled this role for the past 8 ½ years, acting as chief of staff and chief operating officer for the largest law firm in the State of Colorado.
Cynthia also serves as vice chairman of the Safe2Tell™ board of directors. Safe2Tell™ is a nonprofit organization providing students in all Colorado schools with the ability to prevent and report violence by making anonymous calls, web and text reports. She currently is a member of the Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Commission on the Legal Profession. In September 2012, Colorado Law Week recognized Cynthia’s accomplishments by naming her as the Best Public Sector Lawyer.
A native Missourian, Cynthia graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She worked in development for children’s hospitals and pediatric research for several years before completing law school at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Cynthia is married to Colorado U.S. Representative Mike Coffman.