The soon-to-be term-limited treasurer of Jefferson County is running to become Colorado's next state treasurer in 2026, but it's expected to be a crowded race. He's already facing two fellow Democrats — State Representative Brianna Titone and former El Paso County party chair John Mikos — with more challengers likely on the way.
DiTullio launched his campaign back in 2023, but when Titone threw her hat into the ring in February, she was lauded as the first "serious contender" and "major candidate" in the race. She's one of Colorado's better-known political figures thanks in part to her trailblazer status; Titone is the state's first openly transgender legislator and would be the first trans person in the country elected to statewide executive office if she becomes treasurer.
DiTullio is no local celebrity. His election wouldn't break any barriers. But that does not disqualify him from the job, he says. On the contrary, he argues he is the only person in the race who is equipped to hold the office.
"I'm the only acting treasurer of the current candidates. I'm the only qualified candidate with the background and experience to really hit the ground running after I get elected," DiTullio says. "I'm not running to get the next job or to pad my resume. And I'm not running as an activist or to make a political point. I'm running to represent Colorado citizens and taxpayers.”
DiTullio is a Colorado native, born in north Denver and currently living in Wheat Ridge. Before becoming Jefferson County treasurer in 2018, he worked as a special education teacher; his employment history also includes being a banker, owning a software consulting company and owning a coffee shop. He holds master's degrees in business administration and education, as well as a bachelor's degree in computer science and management.
He has been in local elected office for thirty years, serving as the treasurer of Wheat Ridge from 2015 to 2018, the mayor of Wheat Ridge from 2005 to 2013, and a city council member from 1995 to 2005 and from 2013 to 2015.
As county treasurer, DiTullio is responsible for collecting and distributing property tax revenue and fees, and investing unspent county funds. He touts one of his biggest accomplishments as earning over $30 million from his investments in 2024, which he says beat the county's previous $18 million record set in 2001.
DiTullio also celebrates establishing a monthly reporting system for the county treasurer's office to improve transparency and accessibility for the public. He wants to expand that mindset statewide.
"That's why I decided to run [for county treasurer], to increase that transparency at the county. I'm going to do the same thing at the state," DiTullio says. "I answer every email, I answer every phone call, I answer every text, whether they're mad at me or not. I want to bring that mentality to the state."
If elected state treasurer, DiTullio's biggest plan is to advocate for the creation of a state bank, following the model of the only state-owned bank in the country in North Dakota. He says it would improve access to financial resources for rural and agricultural areas, as well as low-interest loans for students and homebuyers. That plan would have to be approved by the state legislature.
DiTullio has worked with the statehouse before; he's advocated for successful policies to expand tax exemptions for seniors and veterans and says his office was a "driving force" behind COVID-era legislation allowing counties to temporarily waive late interest for property taxes.
But this year, a bill he backed seeking to allow property owners to pay taxes in four installments instead of two was rejected by legislators.
"We need to start looking at what benefits the taxpayer, not necessarily the government," he says, noting that opponents of the bill argued the change would be too costly to implement.
Jerry DiTullio (second to the right) poses with Governor Jared Polis and state legislators during the signing of Senate Bill 21-279, Delinquent Interest Payments Property Tax.
Courtesy Jerry DiTullio
DiTullio is hopeful that won't be a barrier for him.
"The treasurer is not a policy-making position. It's not a figurehead position," he says. "If a state legislator runs for this position, they're there to spend as much money as they can and make as many laws as they can. ...A treasurer is managing and protecting and investing taxpayer money. That's a knack that you just can't walk into.
“I believe everybody is equal, everybody has a fair shot. My fair shot is I have the background."
