State Steward - Racing Events Division

Full Job Description

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS BEING EXTENED AND WILL NOW CLOSE ON JANUARY 15, 2026. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY APPLIED THEIR IS NO NEED TO RE-APPLY.

The mission of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) is to become a trusted partner to every Coloradan to help them navigate the complexities of government so they can thrive. We are driven by our values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect.

The vision of the department is to empower businesses and individuals through quality customer service, innovation, and collaboration.

We celebrate diversity and support an equitable and inclusive culture. We embrace our differences because we believe this brings innovation to our work.

For more exciting information about the Department of Revenue, please enjoy this brief video!

Requirements

This position of Chief Steward (Program Management I) is located in the Division of Racing, Lakewood Office - 1707 Cole Blvd, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80401 and will also be required to work as needed at the Division's Arapahoe Park and off-track facility located at 26000 E.

Quincy Ave., Aurora, CO 80016.

This position monitors all activities related to running of a horse race, including proper entry of horses in the races, judging the race itself, inquiries and objections and determining the correct order of finish.

Conduct hearings and writes orders for regulatory violations, jockey violations, medication violations and other violations of laws and rules for all licensees.

Approves horse ownerships, transfers, and claims.

Works as the State Steward and in conjunction with other Stewards, (HISA) Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority, and (HIWU) Horseracing Integrity & Welfare unit as is subject to the HISA established rules.

Monitors, judges, and reviews all races

• Observes live races to determine facts, responds to concerning questions, complaints, protests, inquiries, and objections.
• Reviews video replay of live horse races with jockeys, horsemen and the public
• Monitors jockeys during live races for violations incurred during the race.
• Observes the start of each live race for gate malfunctions or any other interference.

Serves as a member of the Board of Stewards for hearings, orders, and licensing

• Serves as a member of the Board of Stewards for medication violation hearings and other rule violations.
• Maintain, administer, and grades trainer and assistant trainer exams. Distribute and approve or decline first time exercise rider and pony person forms.
• Signs orders for investigations, citations, and search authorizations.
• Works with fellow Stewards and division staff to schedule administrative hearings and other administrative and/or criminal proceedings when necessary.
• Gather, understand, explain and interpret all necessary paperwork and forms required by HISA, HIWU and Colorado regulations for licensees.

Liaison

Proofs programs for eligibility of horses and orders scratches when necessary

• Reviews daily racing program for eligibility, weights, medication, equipment, claiming rules, ownership, workouts, first-time starters, sex, etc.
• Request biological sample collection and testing for live racing and out of competition testing.

Projects to update policies, procedures, or other action items specific to the Chief Steward position.

The Steward provides ongoing analysis, technical expertise, development, and decision-making relative to processes critical to the operations, programs, and policies of the Division of Racing Events.

The Steward researches, analyzes, reports on, and makes recommendations regarding Division-wide impact and implementation of legislation and rules both in Colorado and federally.

Review, analyze and make recommendations related to amendments of rules and regulations of the Colorado Racing Division and HISA.

Draft and make edits to protocols and recommended rule changes as needed.

This position must be accredited through the (ROAP) Racing Officials Accreditation Program.

Aids in the training temporary staff as well as others in the performance of their duties.

Qualifications

Residency Requirement:

This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete.

If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado at their own expense. The timeframe for relocation is based on DOR needs and is typically between 30 and 60 days after an offer has been accepted.

For information about living in Colorado visit the Choose Colorado Website:
https://choosecolorado.com/living/cost-of-living/

Class Code & Classification Description:

H1A2XX - PROGRAM MANAGEMENT I

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience Only:

Eight (8) years of experience in the pari-mutuel horse racing industry as a licensed trainer or jockey, who has the knowledge, ability and integrity of pari-mutuel racing. Two (2) of those years would be with Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA);

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Political Science and Government, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Business Administration, Economics or experience in the pari-mutuel horse racing industry as a licensed trainer or jockey, who has the knowledge, ability and integrity of pari-mutuel racing.

Two (2) of those years would be with Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) equal to eight (8) years.

NOTE: If submitting a transcript, certification or other relevant materials, candidates may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Special Qualifications:

• Must be accredited, or in the process of being accredited with the Racing Official Accreditation Program (ROAP) as it pertains to the Steward Racing Official.
• Applicants must be willing and able to travel in and out of state as required.
• Applicants must be willing to work nights, rotating shifts, weekends with on-call status, and holidays.
• Must possess and maintain a Colorado driver's license. (Be sure to include your driver's license number on your application).
• Must be able to perform required physical duties including but not limited to ascending stairs to rooftop work location.
• If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado at their own expense. The timeframe for relocation is based on DOR needs and is typically between 30 and 60 days after an offer has been accepted.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Experience in state racing regulations.
• Extensive experience as a lead worker.
• Proven experience in providing high-quality customer service.
• Ability to plan and organize.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
• Decision-making ability to make numerous immediate, sound decisions on a routine basis and under extreme stress, often without assistance of another. Includes ability to properly interpret and act on verbal orders and written policies with little or no supervision.
• Ability to evaluate and analyze information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action.
• Ability to complete reports to describe in a clear, accurate, concise manner, all relevant case activity and developments.

Conditions of Employment with the CDOR:

Employees are in a position of public trust in the performance of their job duties and must operate in a manner that maintains the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and public confidence.

As a condition of employment with the CDOR, all personnel must file all necessary Colorado Individual Income Tax (CIIT) returns and pay tax obligations, therefore all employees must undergo a pre-employment evaluation of their tax records/accounts to ensure compliance with this policy.

Final candidates must also complete a successful background investigation and reference check prior to appointment. Certain positions based on duties may require scheduled background investigations.

Pursuant to the Universal Driving Standards Policy, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle.

To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:

• Have an assigned State fleet vehicle

• Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position

• Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

Minimum Qualification Screening

A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application, to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying.

Only complete applications submitted before the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed.

• Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.

• Cover letters and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

• Recommended attachments: Resume, Cover letter

• List your employment history starting with the most recent job, including part-time, temporary, and volunteer jobs. If more than one job was held with a given organization, list each job held as a separate period of employment.

• Information must be accurate, including dates of employment. If it is found that information provided is falsified, you will not be considered for a job with the State of Colorado and/or may be removed from a job after hire.

• The eligible list established from this posting may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Email Address:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email.

Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

APPEAL RIGHTS

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative.

This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Additional Information

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Compliance

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Revenue is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA inbox, dor_ohr@state.co.us.

We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds and abilities to apply.

If not applying online, submit application to:

If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application(Download PDF reader).

Paper applications must be received via email to dor_ohr@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.

Methods of Appointment:

Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason.

Step Pay Program:

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program, any former or current State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification's pay range based on completed years in their current class series.