Denver native Donald J. Mares was elected Denver's 23rd Auditor in 1995, and re-elected in May 1999. The first Hispanic ever elected Denver Auditor, Don Mares was also the first Auditor elected to a second term in 24 years. Auditor Mares was determined to change the way Denver does business. Thinking "out of the box" to streamline Denver's future was the goal he set for his tenure in office. During his first term, Auditor Mares created an Internet homepage for the city to provide valuable information to the citizens of Denver. He accomplished this within the first 30 days of his administration. Auditor Mares also implemented the Electronic Funds Transfer for Family Support Registry garnishments program. Through the efforts of Auditor Mares, Lockheed Martin and Certisoft Solutions, Family Support Registry garnishments were begun to be made electronically.
Auditor Mares continued to make strides in the technological area through his oversight of ASPEN, the City's new accounting and financial reporting system with the implementation of the PeopleSoft financial and human resource software.
A Denver native, Auditor Don Mares graduated from Regis High School. He completed his undergraduate work at Stanford University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was awarded his Juris Doctorate degree in 1982.
Don Mares began his legal career as a clerk for Federal Judge William Doyle of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Following his clerkship, he was associated with a law firm engaged in the practice of labor and employment law. He later started his own firm with his wife, Denver attorney Ruth Schley Mares. In 1988, Mr. Mares was elected State Representative from northwest Denver. He became a State Senator in 1991, upon appointment to a vacant term, and was subsequently elected.
Don and Ruth Mares continue to reside on the north side of Sloan's Lake in northwest Denver with their three children, Melissa, D.J., and Emily. Mr. Mares is an attorney in a Denver firm.