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Frances W. Owens became First Lady of Colorado on January 12, 1999. A native of Colorado, she spent much of her childhood in Texas, but returned to Colorado to receive a degree in Art History from the University of Colorado at Denver.

As first lady, Frances volunteered her time to many charitable organizations and projects throughout the State of Colorado, some of which include Anchor Center for the Blind, Developmental Pathways, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child, The Children’s Hospital, the Colorado Historical Society, The Colorado Autism Society, Women’s heart health, Habitat for Humanity, as well as Denver Health’s Newborns is Need. The former first lady chaired the Colorado Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission for Colorado’s quarter which was released in the summer of 2006.

Frances served as Honorary Chair for Early Intervention Awareness Day for eight years. She continues to champion efforts to encourage early intervention for children with developmental disabilities. Frances has been actively involved with literacy and children’s programs throughout Colorado.

For six years, Mrs. Owens oversaw the privately funded long-term project of renovating and restoring the Governor’s Executive Residence which was originally constructed in 1908. Extensive renovations of the carriage house and lower gardens were completed in 2005.

For the past few years, Frances has devoted much of her time supporting various charities and bringing awareness to their cause. In 2007 she chaired Western Fantasy, Volunteers of America’s signature fundraiser. She has also been deeply involved with Key to the Cure, an event supporting Denver Health Medical Center by promoting awareness of women’s cancers, The Mask Project which raises funds for The Denver Hospice, Kemp Center’s annual fundraiser benefiting Colorado’s abused children, and Developmental Pathways Client Achievement Awards

Mrs. Owens is a seasoned veteran of political campaigns, beginning her career campaigning for former U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong in the late 1970’s, as well as serving on Senator Armstrong’s House and Senate staffs. She also served as Associate Director of the Colorado Council on Economic Education.

Mrs. Owens currently serves as Executive VP for Galloway Group, which focuses on forging mutually beneficial partnerships between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

The Owens have three amazing children: Monica (26), Mark (23), and Brett (18).