Laura Solano has formally retired as executive director of the Colorado Lottery, state officials announced Wednesday.

She'd been on administrative leave from the job for months -- and was not expected to return -- but Department of Revenue officials announced her formal departure this week.

The acting director of the state lottery is Brendon Reese.

Solano was named director of the lottery in 2014. Before being appointed to that job, the Pueblo native was the business manager at McClelland Childrens Foundation and a former vice president at Pueblo Community College. Prior to that, she'd held multiple positions at the Colorado State Fair.

"She really did a terrific job; I was there," said Puebloan Dennis Maes, retired Pueblo District Court chief judge and chairman of the Colorado Lottery Commission. "It was an honor and privilege to work with Laura as a member of the Colorado Lottery Commission. She was a tremendous steward of the trust placed in her by the Colorado public and handled her responsibilities in a highly professional, ethical and diligent manner. Her exemplary leadership and loyalty to the citizens of Colorado will be sadly missed."

In announcing Solano's retirement, Maes and other officials credited her with being director during the period when the lottery hit important milestones, including converting to a new gaming vendor.

Late last year, Solano was put on administrative leave, along with Deputy Director Jane Biglin. Revenue officials said they were reviewing their performance.

http://www.montrosepress.com/national/news/puebloan-solano-retires-from-colorado-lottery-director-post/article_d76291ad-26f8-5b0e-84ce-614de8262de7.html