Former congresswoman Betsy Markey, a Democratic candidate for Colorado’s Treasurer, said Tuesday the Treasurer’s Office needs to demonstrate more transparency and innovation.

Markey is challenging incumbent Walker Stapleton, a Republican.

She said Stapleton is spending too much time challenging Colorado’s public retirement system and not enough time making the Treasurer’s Office more innovative.

“I don’t see that coming out of the Treasurer’s Office right now,” she said in an interview with The Durango Herald’s editorial board.

Markey, of Fort Collins, was elected in 2008 to represent eastern Colorado in Congress. She was defeated in 2010 by Republican Cory Gardner.

(Gardner now is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Mark Udall).

“I came in on a wave, I came out on a wave,” she said. “That’s how it goes.”

Markey said she has no designs on higher office.

The Treasurer’s Office has often been a stepping-stone to governor in Colorado history.

“I think the (treasurer) job is fascinating,” she said.

Markey also has served as assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs in the Department of Homeland Security.

In that job, she worked with local mayors, governors and other elected officials on immigration issues and federal disaster assistance.

She returned to Colorado after two years in Washington, D.C.

Markey and her husband, Jim, in the late 1980s founded Syscom Services, an early email provider and website developer.

She also ran a Fort Collins ice cream and coffee shop for several years before selling the business.

Colorado currently has no women in statewide elected office. Cynthia Coffman, a Republican, is running for attorney general.

Markey is one of only four congresswomen in Colorado history.

On diversity, Markey said, “I think we certainly have a way to go.”

Markey also had a meet-and-greet event Tuesday at the Rochester Hotel.

She is scheduled to appear from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pagosa Baking Co. in Pagosa Springs.

cslothower@durangoherald.com