Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

DENVER (AP) -- Gov. Bill Ritter will take a job at a new center at Colorado State University focusing on new energy after leaving office.

Ritter announced Wednesday that he'll become director of the Center for the New Energy Economy, focusing on an issue that he championed during his time as governor. He'll also be named senior scholar within the university's School of Global Environmental Sustainability.

CSU said Ritter will earn $300,000 a year which will be paid for with donations funding the new center.

The center is being funded by the San Francisco-based Energy Foundation and the Bohemian Foundation, a Fort Collins group started by Pat Stryker, a prominent Democratic donor.

Ritter leaves office Tuesday.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)