Fremont County Commissioner Larry Lasha was named the fifth and final member of the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission on Tuesday.

The panel was established following voter approval of Amendment 41. The measure places limits on gifts given to state officials, government employees and their families.

Among its duties, the five-member commission will provide state and local government officials and employees with advisory opinions on ethics issues.

Lasha, who lives in Florence, is the District 2 County Commissioner and will continue to serve in that capacity. His appointment was possible because he is an Independent and not affiliated with any organized political party.

“The commission consists of five members,” Lasha said this morning. “One each is selected by the Senate, the House, the Governor and the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. In turn, those four members select the fifth member, who has to be non-affiliated.”

Lasha said he submitted an application to Gov. Bill Ritter’s office for the position. Following a telephone interview with panel member Sally Hopper of Golden, he was notified Tuesday of his selection.

“I’m really pleased about being an Independent in the political system,” Lasha said. “It just works for me. When this opportunity came up, I felt it was an opportunity for me to serve and possibly make a difference.”

Lasha will begin his new, part-time duties with his first meeting April 4.

“We will be writing the protocols for Amendment 41,” Lasha said. “I think there are some things I would rather be a voice in than leave up to somebody else to debate.”

Lasha said he looks forward to his new duties, including the opportunity to form actual policies and procedures to meet the needs and expectations of Amendment 41.

“I have yet to meet the commissioners I’ll be serving with, but there are some pretty impressive bios that I’ve been reading,” Lasha said.