 Hillman was elected to leadership posts for five of his seven years in the Senate, including both Majority Leader and Minority Leader.Hillman's leadership earned him National Legislator of the Year honors from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), "Taxpayer Champion" from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, and numerous other awards in Colorado, including recognition from the Colorado Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Colorado Civil Justice League, and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.Appointed as Colorado's State Treasurer in June 2005 by Governor Bill Owens, Hillman served as the state's chief financial officer and guardian of the taxpayer, ensuring that public funds entrusted to the state were managed safely and effectively in the best interests of Coloradans.