DENVER -- It is not exactly the type of cause you would expect a former Peace Corps volunteer and Catholic missionary to champion.

"I don't know that I would've come in choosing this, starting a fund for the mansion," said Colorado's First Lady, Jeannie Ritter.

Ritter's life of service has always been about leveling the playing field and her latest undertaking is no exception.

"That's a responsibility of mine, of this administration, to say, 'Get in here and be a part of it'," she said.

Ritter said former First Lady Frances Owens passed the baton after spearheading huge renovations at the mansion.

"Frances Owens told me, 'Oh by the way, you'll have the 100th anniversary of the mansion,' and it caught me off guard. But the timing couldn't have been better," she said.

Ritter dubbed the mansion "Colorado's Home" and set about an ambitious, centennial fundraising effort to make the landmark property a centerpiece of civic life.

"Young people especially, I have to admit I have a heart for young people, to understand the civic connection between this rambling mansion and what happens in Colorado in terms of policy and vision for our state," she said.

"It's for future administrations, future generations, and we're very, very excited," said Jean Galloway, president of the Governor's Mansion Preservation Fund.

Galloway is heading up the effort to raise $10 million in 10 years to secure the mansion's future.

"The fund's purpose is really to raise money to enable us to carry on the sort of statewide, all-inclusive bipartisan activity that we want to emanate from this wonderful residence," said Galloway.

"We jumped at the chance of representing our industry -- construction -- for Colorado. A company that cared enough and is committed enough and the idea of preserving it, we just wanted to be a part of it," said president and chief executive officer of Saunders Construction, John Beeble.

Beeble said Saunders Construction has signed on as a founding partner of the fund, pledging $100,000.

The company hopes to inspire other companies across the state to do the same.

"This is not something for just a few," said Beeble.

"When we speak of inclusiveness, we want to give all Coloradans an opportunity to contribute," said Galloway.

Those contributions, in part, will cover increasing demands on the aging gem, which is now being used and seen by more people than ever before.

"There should be no economic boundaries. We're embracing diversity. The programs are still evolving," said Galloway.

The fund is a charitable cause that the First Lady hopes will benefit the entire state. She said she is working to inspire young people, connect all Coloradoans and preserve a piece of the state's proud history.

"Oh, it's an exciting thing to be a part of. It's a part of my own children's history," Ritter said.

For more information on the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund, go to Colorado's Home.