C.R.S. § 2-3-104

The state auditor shall be paid a salary to be determined by the executive committee, as provided in section 2-3-303 (3). The state auditor, with the approval of the committee, may appoint such additional professional, technical, clerical, or other employees or contract for such services necessary to perform the functions assigned to the state auditor. No more than three members of the staff of the state auditor shall be exempt from the state personnel system.