[2][3] His parents divorced when he was eight years old; he and his two siblings were raised by their mother, who worked as a survey engineer among other jobs.
[2] After graduating from high school Ramirez enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1988.
He worked for several years in management positions in Texas then, moved to Arvada, Colorado.
Before beginning his legislative career, he managed a Denver-based uniform supply company.
[5] In the 2012 general election, Representative Ramirez faced Democratic challenger Tracy Kraft-Tharp.