Cheri was born into a ranching family in Wyoming, but has spent most of her life in Colorado. She attended the University of Colorado at Denver, earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts.
Gerouis a licensed architect. In her career, she has served on the State Licensing Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. Cheri has served as president of both the Denver and Colorado chapters of the American Institute of Architects. She was elected to the College of Fellows of AIA in 2011. She has served on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Professional Development Committee. Additionally, she has served as a national vice president of health care issues for the National Council of State Legislators.
In 2009, Cheri was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, serving House District 25 for six years. During her tenure in the state legislature, Gerou served as chair of the Appropriations Committee and chair of the Joint Budget Committee. Cheri was the first woman in state history to chair the Joint Budget Committee as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.
In the fall of 2015, Gerou accepted a position with the Office of State Architect as Manager of the State Buildings Program. In 2017, she became the Senior Director of Capital Assets for the University of Colorado system. In 2019, Cheri accepted the position as State Architect for the State of Colorado. Gerou is the first woman, in the history of the state, to serve in this position.
Cheri and Phil have two adult children, a daughter-in-law and a new granddaughter. She and her husband live in Evergreen.