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Gov. Polis Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments

Government and Politics

June 24, 2024

From: Colorado Governor Jared Polis

Brain Injury Trust Fund Board

The Brain Injury Trust Fund Board shall award and administer grants from the Colorado Brain Injury Trust Fund.

for terms expiring June 30, 2027:

  • James Graham of Fort Collins, Colorado, reappointed;
  • Jamal Long Soldier of Denver, Colorado, reappointed;
  • Maria Martinez of Pueblo, Colorado, appointed.

Child Support Commission

The Child Support Commission reviews the child support guidelines and is required to issue a report every four years to the Governor and the General Assembly of the results of the review of child support guidelines and any recommended statutory changes.

for a term expiring July 1, 2028:

  • Linda Nickels of Denver Colorado, to serve as a representative from the Colorado Bar Association, reappointed.

Colorado Commission on the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind

The Commission shall serve as a liaison between the Deaf, hard of hearing and Deafblind community and the general assembly, Governor, and Colorado departments and agencies.  The Commission shall also assess the needs of the Deaf, hard of hearing and Deafblind community and recommend to the general assembly any legislation that may facilitate and streamline the provision of general governmental services.

for terms expiring July 1, 2028:

  • Rebecca Herr of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as an individual who is late deafened, reappointed;
  • Robin Bradshaw of Littleton, Colorado, to serve as a parent to a deaf or hard of hearing person, reappointed;
  • Jennifer Hills of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a professional working with individuals in the deaf and hard of hearing community, appointed.

Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission

The Energy and Carbon Management Commission’s mission is to regulate the development and production of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources.

for terms expiring July 1, 2028:

  • Jeffery Robbins of Durango, Colorado, to serve as Chair and as a member with professional experience demonstrating an ability to contribute to the commission’s body of expertise that will aid the commission in making sound, balanced decisions, reappointed; 
  • John Messner of Lakewood, Colorado, to serve as a member with substantial experience in planning or land use, reappointed; 
  • Trisha Oeth of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as a member with substantial experience in public health, appointed. 

Colorado Lottery Commission

The Colorado Lottery Commission governs the operation of the lottery and conducts hearings on granting or suspending licenses for lottery sales.

for terms expiring July 1, 2028:

  • Christian Reece of Grand Junction, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the public, appointed. 

Colorado Racing Commission

The Colorado Racing Commission regulates and supervises pari-mutuel wagering (for horses and dogs), including enforcement of rules, supervision of race meets and racing officials, and collection of revenues to the State.

for terms expiring July 1, 2028:

  • John Hammes of Holly, Colorado, a Republican from the Fourth Congressional District, to serve as a representative of the racing industry, appointed; 
  • Jonathan Horowtiz of Parker, Colorado, a Democrat from the Fourth Congressional District, to serve as a representative of the racing industry, appointed. 

Developmental Disabilities Council

The Developmental Disabilities Council is responsible for coordinating services and advocating for persons with developmental disabilities.

for terms expiring July 1, 2027:

  • Bobbi Christensen of Lafayette, Colorado, to serve as a person with developmental disabilities, appointed;
  • Nicholas Gagner of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a family member of a child with developmental disabilities, appointed;
  • Briana Anthony of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a family member of a child with developmental disabilities, appointed;
  • Jose Torres-Vega of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a person with developmental disabilities, appointed;
  • Dina Johnson of Broomfield, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities, reappointed;
  • Megan Bowser of Littleton, Colorado, to serve as a representative of an NGO concerned with services for people with developmental disabilities, appointed.

Early Childhood Leadership Commission

The Early Childhood Leadership Commission was formed to promote the coordination of policies and procedures that affect the health and well-being of Colorado children.  A bipartisan public-private partnership of state leaders and decision makers, the Commission seeks to improve outcomes for young children ages birth to eight and their families by advancing the alignment, coordination and efficiency of programs and services.

for a term expiring July 1, 2026:

  • Allegra “Happy” Haynes of Denver, Colorado, to serve as co-chair, appointed;

for terms expiring July 1, 2027:

  • Michael Cooke of Englewood, Colorado, to represent business and serve as a co-chair, appointed;
  • Rosemarie Allen of Denver, Colorado, to represent higher education, appointed;
  • Angela Shehorn of Canon City, Colorado, to represent early childhood councils, appointed;
  • Shelley Smith of Eagle, Colorado, to represent local school districts, appointed;
  • Jake Williams of Fort Collins, Colorado, to represent public health, reappointed;
  • Jasmin Ramirez of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to represent consumers of early childhood support services, reappointed.

Employee Ownership Commission

The Colorado Employee Ownership Office establishes a network of technical support and service providers for businesses considering employee ownership models. The commission consists of experts who are invested in helping Colorado become a leader for employee ownership.

for terms expiring June 15, 2028:

  • Yessica Holguin of Denver, Colorado, reappointed;
  • Julia Martins Rodrigues of Boulder, Colorado, appointed. 

Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board

The role and mission of the institute is to conduct or fund research related to cannabis and publicly disseminate the results of the research. The Governing Board is tasked with overseeing the institute and approving its annual budget. The governing board shall advise any Colorado institution of higher education that is developing a cannabis-related curriculum and provide input to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education before it approves any cannabis related degrees or certifications.

for a term expiring August 5, 2027:

  • Michael Hennesy of Lafayette, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the cannabis industry, occasioned by the resignation of Salvatore Pace of Pueblo, Colorado, appointed.

Interagency Coordinating Council

The State Interagency Coordinating Council advises the Colorado Department of Human Services on implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004.  Part C of the Act, relates to the support and services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

for a term expiring June 30, 2025:

  • Barbara Luton-Jalo of Grand Lake, Colorado, to serve as a parent of a child with disabilities, occasioned by the resignation of Julia Allison of Littleton, Colorado, appointed;

for terms expiring June 30, 2026:

  • Jennifer Smith of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a Head Start Agency, reappointed;
  • Jennifer Cutts of Grand Junction, Colorado, to serve as a representative of providers of early intervention services, reappointed;
  • Amanda Ferigan of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, to serve as a parent of a child with disabilities, appointed;
  • Hilary Stempel of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a parent of a child with disabilities, appointed;
  • Kara Downing of Lamar, Colorado, to serve as a parent of a child with disabilities, appointed;
  • Lisa Hertz of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a parent of a child with disabilities, appointed.

Public Guardianship Commission

The Office of Public Guardianship will provide guardianship services to indigent and incapacitated adults who:  have no responsible family members or friends who are available and appropriate to serve as a guardian; lack adequate resources to compensate a private guardian and pay the costs associated with an appointment proceeding; and are not subject to a petition for appointment or guardian filed by a county adult protective services unit or otherwise authorized by law; and to gather data to help the General Assembly determine the for, and the feasibility of, a statewide office of Public Guardianship.

for a term expiring August 1, 2027:

  • Roseanne Collison of Aurora, Colorado, to represent the Sixth Congressional District and serve as a member with a family member who is an at-risk adult, occasioned by the resignation of Jeffrey Bird of Severance, Colorado appointed.

State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners

The State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners adopts rules and regulations, conducts examinations and grants or denies licenses. 

for a term expiring August 31, 2024:

  • Richard Cohan of Windsor, Colorado, to serve as a public member occasioned by the resignation of Richard Glover of Boulder, Colorado, appointed;

for terms expiring August 31, 2028:

  • Laura Gutierrez, LPC of Lakewood, Colorado, to serve as a professional member, appointed;
  • Andrew Harris, MA, LPC, ADDC, NCC of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a professional member, appointed;
  • Jennifer Luttman , LPC, ACS of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a professional member, reappointed.

State Board of Nursing

The State Board of Nursing examines and licenses registered and practical nurses.  It approves nursing programs and standards, and investigates complaints filed against nurses.

for a term expiring July 1, 2028:

  • Jessica Pettigrew of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a certified midwife, appointed.

State Board of Real Estate Appraisers 

The Board of Real Estate Appraisers meets monthly to conduct rulemaking hearings, make policy decisions, consider licensing matters, review complaints and take disciplinary action against real estate appraisers. It is a board of seven members, appointed by the governor.

for terms expiring July 1, 2027:  

  • Darius Wise of Aurora, Colorado, to serve as an officer or employee of a commercial banking experience in real estate lending, appointed; 
  • Clinton Taylor of Lakewood, Colorado, to serve as a representative of real estate appraisers with experience in appraisal management, reappointed.

State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council

The State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council advises the Department of Public Health and Environment on matters relating to emergency medical and trauma services programs.  The Council’s duties include developing curricula for the training of emergency medical personnel, establishing requirements for ambulance vehicles and services, and determining the eligibility of facilities to receive trauma center designation.

for a term expiring July 1, 2025:

  • Michael Hassell of Holyoke, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a rural trauma center, occasioned by the resignation of Kelly Gallegos of Alamosa, Colorado, appointed;

for terms expiring July 1, 2026:

  • Scott Weaver of Wray, Colorado, to serve as a county commissioner from a rural county, occasioned by the resignation of Etta Jean Sykes of McClave, Colorado, appointed;
  • Lynn Thompson of Center, Colorado, to serve as a county commissioner from a rural county, occasioned by the passing of Sean Wood of Evergreen, Colorado, appointed;
  • Tyler Vaughn of Loveland, Colorado, to serve as a board certified emergency physician, occasioned by the resignation of Jeremy DeWall of Woodland Park, Colorado, appointed.