Gov. Polis Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments

Monday, September 19, 2022

America 250-Colorado 150 Commission

The America 250 - Colorado 150 commission is created in History Colorado to develop programs and plan for the official observance across Colorado of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the founding of the United States, as marked by the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the sesquicentennial anniversary of Colorado statehood.

for terms expiring at the pleasure of the Governor:

  • Richard Monfort of Greeley, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the Colorado philanthropic community, appointed; 

  • John “Jay” Seaton of Grand Junction, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the Colorado business community, appointed; 

  • Nathan Richie of Arvada, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a local historical society or museum, appointed; 

  • Hon. Judge Gary M. Jackson of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a member with experience in the study and documentation of Black communities in Colorado, appointed; 

  • Ramona Martinez of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a member with experience in the study and documentation of Latino communities in Colorado, appointed; 

  • Linda Yip of Greenwood Village, Colorado, to serve as a member with experience in the study and documentation of Asian American communities in Colorado, appointed. 

Charter School Institute Board

The mission of the Institute Board shall be to foster high-quality public school choices offered through institute charter schools, particularly schools for at-risk students.

for a term expiring July 1, 2024:

  • Deborah Hendrix of Colorado Springs, Colorado, representing board and public service experience, occasioned by the resignation of Tamara Olson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, appointed.

Coal Mine Board of Examiners

The Coal Mine Board of Examiners prepares and conducts examinations for all applicants to positions in coal mines that require certification under federal law.  The Board issues certificates of competency to those who qualify.  The Board also provides assistance in developing curricula for coal miner training programs.

for a term expiring July 1, 2026:

  • Geral Justin Fedinec of Craig, Colorado, to serve as a coal mine owner, operator, manager, or other mine official actively engaged in the surface mining industry, occasioned by the resignation of Stephen Wayne Laramore of Craig, Colorado, reappointed.

Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board

The Board protects Colorado consumers from excessive prescription drug costs by reviewing affordability, establishing upper payment limits, and making policy recommendations to the General Assembly to improve affordability of prescription drugs.

for a term expiring September 27, 2025:

  • James VandenBerg, PharmD, BCPS of Denver, Colorado, reappointed.

Commission on Aging

The Commission conducts studies and encourages other organizations to conduct studies of the problems of the state’s elder people. The Commission works to promote and aid in the establishment of local programs and services for the aging and aged.

for terms expiring September 1, 2024:

  • Adam Dempsey of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a Democrat from the First Congressional District, appointed;

  • Kimberly Bryant of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a long term

  • residential care setting and as an Unaffiliated, appointed;

  • Lynne Thompson of Center, Colorado, to serve as a representative of local government and a Democrat from the Third Congressional District, appointed;

  • James Kuemmerle of Lochbuie, Colorado, to serve as a Republican from the Fourth Congressional District, appointed;

  • Kathleen Cerullos-Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a person with a disability and an Unaffiliated from the Fifth Congressional District, appointed;

  • Jacqueline Stiff of Centennial, Colorado, to serve as a Democrat from the Sixth Congressional District, appointed;

  • Karen Brown of Arvada, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the business community and an Unaffiliated from Seventh Congressional District, appointed;

  • Ronica Rooks of Thornton, Colorado, to serve as a Democrat from the Eighth Congressional District, appointed;

  • Gina Viola Brown of Golden, Colorado, to serve as a representative of elder law with experience in aging policy or elder rights issues and as a Democrat, appointed;

for terms expiring September 1, 2025:

  • Ellen Taxman of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as Democrat from the Second Congressional District, appointed;

  • Diana Delgado of Dacono, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the housing sector and as an Unaffiliated, appointed;

  • Chad Federwitz of Carbondale, Colorado, to serve as a representative of an organization providing home and community based services and as an Unaffiliated, appointed;

  • Robert Held of Aurora, Colorado, to serve as a Director of an Area Agency on Aging and as a Republican, appointed;

  • Richard McClintock of Englewood, Colorado, to serve as a representative with knowledge of transportation infrastructure and services, and as a Republican, appointed;

  • Kelly Osthoof of Greeley, Colorado, to serve as a representative with expertise in dementia and as a Republican, appointed;

  • Jodi Waterhouse of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of higher education and as a Democrat, appointed;

  • Penny Whitney of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the direct care workforce and as an Unaffiliated, appointed.

Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice

The Commission was formed to engage in an evidence-based analysis of the criminal justice system in Colorado and annually report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.

for terms expiring June 30, 2025:

  • Chief David Hayes of Louisville, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a police

department, appointed;

  • Sheriff John FitzSimons of Breckenridge, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a sheriff's department, appointed;

  • Kira Jukes of Littleton, Colorado, to serve as an expert in juvenile justice issues, appointed.

Commission on Family Medicine

The Commission assures that family medicine residency programs maintain high-quality training, approves and recommends allocation of state funds to the programs, locates areas of the state that are underserved by family physicians, offers ideas on providing medical care to the medically indigent in the state, and supports the development of rural training programs.

for terms expiring July 1, 2025:

  • Ajay Kumar Jha of Fort Collins, Colorado, to serve a healthcare consumer from the

Second Congressional District and a Democrat, appointed;

  • Matthew Lebsack of Delta, Colorado, to serve as a healthcare consumer from the Third

Congressional District and an Unaffiliated, appointed;

  • James Greg Stokes of Thornton, Colorado, to serve as a healthcare consumer from the

Eighth Congressional District and an Unaffiliated, appointed.

Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

The purpose of the compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.

for a term expiring October 30, 2023:

  • Mark Honnen of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the executive branch, occasioned by the resignation of Benjamin S. Henderson of Denver, Colorado, 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 terms expiring July 1, 2025:

  • Nicole Riehl of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the local business community, appointed; 

  • Whitney LeBeouf of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of foundations and nonprofits, appointed;

  • Maria Rodman of New Castle, Colorado, to serve as a provider of early childhood support and services, appointed; 

  • Pamela Harris of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a provider of early childhood support and services, reappointed; 

  • Sue Renner of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of foundations and nonprofits and as co-chair, reappointed. 

for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor:

  • Tamara Hiler of Denver, Colorado to serve as co-chair, appointed.

Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee

The Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee advises and collaborates with the department of law on uses of any custodial funds received by the state as the result of opioid-addiction-related litigation and for which the use of the funds is not predetermined or committed by court order or other action by a state or federal court of law.

for a term expiring at the Pleasure of the Governor:

  • Jason Hoppe, MD, of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a member licensed to practice medicine, occasioned by the resignation of Joshua Blum, MD, of Denver, Colorado, appointed.

Peace Officer Standards and Training Board

The Board oversees the certification of training programs, training academies and instructors of police officer candidates.  The Board also certifies qualified peace officers.

for a term expiring June 30, 2023:

  • Chief Jeffrey Swoboda of Fort Collins, Colorado, to serve as a police chief, occasioned by the resignation of Chief Clint Nichols of Commerce City, Colorado, appointed.

Pollution Prevention Advisory Board

The Board develops pollution prevention goals and objectives, reviews environmental regulatory programs, laws and policies to identify opportunities and incentives, provides direction for pollution prevention outreach, education, training and technical assistance programs, and supports non-regulatory public and private efforts that promote pollution prevention. In addition, the Board administers the Pollution Prevention Grants and the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Grants and Rebates.

for terms expiring July 1, 2025:

  • Jennifer Hale of Lakewood, Colorado, to serve as a representative of business, appointed;

  • Conner Gerken of Fort Morgan, Colorado, to serve as a representative of local government, appointed;

  • John “Derek” Lopez of Pueblo, Colorado, to serve as a representative of higher education, appointed;

  • Cameron Bowen of Littleton, Colorado, to serve as a representative of community groups, appointed;

  • Emily Backus of Westminster, Colorado, to serve as a representative of business, appointed;

  • Thomas Herrod of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of an environmental group, appointed;

  • Jane Fraser of Pueblo, Colorado, to serve as a representative of a community group,

appointed;

  • Susan Williams of Centennial, Colorado, to serve as a representative of business, reappointed;

  • Aaron Watson of Paonia, Colorado, to serve as a representative of an environmental group, reappointed;

  • Doug Hargrave of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of business, reappointed;

  • Julie Hendricksen of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of business, reappointed.

Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force

The Task Force shall study sales and use tax simplification between the state and local governments, including home rule municipalities, to identify opportunities and challenges within existing fiscal frameworks to adopt innovative revenue-neutral solutions that do not require constitutional amendments or voter approval.

for a term expiring July 1, 2024:

  • Judith Vorndran of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative having state and local sales tax use accounting experience, occasioned by the resignation of Andrew Wheeler, CPA, of Denver, Colorado, reappointed.

School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board

The purpose of the Board is to advise and then recommend policies concerning the School Safety Resource Center.  The Center was created to assist schools in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crisis situations and to foster positive learning environments.

for terms expiring August 15, 2024:

  • Lorrie Furman Odom, MD of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, a member of a parents’ organization, reappointed;

  • Honorable Michael Thomas Dougherty of Boulder, Colorado, a district attorney, reappointed.

Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Board of Directors

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Board of Directors distributes funds from a .1% sales and use tax to cultural facilities throughout the seven-county Denver metropolitan area. The funds support cultural facilities whose primary purpose is to enlighten and entertain the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement and preservation of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history and cultural history. 

for a term expiring May 15, 2024:

  • Courtney Ozaki of Lakewood, Colorado occasioned by the resignation of Katherine Nesbitt of Aurora, Colorado, appointed. 

Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission

The Hazardous Waste Commission makes rules and regulations for the handling, storage and transportation of hazardous wastes in the State of Colorado.

for terms expiring August 1, 2025:

  • Matthew Chrisp of Sterling, Colorado, to serve as a representative of local government and as an Unaffiliated, reappointed;

  • Emily McConnell Freeman of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the public and as a Democrat, reappointed;

  • Ryan Kyle of Clifton, Colorado, to serve as a representative of local government and as an Unaffiliated, appointed.

State Board of Land Commissioners

The State Board of Land Commissioners manages an endowment of assets held in perpetual, intergenerational public trusts for the financial support of Colorado’s public schools and other public institutions.

for a term expiring June 30, 2025:

  • Deborah Froeb of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative with substantial experience in natural resource conservation, and as an Unaffiliated, occasioned by the resignation of Scott Randall Braden of Grand Junction, Colorado, appointed.

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 terms expiring July 1, 2023:

  • Phyllis Graham-Dickerson, PhD, RN, CNS of Centennial, Colorado, to serve as a licensed professional nurse engaged in nursing education, occasioned by the resignation of Kristine Lynn Reuss, PhD, RN, of Grand Junction, Colorado, appointed; 

  • Lenny Rothermund, LPN, of Greeley, Colorado, to serve as a licensed practical nurse, occasioned by the resignation of Krystal Nikole Hernandez of Longmont, Colorado, appointed; 

for a term expiring July 1, 2025: 

  • Dianne Reinhard, RN, DNP, MBA, of Centennial, Colorado, to serve as a registered nurse administrator professional, occasioned by the resignation of Kara Bernard of Denver, Colorado, appointed; 

for a term expiring July 1, 2026: 

  • Hayley Hitchcock of Littleton, Colorado, to serve as a public member, occasioned by the resignation of Araceli Ageous of Platteville, Colorado, appointed.

State Board of Veterinary Medicine

The State Board of Veterinary Medicine regulates and licenses veterinarians in the State of Colorado. The Board establishes and enforces professional standards through the development and maintenance of rules and policies, ensuring that only qualified persons are licensed to provide veterinary care, and that violators of the laws and rules regulating veterinary medicine are sanctioned as appropriate.

for a term expiring June 30, 2025:

  • Maria Crisitna Avila of Denver, Colorado to serve as public member, occasioned by the resignation of Tatum Hayes Perez, appointed.

State Electrical Board

The Board examines and licenses electricians.  The Board also adopts and revises rules and regulations concerning the installation, repair and alteration of wiring apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat and power.

for terms expiring July 1, 2024:

  • Jeremy Sanchez of Loveland, Colorado, to serve as a general contractor professional, occasioned by the resignation of James Selecky of Denver, Colorado, appointed.

State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council

The 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 on July 1, 2024:

  • Derek Bergsten of Timnath, Colorado, to serve as a fire chief of a service that proxies prehospital care in an urban area, occasioned by the resignation of Fernando Gray, Sr., MPA, EFO, CFO of Golden, Colorado, appointed.

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council is mandated under the Federal Law and acts in partnership with Colorado Rehabilitation Services to plan independent living programs in the state.

for terms expiring October 1, 2025:

  • Staci Nichols of Craig, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, reappointed;

  • Martha Mason of Hesperus, Colorado, to serve as a representative of persons employed in an independent living center, reappointed; 

  • Indy Frazee of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a director of a center for independent living, appointed; 

  • Dan Ashbaugh of Loveland, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, appointed; 

  • Edgar Morales of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, appointed; 

  • Evan Shockley of Fort Collins, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, appointed; 

  • Scott Lindbloom of Salida, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, appointed; 

  • Courtney Walsh of Aurora, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, appointed; 

  • Sage Sigman of Denver, Colorado, to serve as an individual with a disability, appointed.