Dr. Nicole Rosmarino has been named the new Director of the Colorado State Land Board, according to an announcement from Governor Jared Polis, the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
Rosmarino brings nearly three decades of experience in natural resource management and policy within Colorado. She most recently served as Senior Policy Advisor for Wildlife, Agriculture, and Rural Economic Development in the Office of the Governor.
Governor Polis commented on her appointment: “We are excited to welcome Nicole Rosmarino to the State Land Board Director role. The State Land Board plays an important role in our state for agriculture, recreation and education, something Nicole understands deeply. She knows well how important the land board is to our agricultural communities. With her breadth and depth of knowledge of the Land Board’s role and mission, she is more than qualified for this position.”
Deb Froeb, Chair of the Colorado State Land Board, said: “The Commissioners of the State Land Board look forward to supporting Nicole Rosmarino in her new role as Director. We believe Nicole’s expertise can bring creativity and innovation to complement the Land Board’s successful track record of sustainably managing its working lands to fund public education while stewarding their natural resources and enhancing value for future generations.”
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director at Colorado Department of Natural Resources, added: “I congratulate Nicole Rosmarino on her appointment as State Land Board Director. The State Land Board has a unique mission to steward our trust lands while providing needed funding for Colorado schools. Within those priorities the Board’s staff and Commission have employed innovative management on lands to encourage agricultural productivity, energy development, and other uses while protecting wildlife habitat and ecological health and serving as an outdoor classroom for Colorado’s school children. I know Nicole and all State Land Board staff are up to the challenge to continue the core mission of the Land Board while looking for additional ways our trust lands can benefit future generations of Coloradans.”
Gibbs also acknowledged Interim Director Nick Massie’s leadership during the search process: “I also want to thank Interim Director Nick Massie for his excellent management of the Board during the Director search. He kept the State Land Board on task and steady. Nick’s eight years of dedication to the State Land Board has been invaluable and I look forward to his continued contribution to the State Land Board’s mission and ongoing development.”
Before joining state government, Rosmarino was Executive Director at Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT).
Rosmarino stated: “I am honored and excited to join the Colorado State Land Board and contribute to its vital mission. The opportunity to care for these lands for the benefit of Colorado’s students, while also upholding our commitment to sound stewardship, is a privilege. I understand and respect the deep history and crucial role that agriculture plays on state trust lands. My experience has shown me that sustainable land management requires a comprehensive approach, one that embraces both traditional uses and evolving conservation practices. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board, our dedicated staff, and diverse stakeholders to ensure the continued success and responsible management of these valuable state assets.”
Rosmarino holds a doctorate in political science from University of Colorado at Boulder with research focused on management strategies for at-risk wildlife species and native ecosystems. She has worked with various groups including agricultural producers, conservation organizations, local governments, and recreational users.
The Colorado State Land Board manages a $4.4 billion endowment designed for long-term support of K-12 education across Colorado schools as well as other public institutions through leasing approximately three million surface acres plus four million subsurface acres used for purposes such as agriculture or renewable energy projects (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/statelandboard/about-us). The agency operates independently without taxpayer funding.
