Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director Dan Gibbs announced the addition of new members to his leadership team, hiring Kelly Romero-Heaney as the Department’s new Assistant Director for Water Policy and promoting Angela Boag to an Assistant Director for Climate, Forest Health and Energy.
Kelly Romero-Heaney, Assistant Director for Water Policy
“I am extremely excited to have someone with the caliber of experience and relationships as Kelly join our leadership team at the Department," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “Kelly has been a leader in water issues at her current position with the City of Steamboat and has over 20 years of experience in natural resource issues. Her knowledge and participation in our Colorado Water Plan Basin Roundtables and Work Groups, community planning and strong collaborative work in Northwest Colorado will be a strong asset as we navigate the myriad of important water policy issues for the Department of Natural Resources and the State of Colorado.
Water issues in Colorado are paramount to the economy, environment, wildlife and our
quality of life and it's vital to have knowledgeable and collaborative staff as we address our future water supply and management challenges. Kelly’s background and experience will help the Department as we tackle important priorities for the Department including updating the Colorado Water Plan, overseeing interstate negotiations around the Colorado River, and implementing new water measurement rules, among others, all while managing impacts of climate change, population growth, and systematic drought on our water system.”
In addition to her more recent employment with the City of Steamboat Kelly has diverse experience in the private and government sector as a consultant, hydrologist, environmental specialist and wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service.
Kelly launched one of the first stream management plans after the adoption of the Colorado Water Plan and partnered with The Nature Conservancy to create the Yampa River Fund, a $4.5 million endowment for river restoration and agricultural improvements.
Kelly has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Geology from the University of Montana.
The Assistant Director for Water Policy position at the Department acts as a policy advisor to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Colorado Water Conservation Board Director and Division of Water Resources Director, regarding issues, legislation, and state and national policy developments concerning water and related natural resources that may impact Colorado.
Angela Boag, Assistant Director for Climate, Forest Health and Energy
Angela Boag’s promotion to the position of Assistant Director for Climate, Forest Health and Energy marks the increasing importance of climate change and forest health issues at the Department.
“Angela is an integral member of my current staff and it was important to elevate her position as an Assistant Director as our climate change, forest health and energy work has also elevated in importance and workload,” said Dan Gibbs. “Angela has helped our Department navigate and implement the important Shared Stewardship MOU we have with the US Department of Agriculture, enhanced our forest health and restoration work in collaboration with the Colorado State Forest Service, represented the Department on natural and working lands issues for the Governor’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap, and assisted with the important work of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as they move to complete their SB 181 rulemakings and processes.
As an Assistant Director Angela will help position the Department as we implement the Governor’s and State’s priorities on climate change, protecting communities from wildfires, promoting forest health and restoration, and moving forward on protecting public health and the environment while managing our state’s oil and natural gas resources.”
In addition to serving as the Policy Advisor for Climate, Forest Health and Energy in the Department for the last 18 months, Angela has diverse experience in the private, nonprofit and academic sectors as a consultant and research scientist. At the University of Colorado Boulder, Angela evaluated the impacts of climate change on forests and grasslands, and studied how private landowners adapt forest management to climate change. For 2 years, Angela co-chaired the Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation Group for the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Angela has a Doctorate in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado-Boulder, a master’s degree in Forestry from the University of British Columbia, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Queen’s University in her native Canada.
The Assistant Director for Climate, Forest Health and Energy position at the Department acts as a policy advisor to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Director of the Colorado State Forest Service, and Director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, regarding issues, legislation, and state and national policy developments concerning climate change, forest management, energy, and related natural resources that may impact Colorado.
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