The Colorado State Land Board has appointed Nicole Rosmarino as its new director, a decision confirmed unanimously during its monthly Board Meeting on June 12.
Rosmarino’s appointment comes after a thorough four-month search process that attracted a national applicant pool and received the approval of Governor Polis.
With over 40 years of experience in environmental advocacy and natural resource management, Rosmarino has previously served as executive director for the Southern Plains Land Trust.
She also held the position of senior policy advisor for Wildlife, Agriculture, and Rural Economic Development in the Office of the Governor.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, 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.”
Prior to Rosmarino’s confirmation, a public comment period revealed mixed sentiments among community members.
Many participants voiced concerns about the potential impact of her leadership on ranchers, farmers, and hunters, particularly in relation to her past during the 1980s when she was involved in environmental activism.
Board commissioners assured the public that Rosmarino’s leadership would not introduce drastic changes within the State Land Board.
They emphasized that they had addressed concerns regarding her approach and received commitments from Rosmarino to balance various community needs in her decision-making.
In contrast to the concerns, several commenters expressed strong support for Rosmarino, praising her depth of expertise in environmental stewardship and her ability to build positive relationships with local communities.
One supporter noted her commitment to embedding herself in community issues by relocating closer to the Heartland Ranch Nature Preserve in Southeastern Colorado.
Such experiences and characteristics were highlighted as essential for the role of director, which demands an ability to foster economic growth while managing working lands effectively.
Rosmarino reiterated her vision for sustainable land management, stating, “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.”
In other business, the Colorado State Land Board approved a request from Crestone Resources to construct an access road and pipeline for the Sunlight/Long well pad on Tier 1 land in southeast Aurora.
This designation typically limits surface occupancy, but adjustments were made to accommodate environmental considerations.
Concerns had been raised about the proximity of the original plan to the Aurora Reservoir, prompting a collaborative reassessment that led to a more environmentally sound pathway.
While some road and pipeline sections were initially planned within 1,000 feet of the reservoir, the board ultimately decided to remove and reclaim those areas.
The new access road and pipeline location, although designated as Tier 1, reflects changes in Aurora Water’s reservoir plans—decisions affirmed as Aurora abandoned efforts to develop the East Aurora Reservoir after negative findings from Water Division No. 1.
The Colorado State Land Board staff had previously informed Aurora Water that the land could be repurposed for other uses, even if the formal Tier Map had not yet been updated.
With the approval for Crestone’s request, the Board recognized that the Tier Map would need future amendments to reflect these reservoir changes.
Additionally, the decision regarding the extension of the Geothermal Exploration Lease in Chaffee County was postponed from an action item to information, delaying a final decision.
Currently expiring on July 1, the extension would enable Mt. Princeton Geothermal to explore the feasibility of developing Colorado’s first geothermal power facility.
As of now, there is no scheduled date for the Board to revisit this important item, leaving future geothermal energy exploration in a state of uncertainty.
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