GOV. RITTER NAMES JIM MARTIN NEW DIRECTOR OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Gov. Bill Ritter today named Jim Martin as the new executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Martin currently serves as head of the Department of Public Health and Environment, managing a multitude of public health and environmental protection programs. He will assume his new duties Nov. 16.

“Jim has proven himself time and time again as a strong leader and innovative policy maker,” Gov. Ritter said. “ Colorado will be well-served by the depth and breadth of his subject-matter expertise on the issues critical to the mission of the Department of Natural Resources, including public lands, water and energy. His leadership style is one of consensus-building and problem-solving, and he has broad respect among stakeholders and a great record of public service.”


“The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for some of the most important functions of state government, from protecting our water and land to wisely developing energy resources,” Jim Martin said. “I am humbled by the Governor's confidence in me and I look forward to working with all of the interested stakeholders in building a lasting legacy for Colorado .”

Martin will replace departing DNR Executive Director Harris Sherman, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this month to become the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary for natural resources and environment, overseeing the Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

From 2004 to 2006, prior to joining the Ritter Administration, Martin served as executive director of Western Resource Advocates. Before that, he was director of the Natural Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado School of Law. He also was senior attorney and director of the energy program for Environmental Defense, and from 1986 to 1992 he worked for former U.S. Rep. and Sen. Tim Wirth, including four years as state director and counsel.

Martin earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Knox College in Illinois and his law degree from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College , in Oregon.