President

President

The Colorado Forum (the "Forum") is one of Colorado's most distinctive and influential public policy organizations. Founded more than four decades ago, the Forum brings together an invitation-only membership of chief executives and civic leaders throughout Colorado, united by a common commitment to Colorado's long-term health and prosperity.

With members from throughout the State, the Colorado Forum is a geographically and politically diverse, nonpartisan organization. Because the Forum operates by 100% consensus, the positions it takes on issues are powerful reflections of sound public policy, not political bias. Forum members are renowned for their ability to envision and advance creative, long-term solutions to seemingly intractable problems. The Forum has established a well-earned reputation for a collaborative, wise persistence on behalf of Colorado and all Coloradans.

The Forum's effectiveness rests on a tradition of deep research, honest deliberation, convening of parties of interest, and nonpartisan advocacy. Members engage on the State's most consequential "horizon issues" — long-range challenges that require sustained attention, cross-sector collaboration, and the political will to act. Current priority focus areas include:

• Fiscal policy
• Broadband access and rural connectivity
• Education (PreK-Higher Education)
• Energy and Environmental Sustainability
• Healthcare
• Immigration
• Transportation
• Water and Agriculture
• Wildfire Prevention
• Local Media and Information Integrity
• Voter Participation

Membership is intentionally limited to 80 individuals who are selected for membership by the entire Forum membership by 100% consensus. The Forum members do not have term limits and members are eligible to retain their Forum membership despite changing jobs or retiring from employment. The Forum is geographically diverse, drawing leaders from the Denver metro area, the Front Range, Western and Southern Colorado, the Eastern Plains, and Northern Colorado.

Much of the Forum's work is addressed through deep involvement across Forum committees. Forum committees are comprised of interested Forum members and are staffed by Forum staff and the President. These committees are currently tackling some of the horizon issues outlined above as well as governance-related efforts.

The President of the Forum has an extraordinary opportunity to make impact within the organization and across the state. The President works closely with Forum members and state leaders to determine which efforts to direct and then assembles the resources needed to tackle each issue appropriately.

With an operating budget funded primarily by membership dues and project-specific contributions, the President can spend significant time directing strategic initiatives rather than on more typical fundraising efforts.

The Forum has grown in size, sophistication, and impact over the course of its history. Thus, the incoming President will direct the next chapter of the organization's growth from a basis of reputational, operational, and financial strength.

The nature of the Forum's projects varies by project so the President can exercise a lot of creativity in working with constituents, partners, staff, members, and civic leaders. This is a key part of the job; knowing how to activate different types of resources (financial, personnel, membership networks, pools of expertise) in the most effective fashion to achieve each project's objectives. It is this unusual flexibility and creative thinking that have allowed the Forum to dig into issues with continued success. The incoming President will inherit this tradition of thought leadership and innovative tapping of assets to get stuff done.

The President serves as the chief executive and public face of the Forum, providing strategic, operational, and thought leadership to advance the organization's mission. This is an exceptionally rare opportunity — the position has been held only by two individuals total, and by a single individual since 1989 — to shape the future of a storied institution at the center of Colorado's civic life.

The President:

• Leads a small, highly capable staff; manages relationships with an accomplished and engaged membership;
• Stewards the Forum's research and policy agenda,
• Occasionally creates new organizations to assist in furthering the Forum's agenda,
• Manages the charitable arm of the Forum, and
• Ensures that the organization continues to be a trusted, nonpartisan voice on the issues that matter most to Colorado's future.

Required qualifications and experience:

Required

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience in the public, private, or nonprofit sector — preferably spanning more than one of those sectors.
• Deep knowledge of Colorado's political, economic, and civic landscape
• A track record of building consensus and achieving results across diverse stakeholder groups
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy issues for broad audiences
• High personal integrity and a genuine commitment to nonpartisan, evidence-based problem-solving
• Experience managing organizations, budgets, and teams

Strongly Preferred

• Advanced degree in law, public policy, business, or a closely related field
• Familiarity with Colorado's key policy domains: water, energy, education, fiscal policy, health care, and/or land use
• Experience working with or for elected officials, government agencies, or major philanthropic foundations
• An existing network among Colorado's senior business and civic leadership community
• Experience with 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and nonprofit governance and operations

The ideal President of the Forum is a rare individual: a trusted convener who listens as well as they lead; a thoughtful strategist who understands that lasting policy change requires patience and sustained commitment; and a skilled communicator who can articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction.

The President must be genuinely comfortable engaging leaders across the ideological spectrum and varied geographies — from CEOs and ranchers to state legislators and nonprofit directors — with equal credibility and respect. Above all, this leader brings a deep, personal commitment to Colorado and its future, and the wisdom to leave politics and parochial interests at the door in service of the common good.

The Colorado Forum is a Colorado not for profit corporation with a staff of four dedicated full-time professionals. Revenue to fund the Forum's operations comes primarily from member dues, project contributions, and administrative reimbursement from The Forum Fund.

The President reports to the Forum's Governance Committee, which hires and reviews the President, with approval from the Forum membership.

The Colorado Forum is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit discrimination against applicants and employees on any basis protected by applicable federal or state laws including but not limited to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, gendered expression, marital status, political affiliation, or political, military/veteran service.