Gov. Jared Polis made a new round of cabinet appointments on Wednesday, and among them is the appointment of current Summit County commissioner Dan Gibbs as executive director of the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Gibbs has previously served in state government as both a state house representative and state senator.
Gibbs, a certified wildland firefighter, has been at the forefront of the county’s wildfire mitigation efforts during his eight years as commissioner, along with other environmental issues concerning Summit residents.
The cabinet appointment was announced a day after Gibbs was sworn in for his third term as county commissioner. The county announced in press release late Wednesday afternoon that, if confirmed, Gibbs will vacate his District 1 commissioner’s seat.
Since Gibbs is a Democrat, his successor will be named by a Democratic vacancy committee, comprised of Summit County Democratic elected officials and party officers. The committee will convene following the announcement of the vacancy of Gibbs’s seat, pending his resignation. The vacancy committee will interview applicants from District 1 and make an appointment.
This story will be updated when more information is available.