The Colorado Forum has begun the search for its next President, following long-time leader Gail Klapper’s request that the organization’s governance committee begin planning for her successor. Well known for its singularly respected role in convening bipartisan solutions to statewide issues, the Forum is well positioned for its next chapter, with a highly engaged invitation-only membership of chief executives and civic leaders from throughout Colorado, an excellent staff, and strong funding.
The position specification below outlines the opportunity, desired leadership qualities, key responsibilities, and application process.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Carolyn McCormick of Peak HR Consulting, LLC at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com. The writing sample should be limited to two single-spaced pages, may be on a subject of the candidate’s choosing, and should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and compellingly. All applications should be submitted electronically.
THE COLORADO FORUM: A UNIQUE RESOURCE FOR COLORADO
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.
HOW DOES THE FORUM MAKE AN IMPACT
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.
CREATING OTHER IMPACTFUL ORGANIZATIONS
The Forum Fund
In the last decade, The Forum has broadened its purview by adding a charitable arm to the nonprofit work of the Forum. That 501 (c)(3) organization is called the Colorado Forum Fund (the “Forum Fund”). The Forum Fund has its own Board of Trustees and the President of the Forum also serves as the President of the Forum Fund; a member of the Forum serves as chair of the Forum Fund Board. The Forum Fund supports philanthropic and educational projects aligned with the Forum’s mission. In 2025, the Forum Fund was entrusted with a $1 million donation to seed the Dan Ritchie Initiative for Visionary Education (“DRIVE”) effort, designed to transform Colorado’s education system so that K-12 student performance would generate extraordinary measurable outcomes. Other donations from Forum members and charitable entities have grown the Forum Fund to over $2.2 Million.
The Forum Fund periodically serves as a fiscal sponsor for organizations that do not have charitable status themselves but are serving a charitable purpose consistent with the goals of the Forum.
The Forum staff and its President support and manage the administrative and project work of the Forum Fund. A portion of the cost of salary and benefits of Forum staff and the President and certain expenses of the Forum are shared by the Forum Fund.
Building a Better Colorado
In addition to creating the Forum Fund, the President of the Forum, with the help of members of the Forum, formed an organization named Building a Better Colorado (“BBCO”). BBCO has recently achieved its own 501(c)(3) status, with the help of the Forum’s President and a legal team directed by members of the Forum. BBCO has its own Executive Director, staff, and Board of Trustees. The President of the Forum and a member of the Forum serve as co-chairs of BBCO.
The work of BBCO has been to identify a single area of interest in Colorado, do extensive, balanced research on that topic, and present the issue and the research to invited leaders in communities throughout the State. Over the past 10 years, BBCO has facilitated discussions of different relevant topics of importance to Colorado. Those conversations have objectively informed leaders in all areas of Colorado. BBCO has listened to sentiments from leaders in all parts of the State on the topic being addressed.
POSITION IMPACT
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.
POSITION SUMMARY
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.
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, healthcare, 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
LEADERSHIP PROFILE
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.
REPORTING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
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.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the President position is $230,000 - $285,000. The Forum offers full-time staff members healthcare benefits, paid time off, and, following a vesting period, retirement support. If needed, the Forum will provide relocation cost support for a chosen candidate who currently lives outside Colorado.
NON-DISCRIMINATION COMMITMENT
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.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by sending a cover letter, a resume, and a writing sample to Carolyn McCormick of Peak HR Consulting, LLC at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com. The writing sample should be limited to two single-spaced pages, can be of a subject of your choosing, and should represent your abilities to communicate verbally in a compelling fashion. All applications are to be submitted electronically.