Press Release: Colorado State Land Board Welcomes New Commissioners

Colorado State Land Board Welcomes New Commissioners Mark Harvey and James Pribyl

DENVER, CO — The Colorado State Land Board is pleased to announce the commencement of the terms of its newest commissioners, Mark Harvey and Jim Pribyl, effective July 1, 2025. The appointments were made by Governor Jared Polis, unanimously confirmed by the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on April 24, 2025, and approved by the Senate on May 1, 2025.

Since 1876, the State Land Board has been tasked with managing state trust assets to provide reasonable and consistent income to support K-12 education. The State Land Board holds 2.8 million acres of land and 4 million acres of subsurface minerals, and these working lands are leased for agriculture, oil and gas, recreation, renewable energy, ecosystem services, commercial buildings, affordable housing, and more. The Commissioners are charged with balancing different demands on state trust lands to meet the agency's constitutional duties. The Colorado Constitution requires that four of five commissioners have substantial experience in one of four areas; public K-12 education, production agriculture, local government, and natural resource management. However, they do not represent the interests of the particular sector, but rather the interests of the beneficiaries. The fifth seat is held by a Citizen-at-Large.

Mark Harvey, appointed to the production agriculture seat, brings extensive experience as a native Coloradan and cattle rancher. Managing a 2,000-acre ranch in Snowmass, Colorado, Mr. Harvey’s background includes water, range, and livestock management. He is also the founder of Open Range Wines and an author, with his book The National Outdoor Leadership School's Wilderness Guide receiving a National Outdoor Book Award in 2000.

Jim Pribyl has been appointed as the Citizen-at-Large representative. Mr. Pribyl has a distinguished background in public policy management, natural resources, and communications, including a 35-year career in the telecommunications industry and significant roles in state and federal government affairs. His public service includes serving on the Colorado State Parks Board, the Greater Outdoor Colorado Trust Fund, and as chair of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. He also served as chair of the Board of Trustees for Western Colorado University.

During the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources confirmation hearing, Mr. Harvey stressed his real-world ranching experience and support for managing lands for both revenue generation and sound stewardship. “If appointed, I would bring a perspective grounded in real world ranching experience that is practical, place-based, and solutions oriented. I understand what it means to work a working operation, and what opportunities there are to invest in resilience and protect biodiversity. I also support partnering with groups like CSU Extension, Trout Unlimited, and the Nature Conservancy to uphold our agricultural values while making sure our lands remain protected and productive for generations to come.”

Mr. Pribyl focused on his experience in public service and commitment to pragmatic, practical decision-making. “What I offer the people of Colorado, the Governor, and the General Assembly, is simple: it's pragmatic, practical, commonsense decision making, policy solving, consistent with executing the constitutional and statutory mandates of the State Land Board. I'm honored to bring that approach to the Land Board in its mission of funding public schools, public institutions, and public good through responsible and sustainable land stewardship.”

Dr. Nicole Rosmarino, director of the Colorado State Land Board, welcomed the appointments, saying, “Commissioners Harvey and Pribyl bring deep experience and a strong commitment to public service. Their expertise in land stewardship, agriculture, and governance will strengthen our ability to meet our constitutional mission—generating lasting revenue for Colorado’s public schools while stewarding trust assets responsibly.”

"We extend our deepest gratitude to outgoing Commissioners Chavez and Clark for their years of dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the State Land Board's mission. Their leadership has been instrumental in our success,” said Board President Deborah Froeb. “As we move forward, we are excited to welcome Commissioners Harvey and Pribyl. We look forward to their expertise and perspectives as we continue our work to support Colorado’s public schools and institutions. The Board is committed to upholding our constitutional duty, and we are confident that our new commissioners will help us achieve our goals with integrity and vision."
 

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About the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners: 

The Colorado State Land Board is a constitutionally created agency that manages a $4.4 billion endowment of assets for the intergenerational benefit of Colorado’s K-12 schoolchildren and public institutions. The agency is the second-largest landowner in Colorado and generates revenue for beneficiaries by leasing three million surface acres and four million subsurface acres for agriculture, grazing, recreation, commercial real estate, rights-of-way, renewable energy, oil, gas, and solid minerals. The agency is entirely self-funded and receives no tax dollars. 

For more information please contact:

Emily Barbo, Colorado State Land Board, 720-854-3330, emily.barbo@state.co.us