Brett Ackerman

Representation: Substantial Expertise in Environmental and Wildlife Protection
Political Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Brett Ackerman was appointed to the Energy and Carbon Management Commission by Governor Polis in July 2022. He is serving in the capacity of a member with formal training or substantial experience in environmental protection, wildlife protection, or reclamation for a term expiring July 1, 2026. Previous to his appointment, Ackerman spent over 20 years with Colorado Parks & Wildlife in various positions, most recently as CPW’s Southeast Region Manager and a member of the agency’s executive leadership team. Over the past two decades he has helped formulate, guide and implement many of Colorado’s natural resource conservation policies and land use practices, including leading CPW’s engagement in the SB19-181 ECMC rulemaking process. While managing CPW’s complex regulatory program, Ackerman conducted numerous rulemaking and policy processes throughout the state. He has extensive experience in coordinating and negotiating with legislators, commissions, agency personnel, local governments, private entities and the public on issues of natural resource management. Ackerman has served on a variety of boards, including an appointment by Governor Polis to Colorado’s Habitat Stamp Committee and an appointment by the US Secretary of the Interior to the Bureau of Land Management’s Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Council. Ackerman holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Range Resources from Brigham Young University and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in environmental policy, management and law from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Michael Cross

Representation: Substantial Oil and Gas Experience
Political Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Mike Cross was appointed to the Energy and Carbon Management Conservation Commission by Governor Polis in July 2022. He is serving in the capacity of a member with substantial expertise in oil and gas for a term expiring July 2026. He has experience in the oil and gas industry working as legal counsel focusing on oil and gas, mining and other natural resource industries. He has significant commercial and industry-specific litigation experience, having represented clients in complex state, federal and administrative agency litigation, including class action and multidistrict litigation. Mike also has experience in regulatory, compliance, permitting and operation issues, particularly in connection with federal procedural and environmental statutes and regulations. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a J.D. from Cornell Law School. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors.

Dan Gibbs

Representation: Executive Director of Department of Natural Resources (ex-officio non voting member)
Resident County: Summit

As Executive Director, Dan Gibbs leads the development and execution of the Department’s initiatives for the balanced management of the state’s natural resources. Dan works on an array of issues pertaining to all of Colorado’s natural resources, including water, wildlife, state lands, oil and gas and mining. Prior to joining the Department of Natural Resources, Dan served as a Summit County Commissioner from 2010-2018. As county commissioner, Dan successfully pushed for wildfire preparedness, affordable workforce housing, lower health insurance costs and protection and improvements to transportation infrastructure. Dan is a respected collaborator and a strong proponent of building partnerships across agencies, nonprofits and private-sector organizations to improve the productivity and success of government operations and services.

Karin McGowan, MPA

Representation: Substantial Experience in Public Health
Political Affiliation: Democrat

Karin McGowan was appointed to the Energy and Carbon Management Conservation Commission by Governor Polis in July 2020. She is serving in the capacity of a member with formal training or substantial experience in public health for a term expiring July 1, 2024. Ms. McGowan spent over a decade at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in various positions, most recently as the Deputy Executive Director and the Director of Community Relations. She was responsible for the department’s internal/external communications, legislative affairs, the Office of Health Equity, the Office of Emergency Planning and Response, and the Office of Planning and Partnerships. Among her many accomplishments, she secured resources for the state's first-ever marijuana public education and prevention program, state reference and certification lab, and surveillance data collection. She helped pass multiple fee increases for water, air, solid and hazardous waste, and health facilities programs through the state legislature, ensuring their growth and stability. She has also worked on public health and environmental policies regarding oil and gas activities. She is skilled in crisis management, and helped oversee the 2013 floods, state toxicology lab closure, 2015 Gold King Mine spill, and COVID-19 response. At the public health department, Ms. McGowan earned the reputation as the behind-the-scenes driver of resolving problems and finding solutions. She previously worked at the Denver Regional Council of Governments as the director of policy development and communications. She also served as assistant director for external affairs with Great Outdoors Colorado and in various policy and legislative capacities under Gov Roy Romer. Ms McGowan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington.

John Messner

Representation: Substantial Expertise in Planning or Land Use
Political Affiliation: Democrat

John Messner was first appointed by Governor Polis as a Commissioner with the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (formerly the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) in 2019 as a volunteer Commissioner, then as a full time professional Commissioner in 2020 in the seat with expertise in land use and local government. He also serves as Chair of the newly developed Colorado Produced Water Consortium. Previous to this appointment, Messner served as a Gunnison County Commissioner, was Vice Chair of Colorado Counties Inc (CCI)- Land Use and Natural Resources Steering Committee, was a member of the National Association of Counties (NaCO)- Energy, Environment and Land Use Policy Committee and Chair of Counties and Communities Acting Together (CCAT).

Trisha Oeth

Representation: Director of Environmental Health and Protection for the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (ex-officio non voting member)

Trisha Oeth is the Director of Environmental Health and Protection at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. She oversees the work of four divisions which are responsible for safeguarding the public’s health by preventing harmful environmental exposures to a wide array of health hazards. These divisions administer and enforce laws that regulate air, water, and land pollution; administer authorities delegated by the EPA, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and administer state statutes in the areas of oil and gas regulation, greenhouse gas emission regulation, waste management, environmental health, recycling, and environmental cleanup. She also oversees the department’s environmental justice program to ensure disproportionately impacted communities are meaningfully engaged through community meetings, during public rulemaking hearings, and are represented on the department’s boards and commissions. Prior to her work at CDPHE, Trisha practiced law at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and in private practice, after graduating from the University of Colorado School of Law. Trisha is a member of the Environmental Council of the States and the Regional Air Quality Council, served as co-chair of the Association of Clean Water Administrators’ Nutrient Policy Committee, has been a member of the Western States Water Council, is an alumni of Water Education Colorado’s Water Leaders Program, and is a member of the Boulder Water Resources Advisory Board.

Jeff Robbins, Chair, ECMC Commission

Representation: Experience Demonstrating an Ability to Contribute to the Commission’s Body of Expertise that will aid the Commission in Making Sound, Balanced Decisions
Political Affiliation: Democrat

Jeff Robbins was appointed on July 1, 2020, by Gov. Polis to serve as the first Chair of the ECMC’s Professional Commission as a “member with professional experience demonstrating an ability to contribute to the commission’s body of expertise that will aid the commission in making sound, balanced decisions” for a term expiring July 1, 2024. As Chair, Robbins has led the Commission’s implementation of the landmark legislation, SB 19-181, that changed the ECMC’s mission from “fostering” oil and gas development to “regulating” in a manner that is protective of public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and the environment. This includes leading the Commission’s transition to full-time from a volunteer structure, expanding access to the Commission for its diverse stakeholders, increasing transparency, and overseeing the SB 19-181 Mission Change and Financial Assurance Rulemakings and managing Commission hearings. In this role, Robbins also serves as the Chair of the Orphan Well Mitigation Enterprise Board. Prior to his role as Commission Chair, Robbins served as the ECMC Director where he led the division’s efforts in SB 19-181 rulemakings, all day-to-day operations and implementation of SB 19-181. The ECMC has been successfully implementing the SB 19-181 protective framework and, as a result, has re-imagined the regulatory environment. Colorado is recognized for creating the most protective standards in the country. Previously, Robbins served as counselor and advisor to Gov. Jared Polis on oil and gas issues for six years. He served on the 2014 Colorado Task Force Regarding State and Local Regulation of Oil and Gas Operations. He had a private law practice in Colorado, and was a partner in the law firm of Goldman, Robbins, Nicholson & Mack, P.C., based in Durango. Robbins has substantial experience in governmental law and his practice focused on assisting front range communities including Adams and Boulder counties, and the cities of Aurora, Dacono, Lafayette and Timnath, address land use and surface issues arising out of oil and gas operations. He practiced extensively before the ECMC in the representation of these clients. He also has served as the County Attorney for Archuleta and La Plata counties. Robbins has a B.A. in English from Washington and Lee University and earned a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law.

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