San Miguel County: Commissioner Hilary Cooper Resigns!

24 Apr San Miguel County: Commissioner Hilary Cooper Resigns!

Commissioner Hilary Cooper resigns from San Miguel County board.

New role with State of Colorado begins May 8.

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Hilary Cooper

Commissioner Hilary Cooper announced she has accepted a job with the State of Colorado and is stepping down from her seat as the San Miguel County Commissioner for District 1.

Cooper will vacate her seat at the end of day on May 8 and begin her new role as the Director of Innovative Financing for Housing Programs at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). 

Cooper has long placed housing as a priority in her work as a county commissioner. Her new position is a continuation of that work.

“Governor Polis has declared the creation of more affordable housing across the state a primary goal of his second term and I am eager to join my new colleagues at OEDIT to continue to focus on affordable housing and secure innovative solutions to accomplish the goals of the Governor,” Cooper said.

Cooper was first elected in 2016 and was set to term out in 2024. County staff and elected officials praised her work ethic and focus on community.

“Over the past six years, Commissioner Cooper has proven herself to be a strong and energetic leader at local, state, and national levels,” said District 2 County Commissioner, Lance Waring. “She operates from a fundamental desire to maintain community. Her new position will allow her to amplify these efforts. I wish her all the best.”

“I will miss working with Commissioner Cooper,” said County Manager, Mike Bordogna. “She is leaving huge shoes to fill for her successor. Her hard work and determination to create meaningful change with our climate action and affordable housing has made San Miguel County a leader in these areas in the region and State.”

Per Colorado statute, the Vacancy Committee of the San Miguel County Democrats must select a new commissioner within 10 days following the vacation of a county commissioner seat.

San Miguel County Commissioners are limited to two terms and Cooper’s second term ends at the swearing in of the new commissioner in January 2025. The individual selected to replace Cooper will serve through the end of her term. The position will then be filled by the winner of the November 2024 election.