Governor submits Western Colorado University trustees and health enterprise appointments to Senate

The Senate received a message from the governor on Jan. 13 that formally submitted nominations and reappointments to several boards and enterprises.

Unidentified Speaker 2 read the governor's message: "I have the honor to designate, appoint, reappoint, and submit your consideration the following members of the board of trustees for Western Colorado University," then listed nominees with term expiration dates, including Kelly Nordini (term expiring 12/31/2028), Danielle Henry (term expiring 12/31/2029) and Kara Buckley (reappointment). The reading continued with multiple appointments and reappointments to the Colorado Health Care Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise, naming Manette Singh, Bridal Westrom, Ryan Thornton, Julie Nikkel, Rain Henry and Hillary Jorgensen with specified representative roles and term expirations.

Why it matters: these appointments place named individuals in roles that oversee a regional public university and a statewide health governance enterprise; such appointments determine representation for businesses, hospitals and consumer groups in enterprise governance.

What the transcript records: the message was read into the record and concluded with the signature line, "Sincerely, Jared Polis, governor." The Senate did not record debate or confirmation votes in this session; the clerk's reading transmits the nominations to the Senate as part of the official record and referral process.

Next steps: nominations typically proceed to committee consideration and confirmation hearings according to Senate rules; the transcript does not specify committee assignments or confirmation outcomes.

The session then noted that the President had signed House Joint Resolution 1003 and later adjourned to reconvene on Jan. 27, 2026.