BLM selects new manager for local field office

By DENNIS WEBB

Dennis.Webb@gjsentinel.com

The Bureau of Land Management has selected a new manager of its Grand Junction Field Office after its previous one left that position to go to work for the agency’s western headquarters, also based in Grand Junction.

Stacey Colón, a BLM employee since 2020 after a career in the U.S Marine Corps, will officially become field manager on Sunday, after serving most recently as acting field manager.

She replaces Greg Wolfgang. In February, he began working as senior outdoor recreation planner with the BLM’s Division of Recreation and Visitor Services at the western headquarters.

Colón will manage more than 35 permanent employees and be responsible for the stewardship of more than 1.2 million acres of public land surrounding the Western Slope’s largest population center, the BLM said in a news release.

“We are thrilled Stacey was selected for her new position and will remain part of BLM Colorado,” Upper Colorado River District Manager Greg Larson said in the release. “A proven leader with diverse management skills and more than 23 years of public service, she is a true asset to our organization and role model for her team.”

Before joining the BLM, Colón spent 20 years in the Marine Corps, starting out as a pilot and project manager, according to the release. She earned a master’s degree in environmental policy and management and then served as director of the environmental, safety and facilities departments on two Marine Corps installations, where she led the interdisciplinary environmental management, facilities, public works, acquisition and engineering, and safety teams during her past five years of service.

Colón initially joined the BLM to serve as administrative officer for its Southwest District in Colorado. She served as acting Southwest District deputy district manager for part of 2022, and later that year joined the Upper Colorado River District as the planning and environmental coordinator.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the Grand Junction Field Office team, and to work with our partners and the public to meet the challenges of multiple use on our public lands on the Western Slope,” Colón said in the release.

She lives in Fruita with her husband and two sons, who all enjoy exploring public lands on the Western Slope and beyond.

Stacey Colón has been selected the new manager of the Bureau of Land Management’s Grand Junction Field Office.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT