Governor Announces Updates to Cabinet

DENVER - Today, Governor Jared Polis announced an update to his cabinet.

Earlier this Fall, Governor Polis announced that Rick Garcia would be transitioning from Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and thanked Rick for his service to the people of Colorado. 

Governor Polis is pleased to appoint Maria De Cambra to serve as Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs. 

“Maria has been a core member of our team since day one of this administration and we have worked side by side to address the challenges of Coloradans. During her time in the Governor’s Office, Maria has delivered results and taken on the greatest issues facing our state. Her problem-solving abilities and strategic leadership, as well as her vast experience in removing state and local government barriers to housing, will make her an effective leader at DOLA and help Colorado tackle our housing crisis,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

Maria is one the longest-serving Communications and Community Engagement Directors for a Colorado governor. 

“It's an honor to be appointed to lead the Department of Local Affairs, whose work is critical in the lives of Coloradans and to solve our housing crisis,” said Maria De Cambra. “The issues the agency is working on are the cornerstone of the governor’s agenda. I look forward to carrying out his vision for the people of Colorado and I am excited to work with amazing local government leaders across our state to tackle the challenges facing Coloradans and our communities” 

Prior to serving as the Governor’s Communications and Community Engagement Director, Maria was Mayor Pro-Tem to the city of Westminster becoming the first Venezuelan-American woman to hold office in the country. Maria has spent almost two decades leading community organizing and public policy efforts. Maria has served as the Westminster City Council Liaison to the Adams County Economic Development Board, the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Human Services Board, the Northern Area Transit Alliance (NATA), and the Colorado Municipal League (CML) Policy Committee. In 2008, she was awarded the “Grassroots Organizer of the Year Award” by the American Immigration Lawyers Association Colorado Chapter. In 2020, she was awarded the “40 under 40” award by the Denver Business Journal. In 2017, Maria completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.

Following Maria’s departure, current Press Secretary Conor Cahill will serve as acting Communications Director and Deputy Chief of Staff Danielle Oliveto will oversee Community Engagement, in addition to internal operations for the Governor’s Office, including constituent services, correspondence and scheduling.  

Maria will officially begin at DOLA on December 4. Rick’s last day in the office will be December 15th.

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