After two years of service, Fiona Arnold will step down from her position as executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Monday, Oct. 31.

Arnold will return to her role as owner and president of River North Investment Co., which has focused on commercial and residential urban redevelopment projects, including the redevelopment of a city block in the River North (RiNo) District of Denver.

Previously, Arnold served as executive vice president and general counsel for Vail Resorts, was associate general counsel at Western Gas Resources (now a part of Anadarko Petroleum), and vice president of legal and business affairs at Crown Media Holdings in Greenwood Village.

“Fiona’s leadership has been invaluable as Colorado continues to enjoy one of the top economies in the country,” said Hickenlooper in a news release. “Her data-driven strategy for growth will ensure that Colorado’s economy remains among the best in the nation. We thank her for her incredible service.”

The office includes the Colorado Tourism Office, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado International Trade Office, Colorado Small Business Development Centers, Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media, The Minority and Women-Owned Business Office, and economic research.

Arnold called her time as head of the office “a remarkably rewarding and unique opportunity to step aside from private industry for a period of time … And an eye-opening privilege to get to know and work with the talented, dedicated and passionate team at (the office), with the support of the governor’s office and alongside our partners across state agencies and in communities throughout the state …”

Arnold’s last day will be Dec. 15. A search for her replacement is underway.