Gov. John Hickenlooper’s trusted spokeswoman Kathy Green is saying goodbye to a terrible 2016 with a new job opportunity in a much more hopeful new year.

After two-and-a-half years serving as the governor’s communications director, Green is leaving government for private consulting, a move that is sure to sadden many in the cabinet and Colorado media world.

“This has been the job of a lifetime, but I’m looking forward to getting a bit of my life back,” said Green, who has had to juggle the fast-paced life working for a dynamic, high-profile governor whose work often takes him to the national stage.

This past year was Green’s most turbulent, as it was in the midst of a presidential election in which Hickenlooper played a key role as a surrogate for Democrat Hillary Clinton. The uncertainties and inquiries surrounding the election were a constant shadow over the office, as the governor continued to have to grapple with Colorado’s own issues and local elections.

Questions over whether Hickenlooper would be tapped as Clinton’s running mate, or for her cabinet, were a regular occurrence.

“Doing communications for a governor’s office has got to be one of the hardest jobs there is,” said Hickenlooper, who personally encouraged Green to come on as his communications director in 2014.

“The ability of someone like Kathy to put up with sometimes really irrational individuals… her ability to put up with the best and the worst and always have a positive face on it, to always be in a good mood, that’s remarkable.

“When you do that job right, which she did, it’s pretty much 24 hours a day… It takes its toll.”

The election-with its constant acrimony from all sides-was something Green had to field on the front lines. But she is hopeful for opportunities in the new year.

“I”m heading back to the consulting world after the State of the State with the hopes of finding a little more time for my family and myself,” said Green, who is married to Fox31 Denver Daybreak anchor Tom Green.

The State of the State is scheduled for Jan. 12 and Green’s last day is scheduled for the day after.

“I am grateful to the governor for the opportunity, and so proud to be part of this team,” Green added. “They have taught and inspired me every day and I’m proud of the work we’ve done for Colorado.”

When Green came on in 2014, she had large shoes to fill, replacing the stern but always helpful Eric Brown. Green had a different style than Brown, a bit more cheerful and uplifting, but Green could be a firecracker when she needed to be.

She also learned quickly that responsiveness is the name of the game, having to deal with several impatient reporters, myself included on many occasions.

Despite some adversarial exchanges with reporters over the years-that’s just the nature of the relationship-Green somehow managed to stay well regarded in the press corps.

Prior to her communications role for the governor, Green worked communications in the Office of Economic Development, International Trade and Tourism.

A search is underway in the governor’s office for Green’s replacement.

“She had and has such a positive effect on literally everybody in the governor’s office,” Hickenlooper said. “It’s hard to imagine a world without her there.”