Jackie Miller will be the next executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado, the organization that spends state lottery money on state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces.

Miller has been the interim executive director since July 1, 2021, replacing Chris Castilian. Castilian, who left after four years in to become CEO of National Ski Patrol. Castilian also serves as a strategic advisor to Colorado Mountain College.

Miller had served as director of programs since 2013 and has been part of GOCO for for more than 15 years. She was approved by the 17-member board.

“Jackie Miller has demonstrated leadership, vision and tenacity in her dedication to GOCO,” said Mo Siegel, who chairs the board. “Her background in program development and grant management and her honed experience in strategic planning position her and her staff for success. Jackie is a listener and a relationship builder, and she cares deeply about GOCO’s partners and Colorado’s communities.”

Gov. Jared Polis called the organization a “critical partner” to the state, including the Department of Natural Resources.

“GOCO is an important source of support for making our great outdoors even more amazing,” Polis said in a statement. “I look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to ensure local vitality, better health, and equitable access to the outdoors for all Coloradans.”

Miller called it a privilege to work with “passionate, expert individuals working in many sectors of outdoor life in Colorado.”

“I am honored for this opportunity to weave the network together, seek out alignment and bring people and organizations together around shared visions with meaningful outcomes for our state.” said said in a statement.

She recently produced the latest strategic plan to spent a expected $330 million from the state lottery. The organization was created after voters approved a 1992 to invest half the state’s proceeds from the lottery outdoors and the rest on schools. GOCO has supported more than 5,400 projects since.

“GOCO has been a champion for the state’s outdoors for 29 years, and it is with supreme gratitude to the people of this state that we will continue to thoughtfully invest Colorado Lottery proceeds in projects that boost communities, improve health, protect land and water, and ensure healthy wildlife habitat,” Miller continued.

“The outdoors is at the heart of our way of life here. I am proud of GOCO’s role in ensuring it remains so for future generations of Coloradans and thrilled to commit the next phase of my career to serving GOCO’s mission and you all.”