Maria De Cambra, Gov. Jared Polis’ communications and community outreach director, will leave that post to join the Department of Local Affairs as its next executive director, effective Dec. 4.

De Cambra succeeds Rick Garcia, who had been at the helm since 2019 and whose final day is Dec. 15. The department figured prominently in the governor’s land use proposal in the 2023 session. The governor’s proposal, which failed, would have turned it into more of a regulatory agency, which drew criticism from local governments that currently enjoy a partnership relationship with the department over the years. 

De Cambra has been with the Polis administration since he took office in 2019. She previously served as the Westminster City Council’s mayor pro-tem and as a senior associate at Hilltop Public Solutions. She 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, and the Colorado Municipal League Policy Committee.

“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,” Polis said in a statement Monday.

“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,” De Cambra said. “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.”

Polis Press Secretary Conor Cahill will step in as interim director of communications. 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.  

De Cambra’s appointment must be confirmed by the state Senate.