Markuson previously served as the director of the Department of Economic Development, Energy and Geographic Information Systems for Pueblo County and as a private consultant helping businesses to expand their operations into new markets. .The group said Markuson’s work will center around identifying and implementing policies and projects statewide to build Colorado’s clean energy economy. This includes helping communities understand, plan for, and implement new renewable projects and expanding emerging clean industries to help meet Colorado’s carbon emissions reduction goals. In addition, Markuson will also work to ensure no community or worker is left behind as the state builds its clean energy economy.

“Chris brings extensive experience and expertise to the organization, and we’re thrilled to bring him aboard to lead our work in Colorado,” said BlueGreen Alliance Western States Director JB Tengco.

Leaders from the Colorado AFL-CIO, Conservation Colorado, Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council, and Western Resource Advocates formed the BlueGreen Alliance Colorado chapter in 2018. Other BlueGreen Alliance Colorado partners include the American Federation of Teachers, Colorado Education Association, Communication Workers of America, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Service Employees International Union, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, and United Steelworkers.

“We are excited to have an individual of Chris’s caliber at the Colorado BlueGreen Alliance,” said Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO. “Family-sustaining, union jobs and protecting the environment are not mutually exclusive, and Chris will work tirelessly to show that through the BlueGreen Alliance.”

“We are eager to work with Chris to ensure that climate action creates a strong economy and good-paying jobs in Colorado,” said Kelly Nordini, Executive Director of Conservation Colorado. “Our state passed a suite of historic climate policies in 2019, but our work is not done. In the years to come, Conservation Colorado and our BlueGreen Alliance partners will continue working together to fully realize these policies, grow our economy, and protect our Colorado way of life.”

Markuson is known as an innovator in economic and community development and public policy. Markuson said his forward-thinking leadership is grounded in principles of community collaboration, sustainability, and human-centered economic development that help to cultivate healthy community and land-use practices.

“I’m excited to join the BlueGreen Alliance and look forward to doing great work promoting good-paying jobs in the clean economy, protecting workers’ rights and safety, shoring up our infrastructure systems, and ensuring that we build an economy that works for all Coloradans,” said Markuson. “This coalition of labor union members and environmentalists—working together—is vital to an enduring future for our state’s economy and natural ecosystems.”

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