Program Officer - North

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces.

Our independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and invests through Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Created by Colorado voters in 1992 through a constitutional amendment, GOCO has since invested $1.7 billion in more than 5,900 projects across all 64 counties.

The Program Officer reports to the Assistant Director of Programs with frequent and substantive interaction with the Director of Programs, Executive Director, and the GOCO board.

• Collaborate with the Director and Assistant Director of Programs and fellow Program Officers to implement GOCO’s full program portfolio, including twice-annual base programs (Land Acquisition, Community Impact, and Pathways).
• Lead or co-lead assigned annual, partner, or special programs (e.g.,Generation Wild, RESTORE Colorado, Conservation Service Corps, CPW initiatives, Transaction Cost Assistance Program, tribal partnerships, and other emerging priorities).
• Support all phases of the grant cycle—from calendar development, outreach, concept, and application development, through review, recommendation, and post-award support.
• Evaluate and align partner projects with GOCO’s funding priorities and program values.
• Conduct site visits, assess proposals, and prepare grant recommendations for internal, peer, and board review.
• Prepare and present grant recommendations to the appropriate board committees and the full board.
• Work with finance and grants staff to administer awards, process modifications, and close out projects efficiently.
• Work with program staff and partners to ensure equitable access to GOCO funding and make grantmaking processes clear and efficient.

• Serve as GOCO’s primary contact and ambassador for partners and communities in the North Central region.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with local governments, land trusts, nonprofits, state and federal agencies, and other regional stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration across partners to leverage funding, technical assistance, and shared goals in conservation, recreation, and access.
• Engage partners to understand local needs and ensure GOCO’s core values—resource conservation, stewardship, community vitality, equitable access, and youth connections—are reflected in project ideas.
• Represent GOCO at regional meetings, public events, and state or national conferences; prepare and deliver presentations as needed.

• Contribute to ongoing evaluation of GOCO’s program portfolio to measure outcomes, demonstrate effectiveness, and identify areas for improvement.
• Participate in developing and implementing strategies to assess program impact and alignment with GOCO’s values.
• Support portfolio analyses and gap assessments to inform future grantmaking and program refinement.
• Share insights, best practices, and partner stories to strengthen organizational learning and transparency.

• Share expertise and regional insights with colleagues, board members, and partners.
• Clearly communicate opportunities, challenges, and recommendations internally and externally.
• Work with communications staff to develop program-related materials, success stories, and public engagement strategies.
• Represent GOCO at grantee events and coordinate staff or board participation as needed; work with communications staff to prepare speaking points, as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with the finance and operations team to administer the grants database and mapping functions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Four years of demonstrated professional experience.
• A demonstrated commitment to customer service, a positive and constructive approach, a practice of working with others, and a proven ability to build relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures.
• A commitment to furthering GOCO’s mission to preserve, protect, and enhance…