Few figures in Colorado’s public and nonprofit sectors have moved between government, energy, and outdoor recreation as fluidly as Chris Castilian. Over more than two decades, Chris Castilian has served as a governor’s deputy chief of staff, led Great Outdoors Colorado, and taken the helm of the National Ski Patrol as its chief executive.
That range, from the state capitol to a Fortune 500 energy company to the ski slopes, sets him apart from most nonprofit leaders in the region. Today, Chris Castilian continues shaping Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry through roles at Colorado Mountain College and the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.
Who Is Chris Castilian in Colorado’s Civic Life
Chris Castilian is a Colorado attorney, former state government official, and nonprofit executive whose career spans public policy, energy, and outdoor recreation. He is a fourth-generation Coloradan, a background that shows up repeatedly in his choice of employers and causes.
His resume reads less like a straight climb up one ladder and more like a tour through the institutions that shape Colorado’s outdoors and civic life, from the governor’s office to a state wildlife commission to the boardrooms of energy and higher education.
Chris Castilian Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Christopher “Chris” Castilian |
| Profession | Attorney, nonprofit executive, public affairs and outdoor recreation leader |
| Known For | Deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens; executive director, Great Outdoors Colorado; CEO, National Ski Patrol |
| Education | B.A., French and Political Science, California Lutheran University; J.D., University of Denver College of Law |
| Current Roles (as of 2026) | Senior Executive Director, Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry Program, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver; strategic advisor, Colorado Mountain College outdoor industry programs |
| Hometown / Residence | Colorado (fourth-generation Coloradan) |
| Spouse | Chantell Taylor (University of Denver College of Law graduate) |
| Notable Interest | Ultra-endurance mountain biking, including 11 finishes of the Leadville Trail 100 |
Early Life and Education of Chris Castilian
Chris Castilian grew up in Colorado and has described himself as a fourth-generation Coloradan, a detail that has anchored much of his professional identity. That local grounding later informed his shift toward land, wildlife, and outdoor recreation work.
For his undergraduate studies, he earned a bachelor of arts in French and political science from California Lutheran University. He then returned to Colorado to pursue law, earning his juris doctor from the University of Denver College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado, a credential that shaped his later work in public affairs and government relations.
Legal Career and Political Service in Colorado
Early in his career, Chris Castilian chose public service over a traditional law-firm track. He served as deputy chief of staff to Colorado Governor Bill Owens, handling policy and legislative matters during the governor’s second term.
Before and after his time in the governor’s office, he held several state and industry roles. He directed the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, served as legislative director for Colorado Counties, Inc., and worked as deputy director for the Colorado region of the Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Association. He was also of counsel at the Denver law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, representing clients in government and public affairs.
Corporate Experience at Anadarko Petroleum
Between his public-sector roles, Chris Castilian spent time in the private sector as director of engagement and strategy at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in Denver, a major energy producer in the region. The position gave him experience managing corporate and community relationships around natural resources, a skill set that carried directly into his later conservation work.
Leadership at Great Outdoors Colorado GOCO
The role that most defined Chris Castilian’s public profile was his four-year tenure as executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), a state conservation funder that invests Colorado Lottery proceeds into parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open space.
During his time at GOCO, he oversaw more than $270 million in grant awards. His tenure included a $17.3 million land acquisition that became a new state park, the creation of the Resilient Communities Program to support Colorado communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a new strategic plan centered on equitable access to the outdoors. He also helped grow the Generation Wild initiative, which connects kids across Colorado to outdoor experiences.
National Ski Patrol CEO Chapter and Departure
In mid-2021, Chris Castilian left GOCO to become chief executive officer of the National Ski Patrol (NSP), a Lakewood, Colorado-based nonprofit with roughly 31,000 members that trains and supports ski patrollers nationwide. The board hired him after a search that drew more than 250 applicants, and he began the role in July 2021.
As NSP’s CEO, he was responsible for membership programs, fundraising, sponsorships, and serving as the organization’s public face. However, the role proved short-lived. In August 2022, he resigned after just over a year, citing what he described as fundamentally different visions for the organization’s future compared with its board. Stephanie Cox succeeded him later that year.
Colorado Mountain College and Auraria Roles
After leaving GOCO and before his NSP resignation became final, Chris Castilian also took on a strategic advisor role at Colorado Mountain College, helping align the college’s academic and training programs with the needs of the outdoor recreation industry across its mountain-community campuses.
More recently, he served as chief operations officer of the Auraria Higher Education Center, the state entity that manages the shared downtown Denver campus used by the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver. That role placed him at the operational center of one of Colorado’s largest higher education complexes.
Current Role at Daniels College of Business, University of Denver
As of 2026, Chris Castilian serves as Senior Executive Director of the Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry Program in the Office of the Dean at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. The program connects his decades of public, private, and nonprofit experience directly to training the next generation of outdoor industry leaders.
Boards, Commissions and Civic Involvement
Chris Castilian’s civic resume extends well beyond his paid roles. Governor John Hickenlooper appointed him to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission in 2011, and he chaired the commission from 2015 to 2016. He also chaired the Colorado Creative Industries Council, formerly the Colorado Council on the Arts, from 2005 to 2011.
He has served on the boards of the Colorado Community College System Foundation, the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Downtown Denver Inc., and the Civic Center Conservancy, and previously sat on the board of volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. He is also a trustee for the National Western Stock Show and serves on its Junior Livestock Auction Committee.
Mountain Biking and Outdoor Life
Outside his professional roles, Chris Castilian is an avid ultra-endurance mountain biker. He has completed the grueling Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race 11 times, along with other endurance events including the Breck Epic. In podcast interviews, he has credited the discipline of ultra-endurance racing with shaping his approach to leadership and long-term problem solving.
When he is not racing or working, he spends time restoring a 1970 Airstream trailer and backcountry skiing with his dogs, whom he and his family affectionately call The Hellhounds.
Personal Information of Chris Castilian
This section brings together the personal details Chris Castilian has shared publicly through his professional biography and interviews. Fields without a confirmed public source are marked accordingly rather than estimated.
Full Name
Chris Castilian’s full name is Christopher Castilian.
Nationality
Chris Castilian is American and describes himself as a fourth-generation Coloradan.
Education
Chris Castilian completed a bachelor of arts in French and political science at California Lutheran University and a juris doctor at the University of Denver College of Law.
Hobbies
Chris Castilian enjoys ultra-endurance mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and restoring a vintage 1970 Airstream trailer.
Marital Status
Chris Castilian is married.
Spouse
Chris Castilian is married to Chantell Taylor, who is also a University of Denver College of Law graduate.
Children
Chris Castilian has two bonus daughters, Veda and Riley, as noted in his own published biography.
Ethnicity, Religion, Birth Date and Family Background
Chris Castilian has not publicly disclosed his date of birth, exact birthplace, ethnicity, religion, or the names of his parents and siblings. Not publicly disclosed for these fields, and this article does not estimate them.
Physical Appearance
Chris Castilian is known publicly through his professional and outdoor pursuits rather than through modeling or entertainment coverage, so detailed physical statistics have not been published by any credible source.
Height, weight, eye color, hair color, body type, skin tone, shoe size, tattoos, piercings, and other physical details: Not publicly disclosed. Photos from his university and organizational biographies show an active, outdoors-oriented build consistent with his decade-long ultra-endurance cycling background, but no verified measurements exist in the public record.
Social Media Profiles
Chris Castilian maintains a professional presence primarily on LinkedIn, with an additional Instagram account associated with his dogs referenced in his university biography.
Christopher Castilian
Instagram (dogs’ account, referenced in his official bio)
@cohellhounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chris Castilian?
Chris Castilian is a Colorado attorney and nonprofit executive known for serving as deputy chief of staff to Governor Bill Owens, executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado, and CEO of the National Ski Patrol.
What does Chris Castilian do now?
As of 2026, Chris Castilian is Senior Executive Director of the Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry Program at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.
Why did Chris Castilian leave the National Ski Patrol?
He resigned as NSP CEO in August 2022, saying his vision for the organization’s future differed too sharply from the board’s for the two sides to align.
What did Chris Castilian do at Great Outdoors Colorado?
He led GOCO for four years, overseeing more than $270 million in grants, a $17.3 million state park land acquisition, and a new equity-focused strategic plan.
Where did Chris Castilian go to college?
He earned a bachelor’s degree from California Lutheran University and a law degree from the University of Denver College of Law.
Is Chris Castilian a lawyer?
Yes. Chris Castilian holds a juris doctor and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, though he has spent most of his career in public service and nonprofit leadership rather than private practice.
Was Chris Castilian involved in Colorado politics?
Yes. He served as deputy chief of staff to Governor Bill Owens and was later appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to chair the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.
Did Chris Castilian work in the oil and gas industry?
Yes. He worked as director of engagement and strategy at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and earlier served the Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Association’s Colorado region.
What sports does Chris Castilian compete in?
He is an ultra-endurance mountain biker who has finished the Leadville Trail 100 eleven times, along with the Breck Epic stage race.
Is Chris Castilian married?
Yes. Chris Castilian is married to Chantell Taylor, a fellow University of Denver College of Law graduate, and the couple has two daughters.
What boards has Chris Castilian served on?
He has served on boards including the Colorado Community College System Foundation, the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Downtown Denver Inc., and the Civic Center Conservancy, and is a trustee of the National Western Stock Show.
Did Chris Castilian work at Auraria Higher Education Center?
Yes. He served as chief operations officer at Auraria Higher Education Center, which manages Denver’s shared downtown campus for three institutions.
Conclusion
Chris Castilian’s career traces an unusual path through Colorado government, energy, land conservation, and outdoor recreation leadership. From the governor’s office to Great Outdoors Colorado to the National Ski Patrol, he has repeatedly moved toward organizations tied to Colorado’s land and outdoor culture, even when those roles ended on his own terms rather than a smooth exit.
His current work at the University of Denver keeps him close to the industry he has spent two decades shaping. Anyone researching Colorado’s outdoor recreation leadership will keep running into his name, and for good reason.
