Suzanne O’Neill Steps Down as Executive Director, Transitions to Policy Advisor Role
DENVER, CO — July 10, 2026 — The Colorado Wildlife Federation (CWF) today announced that Suzanne O’Neill, who has served as the organization’s Executive Director with extraordinary dedication and impact, will be transitioning from her executive leadership role to serve as Policy Advisor to CWF. This transition marks a new and exciting chapter for both Suzanne and the organization she has helped shape into Colorado’s most effective voice for wildlife conservation.
The Colorado Wildlife Federation — Colorado’s oldest and most effective wildlife conservation organization, with more than 70 years of advocacy for the state’s fish, wildlife, and habitats — is deeply grateful for Suzanne’s tireless commitment and the indelible mark she has left on the Federation and on conservation in Colorado.
Suzanne brought a rare and powerful combination of legal expertise and natural resources and wildlife policy knowledge to CWF’s leadership. A former practicing attorney and consultant, she earned her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver. Under her stewardship, CWF strengthened its advocacy presence at the state capitol, deepened its engagement with critical wildlife policy issues, and advanced CWF’s mission of advocating and educating for the conservation of Colorado’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats for all.
“There are simply no words adequate to express the gratitude of this entire organization — our board, our staff, our supporters, and the countless Coloradans who benefit from CWF’s work — for everything Suzanne has given to this mission,” said Tim Emery, President and Board Chair of the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “Suzanne has been the backbone of CWF’s advocacy efforts for years. Her legal acumen, her mastery of natural resources and wildlife policy, and her genuine, abiding love for Colorado’s wildlife have elevated this organization in ways that will be felt for decades to come. We are profoundly thankful for her leadership, her sacrifice, and her heart. And while we will deeply miss her at the helm, we are absolutely thrilled that her voice, her expertise, and her passion will continue to guide and strengthen CWF in her new role as Policy Advisor. This is not a goodbye — it is a powerful new chapter.”
In her new capacity as Policy Advisor, Suzanne will bring her depth of experience directly to bear on the policy and advocacy issues that matter most to Colorado’s wildlife and the sportsmen, women, and conservation-minded Coloradans who depend on healthy ecosystems. CWF is enthusiastic about the unique advantage this arrangement provides — allowing the organization to retain an extraordinary resource.
About the Colorado Wildlife Federation
The Colorado Wildlife Federation is Colorado’s oldest and most effective science-driven wildlife conservation organization, with over 70 years of advocacy for the protection of fish, wildlife, and their habitats across the state. CWF’s membership includes anglers, hunters, wildlife photographers, wildlife viewers, and all who believe in the conservation and stewardship of Colorado’s remarkable wildlife heritage.
You can reach Suzanne at her new email: policyadvisor@coloradowildlife.org