Our speaker this month will be John Swartout. Mr. Swartout is the Rural Policy and Outreach Director for Governor Hickenlooper. He is the Administration’s point person on rural issues, especially in regards to interfacing local governments with the federal government. John has over 20 years of experience with natural resources, environmental, agricultural, land use, and water policy in Colorado. He has experience with public policy at every level of government. He has worked extensively with Federal Government, Local Governments, State Agencies and Non-Profit Organizations. John served as Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts (CCLT). He served Governor Bill Owens and US Senator Wayne Allard as senior policy advisory for natural resources, agriculture, and environmental policy.