RMRA Board of Directors
Your Job Title & place of work: Ranger Naturalist, Louisville Open Space & Parks
What does your job title entail? A little bit of everything! I patrol parks and open spaces to enforce rules and regulations, respond to emergencies, support other staff with natural resource management and maintenance tasks, and plan, organize, and facilitate education and outreach events.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I worked for six seasons with the Boulder County Youth Corps, which made me fall in love with working outside. I then worked for six seasons as a Seasonal Park Ranger with Boulder County Parks and Open Space before earning my current position with the City of Louisville. I gained education experience from planning my Youth Corps team’s environmental education lessons, and then by teaching English in France two years.
What do you like about working in this field? I like the opportunity to help people in emergencies and to act as an ambassador who connects them with public lands. I also love having the privilege of defending natural lands so they will be around for future generations of people and wildlife to enjoy.
Why did you join RMRA? My experience as a seasonal in my field showed me how important it was to have connections with other agencies. I hungered for mentorship and networking opportunities that were relatively hard to find. Our region is interconnected, with problems and challenges that don’t stop at the border of an agency’s jurisdiction. By sharing resources and mentoring new rangers, we can better face the issues confronting public lands management and cultivate the best talent with which to accomplish this goal.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I am a published author of science fiction and historical fiction and a semi-professional competition target shooter. I am a passionate student of history and have given lectures in schools and museums about the First World War and the evolution of military tactics. Finally, I like all the usual ranger activities: hiking, camping, and wildlife photography.
Favorite quote: “There are risks and costs to action, but they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.” – John F. Kennedy
Benjamin White-Patarino - Chair
Your Job Title & place of work: Senior Park Ranger, Boulder County Parks and Open Space
What does your job title entail? As a Senior Park Ranger my duties include supervising and training both full time and seasonal park rangers. Out of the office I patrol county parks interacting with visitors, enforcing rules, and responding to various emergencies. I am bilingual in Spanish and work closely with out Latinx communities.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I knew I wanted to be a park ranger from an early age and started working for the Forest Service as a seasonal right out of high school in 2010. From there I earned my Bachelor of Science from Unity College in Maine in Conservation Law Enforcement and received my Master of Science in Conservation Biology from University of Northern Colorado. I worked every summer for the Forest Service throughout my graduate and undergraduate degrees until 2016 and landed a full time Park Ranger position with the City of Aurora in 2017. One year later I accepted a position with Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a fully commissioned Park Ranger and worked at Cherry Creek State Park until 2021 before moving into my current role as Senior Park Ranger with Boulder County Parks and Open Space.
What do you like about working in this field? Providing opportunities for positive visitor experiences. This can range from everyday visitor contacts and outreach programs to various emergency situations.
Why did you join RMRA? Seeing the surge of visitors to open space during COVID made me see the importance and impact of rangers supporting rangers. We have such unique jobs that supporting one another through an association like RMRA is the best way to continue growing both personally and professionally. I want to continue recruiting members from ranger organizations throughout the state so we can combine resources and not feel so alone or overwhelmed with the tasks we all share.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? When not working I enjoy hiking, camping, and paddleboarding with my family. You can also find my husband and I binging the latest Netflix series.
Favorite quote: ‘”Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss The Lorax
Lucero Torres - Vice Chair
Previous Vice Chair of RMRA
Your Job Title & place of work: Park Ranger Jefferson County Colorado
What does your job title entail? Education, Emergency Response, and Law Enforcement
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I have a wide range of experiences which lead me the career of Park Ranger. I joined the Army after high school and served as an Infantryman/Paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Division. After I got out of the Army, I went to school and guided backpacking and canoeing trips for the next decade. I got my master’s degree from Naropa University in Wilderness Therapy and moved to Indian Hills where I joined the fire department as an EMT and a wildland firefighter. Once I discovered the parks of Jefferson County, I knew immediately this was the place I have been called to. Becoming a Jeffco Park Ranger was a natural fit for my experiences and I continue to expand my skillset everyday while patrolling the foothills of Jeffco.
What do you like about working in this field? Interacting with the public is my favorite part of the job. We get over 7 million visitors to Jefferson County Parks annually and I meet people from all walks of life.
Why did you join RMRA? I joined RMRA because I love helping people figure out how to become a Park Ranger. It is difficult to navigate seasonal jobs, trainings/certifications, and understanding the wide variety of land management organizations in Colorado. Once I got my first fulltime job as a Park Ranger, I wanted to help others be successful in reaching their goals of becoming a Park Ranger.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Fishing and whistling.
Favorite quote: If you hang out in the barber shop long enough, eventually you will get a haircut.
Billy Hall - Awards Committee Chair
Your Job Title & place of work:
- Retired Park Ranger for South Suburban Parks and Recreation District
- Retired Park Ranger for the City and County of Denver
What did your job title entail?
Natural resource management, ensuring visitor safety, developing and leading interpretive programs, enforcing park rules and regulations, hiring and training seasonal rangers, etc.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
- AmeriCorps Interpretive Trail Project volunteer for Mason Neck State Park
- Three years as an environmental educator/ rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking instructor.
- Certified in CIG, MHFA, First Aid/CPR, ACA instructor, OC, Baton, Lidar/Radar
What do you like about working in this field?
I love that I get to spend my time outside, providing a safe space for people in my community to recreate and connecting people with the environment.
Why did you join RMRA?
I believe the best way to develop best practices is by connecting with others in similar fields to share information. This organization is going to be great for information sharing, networking, professional development, shared trainings, etc.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Traveling, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and spending time with family, friends, and dog.
Favorite quote:
“We shall never achieve harmony with the land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve, but to strive.” – Aldo Leopold
Sarah Moore - Website and Branding Committee Chair
Your Job Title & place of work: Community Engagement Park Ranger, Boulder County Parks and Open Space
What does your job title entail? As a Community Engagement Ranger I perform a variety of duties that allow me to form diverse connections with the public! I patrol our parks and open spaces to ensure resource and visitor protection. Other main duties are to serve as the program coordinator for the Left Hand Outdoor Challenge youth program and liaison for community engagement outreach efforts for underrepresented communities.
What are your credentials/experience, for working in your position? I have been in the natural resource field for more than 10 years. I graduated from CSU-Fort Collins with a Zoology Degree. I am First Responder, Certified Interpretive Guide and Ice Water Rescue. I'm also bilingual in English/Spanish.
What do you like about working in this field? The versatility nature and broad range of duties park rangers perform to preserve and protect the outdoors/people.
Why did you join RMRA? To connect with ranger agencies and share ideas, professional resources and training opportunities.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Reading, running and exploring new areas to hike with family, friends and two fur babies (dogs).
Favorite quote: “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed”-Theodore Roosevelt
Sully Tun-Ake - Funding Committee Chair
Your Job Title & place of work: Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services. Park Ranger in the TOPS Division
What does your job title entail? Like many other park rangers, my title entails me wearing many different hats. (Aside from my western ranger hat, I wear daily lol.) The largest portion of my duties lies with park maintenance and trail landscaping as well as normal housekeeping duties. I am also responsible for patrolling our various parks in a soft role of enforcing park rules and regulations. Community outreach and educational program are a few of my favorite activities I am responsible for providing. Finally, there is the healthy load of admin work that comes along with the position.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I have been a park ranger for over eight years now with a variety of different agencies, in a variety of different fields, in a variety of different states. I have experience in Aquatic Invasive Species, Interpretation, Maintenance, and Law Enforcement.
What do you like about working in this field? As an avid outdoorsman I have always loved being outside and being able to share my experiences in the field with others. Many recreates
Why did you join RMRA? I have always dreamed of an agency run by rangers for rangers, as our field of work is so specialized we have our own fit in society. During my time at the academy I was the only Park Ranger so while I felt part of the family I also felt different, in that regard I believe RMRA will be a new family for our field.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I am an avid outdoorsman who loves to hunt, fish, and hike. I am also a social creature who loves to spend time with friends at game nights, movie nights, and other such activities.
Favorite quote: ‘If you aren’t laughing you aren’t living!”
Mike Bowman - Treasurer
Your Job Title & place of work: Park Ranger Supervisor, City and County of Denver
What does your job title entail? As a Park Ranger Supervisor for the City and County of Denver my primary focus is to maximize public safety, protect park resources and provide service to visitors.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I first gained experience as a ranger in a volunteer position through Americorps working at Leesylvania State Park in Virginia. I came to Denver in April of 2020 as a seasonal ranger and became a full time Senior Ranger in November of 2021. In March of 2023 I was promoted to Park Ranger Supervisor. I currently hold or am in the process of obtaining certifications such as Wilderness First Responder, Red card, Certified Interpretive Guide trainer, Mental Health First Aid, CPR/First Aid, and OC training, amongst others.
What do you like about working in this field? I love the fact that every day is unique. Working in downtown Denver, our days can be centered around anything from addressing encampments and picking up trash to dog off leash focus patrols and resolving permitting disputes.
Why did you join RMRA? I was excited about joining a group where myself and my agency could learn from other agencies in the area. Being able to share our resources to strengthen both ourselves and other programs thoroughout the region is something I believe will help us all protect our parks and provide better service to our visitors.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love to rock climb, hike with my fiance and our two dogs, travel, and go to as many concerts and comedy shows as I am able to!
Favorite quote: “And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.” - Kurt Vonnegut
Alec Moore - Events Chair
Your Job Title & place of work: Lead Park Ranger at South Suburban Parks and Recreation
What does your job title entail? I work with the rest of the South Suburban ranger team patrolling our parks to make sure visitors have a safe an enjoyable experience. We provide educational programing, natural resource management, rule enforcement, wildlife management, emergency response, and just about everything in between. During the summer months you can find me working with our other lead ranger to train and supervise our seasonal park rangers.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I have a degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University. After graduating college I knew I wanted to be out working in the field so I jumped at a seasonal park ranger opportunity with Denver Parks and Recreation. I spent several years doing seasonal work for them as well as a season with the City of Lakewood. I’ve been working full time as a park ranger for South Suburban since February of 2022. I am a certified OC and Leave no Trace instructor and hold certifications in multiple job related skills.
What do you like about working in this field?There are so many aspects of this job that I enjoy, but my favorite is the people that I meet. I love getting to hear about what makes our parks special to the people who visit them. The enthusiasm visitors bring helps me to appreciate all aspects of our parks and I often find myself learning new things from them.
Why did you join RMRA? I joined RMRA because I wanted to meet and learn from other park rangers. I believe having an organization dedicated to bringing park rangers together is incredibly important because there is so much we can learn from one another and we are stronger as a team.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? When I’m not working you can find me fishing, either on the ice or on my kayak. I also enjoy cooking, camping, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family and friends.
Favorite quote: “We are shaped by each other. We adjust not to the reality of a world, but to the reality of other thinkers.” — Joseph Chilton Pearce
Madeline Fraser - Communications Chair
Your Job Title & place of work: Ranger Supervisor, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources - Horsetooth Reservoir District
What does your job title entail? Supervising Seasonal Ranger corps, enforcing Larimer County Department of Natural Resource regulations and Colorado Revised Statute on Larimer County property, responding to and providing patient care during medical emergencies on Larimer County property.
What are your credentials/experience for working in your position? I spent 2.5 years as a seasonal ranger for LCDNR in Estes Park, then 3 years with the City of Louisville where I developed and implemented their first Ranger program, and returned to Larimer County in 2020 as a fully commissioned Ranger at Horsetooth Reservoir.
What do you like about working in this field? I love that no two days are the same and I am constantly learning new skills everyday. I also enjoy working with the seasonal crew and watching them learn and grow their skills in communication and law enforcement.
Why did you join RMRA? During my time with Louisville, I was tasked with forging a relationship among the citizens, the police department, and members of City Council in order to combine the goals of providing beautiful open space properties to experience nature while implementing a law enforcement model which kept these areas and the citizens therein safe. This task proved challenging, and I often lamented to former RMRA Chair, Jason Vroman, about the lack of information and resources available for creating and running a successful ranger program. I was lucky to have contacts and professional relationships with my former employers at Larimer County and often solicited advice from the neighboring agencies but still found difficulties in navigating certain challenges coming from a smaller and younger program. A few months later, I received information from Jason that I was not alone in my endeavors, and he had been working with different agencies across the state to assemble a group of rangers to address some of these issues; I was invited to assist in a session at the 2019 COSA conference and joined a subsequent working group for what would become the Rocky Mountain Ranger Association. Probationary measures required me to step down from my involvement when I accepted my current position with Larimer County, but I sought to rejoin the RMRA board as soon as I was able in order to continue my goal of supporting a unified resource for rangers in the region.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I spend my down time training my lab/malinois mix named Bean, trail running, and collecting houseplants (I currently have 32!)
Favorite quote: "Despite the Storm, Live Like Spring"
Aubrey Hilte - Chair At Large
Your Job Title & place of work:
Park Ranger II, for the City of Lakewood, CO Community Resources Department
What does your job title entail?
Serving all City of Lakewood Parks & Open Space visitors as a Limited-Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer, Emergency Medical Responder, and Wildland Firefighter. In addition, acting as a Field Training Officer for new & returning variable ranger staff, while managing the Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program.
What are your credentials/past experience for working in your position?
Since the Spring of 2019, I have served as a Limited-Commissioned Park Ranger and Animal Protection Officer throughout the Denver Metro Area. Agencies have included the City & County of Denver, the City of Aurora, Adams County, the City of Commerce City, and (currently) the City of Lakewood. Currently, I'm a certified BICP Level 1 Fundamental Skills, Defense Technology OC Aerosol, and Peacekeeper Expandable Baton Instructor, who has accumulated over 60 Hours of Supplemental Career Development & Steward Leadership training.
What do you like about working in this field?
I enjoy serving & protecting the parks and open space visitors, staff, and natural resources. The diversity of job duties and calls for service adds a level of complexity and challenge that I value greatly, and continues to enhance my expertise as a First Responder.
Why did you join RMRA?
After investing several years of working as a variable and/or contracted park ranger to earn a FTE position, I joined RMRA in hopes of providing any assistance/resources I can to other ranger agencies and staff, trying to enhance their department or (individual) career goals.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Outside of work, I can be found recreating through archery, fishing, hunting, kayaking, mountain biking, trail running/hiking, wildlife viewing, and visiting State & National Parks throughout the US. This 2024/2025 winter season, I hope to continue developing my skiing skills, and explore the various resorts Colorado has to offer.
Favorite quote:
"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." - Marcus Aurelius
Matthew Bonano - Training Co-Chair
Your Job Title & place of work:
Big Thompson District Manager/Patrol Lieutenant Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. Currently my office is in Estes Park, Colorado at Hermit Park Open Space. I have the honor of serving the citizens and visitors of Larimer County, ensuring a safe experience in the outdoors. Connecting people and nature.
What are your credentials/past experience for working in your position?
I have worked for Larimer County since 2006 and served with the United States Army Active/Reserves since 2007. With the continued combined service of these affiliations, I have earned the following certifications; National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Basic (Combat Medic) 2007, Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) certification 2011, Field Training Officer POST certified 2015, Defensive Tactics Arrest Control Instructor POST certified 2016, Anti-Terrorism Officer Level II 2017, Terrorism Liaison Officer 2017, American Heart Association CPR/AED instructor 2018. Physical Security Officer 2019, Security Manage Officer 2023, Firearms Instructor POST certified 2023. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Tactics
What do you like about working in this field?
I truly enjoyed the dynamic unpredictable nature of being a ranger. One day could encompass enforcement, medical response, or a resource project.
Why did you join RMRA?
After some many years in service and changing responsibilities, I strive to facilitate the success of those around me ensuring they have the best training available. I felt my involvement in Rocky Ranger Association was important to continue my professional growth.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Time spent with family hiking, hunting, or camping is how I regain my center. In addition, if you hear the Great Highland Bagpipe while spending time in the mountains, I might be close.
Favorite quote:
“Without Courage, all other virtues lose their meaning.” Sir Winston Churchill 1939
Zack Cook - Training Co-Chair
Your Job Title & place of work: Sr. Ranger Supervisor, Fort Collins Natural Areas Department
What does your job title entail? Supervision of Ranger program consisting of two Lead Rangers and six field-going Natural Areas and Trails Rangers.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?. Twenty six years as a full-time Ranger for multiple-organizations. Prior interim Ranger Supervisor leading to full-time posting.
What do you like about working in this field? Variety of duties, challenges related to field work, working in mid-level managerial setting in a land management agency.
Why did you join RMRA? Interest in promotion of the profession throughout Colorado and being of service to the membership wherever I can.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Staying physically very active, exploring, travelling, trying and rarely perfecting new hobbies.
Favorite quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”