Meet the people behind Colorado’s energy

All across Colorado, twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, the more than 232,000 people who make up our state’s oil and natural gas industry are hard at work creating the energy that powers our daily lives and strengthens our communities. No matter if they put on a uniform, pick up a hard hat, or sit down in front of a computer screen, the most important resource for our economy are the people who harness the power for dreams.

Today, we want to introduce you to some of those people. Click the links here to meet Derrick, Angela, Carissa, Callie, and Dani! And be sure to check back for more stories in the future!

Derrick is originally from Le Center, Minnesota, a small town of a few thousand, just outside Minneapolis. After graduating from high school, Derrick raised his right hand and served in the U.S. Army for six years. After leaving the Army, Derrick found a new career and began training as an electrician working with his father at his family’s business.

Since then, Derrick has spent twelve years in the oil and natural gas industry working everywhere from the frigid Arctic shores of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska alongside his cousin Ricky to the Bakken region in North Dakota, and finally to the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado where he has been for three years.

Derrick says the stability of the industry is one of the biggest reasons he loves his job. A devoted family man, Derrick always looks forward to going home to his wife of over 20 years and kids at the end of a long shift.

See more of Derrick’s story:

Angela is a Regulatory Consultant in Colorado’s energy industry. Her favorite part of her job is working to advance environmental progress and address climate change by supporting the industry’s innovative efforts to reduce emissions.

Why did you choose this career and the energy industry?
I have a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering and was the first person in my family to graduate from college and one of only a few from my extended family.

My path to the energy industry started when I was living in Uganda as a Peace Corps volunteer. My home did not have electricity and I saw the contrasts in the quality of life between those that had access to electricity and those that didn’t. That experience taught me the importance of affordable energy but my decision to join industry was made while I was working for a state air quality regulatory agency. I saw the companies that collaborated with the agency and that they were innovating and driving change and environmental progress outside of regulations. I wanted to be a part of driving that change.

What do you love about living and working in Colorado?
I love how close we are to the mountains and that there are so many opportunities to be outside in Denver. At every opportunity, I’m out running, hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing.

What is your job description? What do you find enjoyable or meaningful about your work?
I work in our regulatory and policy group, focused on air quality and environmental regulations. My favorite part of the job is the opportunity to work with regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and community organizations. Everyone has a different perspective but we are working towards a common goal to protect the environment and improve air quality. I am able to play a role in environmental progress and addressing climate change by supporting our efforts to continue to reduce emissions and support innovation.

What makes you proud to work for the Colorado oil and natural gas industry?
Colorado has had first in the nation air quality regulations and the natural gas industry continues to innovate and reduce emissions.

Carissa is an Air Quality Manager in Colorado’s energy industry. Originally from Canada, Carissa loves being part of a team that constantly implements creative designs and solutions to decrease air emissions from our operations.

Why did you choose this career and the energy industry?
I grew up in Alberta, Canada where oil and gas is the Province’s largest industry. So when I became an engineer, I knew that I would work in oil and gas. When I moved to the United States, I got a position working for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality where I learned about air quality and came to really enjoy doing air quality work. I’ve combined the elements of working for industry and air quality to develop a career that I really enjoy.

What do you love about living and working in Colorado?
I love the number of days of sunshine that we get in Colorado and my family takes advantage of the beautiful climate and scenery that Colorado has to offer. I love working a job that focuses on reducing air emissions to ensure that my daughters can continue to enjoy the outdoors.

What is your job description? What do you find enjoyable or meaningful about your work?
I’m the Air Manager for our Rockies operations. I love being part of a team that is constantly implementing creative solutions and designs to decrease air emissions from our operations.

What makes you proud to work for the Colorado oil and natural gas industry?
I’m proud of the innovation that our industry continues to make to lessen our carbon footprint. I’m also proud of the positive contributions that our industry makes to our local communities. I’ve had the privilege of being part of many volunteer efforts that our industry takes to improve the community where we all live and work.

What has working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic been like for you?
I’m a mom. Working from home has been challenging while my children have been doing virtual school. But it has also been so rewarding to be able to spend more time with my daughters while also giving them an idea of what mommy does for work.

Before becoming a Regulatory Manager in Colorado’s energy industry, Callie spent 12 years working as a geologist building maps and analyzing data. This is her story:

“To me, living in Colorado means I can walk out my front door into one of the most incredible landscapes in America. Working in Regulatory for oil and natural gas means I have a role in protecting these beautiful places I love while supporting responsible energy production.”

“Working from home during this pandemic with a young child has been both challenging and rewarding. I am thankful I’ve been able to spend so much time this year watching my son grow because I work in an industry with the ability to allow employees to keep their job and work remotely. During the pandemic I have missed being around my incredible coworkers, but the extra time with my family has been invaluable. I am glad I work for an industry that has the technology and ability to allow so many people to keep their jobs and keep our families safe by allowing us to work remotely.”

“Many people only see the jobs associated with drilling wells, but there is so many jobs needed to get that well ready. From data analytics to archaeology, this industry touches so many jobs and has given me the flexibility to change the path of my own career. I worked as a geologist building maps and analyzing data for 12 years before changing direction and finding a job I love in Regulatory. There are not many industries that have so many different opportunities and can offer you the ability to truly find the right career path for you.”

Dani has been a part of Colorado’s energy industry for over 13 years, starting as a contractor and working her way up to be a Director of Regulatory Affairs!

Why did you choose this career and the energy industry?
I started out in the industry as a contractor with the intentions of it only being a short-term role. However, I quickly realized how fulfilling it was to work in an industry, that even after 13 years, teaches me something new every day and allows me to work alongside amazing and talented people.

What is your job description? What do you find enjoyable or meaningful about your work?
I am the Regulatory Director for the Rockies, which entails overseeing permitting, compliance and external outreach with communities. Through my engagement with agencies, local governments and communities, I get the opportunity to share the ways we are able to bring value to the state of Colorado and that we do it in a safe and responsible way.

What makes you proud to work for the Colorado oil and natural gas industry?
I am proud to work for a company leading the way to lower its carbon footprint and for other industries, too, through its commitment to carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Colorado’s vision to develop fossil fuels, while still reducing emissions is something very exciting to be a part of.