Hartmann takes the reins at CommDev
Garfield County elevates new Community Development director from within
PRESS RELEASE
November 17, 2023
Garfield County has named longtime Principal Planner Glenn Hartmann as its new community development director. Hartmann, who first cut his teeth with Garfield County in 1983, has been serving as acting department director since August, following the departure of former Director Sheryl Bower.
Hartmann initially worked as a planning technician at Garfield County for seven years, before taking the town planner role for the Town of Basalt, where he worked for 20 years. He served a brief stint as community development director at Cañon City and returned to the county in December 2010 to be closer to his family. Hartmann said he has always enjoyed serving the community.
“I’m very excited to take on this new role for Garfield County,” Hartmann said. “It’s a good challenge and one that I’m up for. We have a great, dedicated crew in planning and building that’s awesome to work with and we’ve forged strong relationships with other county departments, applicants, and the public throughout the county.”
He first came to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1978 to attend classes at Colorado Mountain College, teach skiing, and ultimately earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental and urban geography (with a minor in biology) from the University of Delaware.
“I was a bit of a long-distance student,” he said of taking college courses in both his home state of Delaware and in Colorado. “Delaware offered a very good degree program that set me up to be a planner and instilled in me a unique combination of technical and practical skills.”
Hartmann added that it’s an honor to work for the Board of County Commissioners and he has been lucky to accrue so many wonderful memories working and living in Garfield County. When he’s not at work, Hartmann can be found spending time with family, and pursuing his passions of hiking and teaching skiing, including adaptive ski lessons, up at Sunlight Mountain Resort.
“We are excited to welcome Glenn into his new role as community development director,” said Garfield County Manager Fred Jarman. “Glenn brings a distinct passion for solving issues and working closely with the various aspects of our complex Garfield County community.”
Hartmann stressed that it’s been a blessing working with such talented staff and planning commissions over the years.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity and having a role in helping run the department,” he added. “There have been a lot of excellent community development directors here at Garfield County and it’s great to be part of that legacy. I look forward to continuing the great work.”