Kathleen Staks, assistant director for energy and minerals for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, has been tapped to be executive director of the Colorado Energy Office by Gov. John Hickenlooper. She replaces Jeff Ackermann, who was appointed to the state’s Public Utilities Commission. “Kathleen will be pivotal in helping us work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to ensure that Colorado is a strong supporter of both traditional and renewable energy resources,” Hickenlooper said. Staks previously worked as the program director for open space and parks and wildlife at Great Outdoors Colorado, overseeing land conservation grants.