Karin McGowan, MPA

Karin McGowan is a long-time public health leader in Colorado, bringing years of experience managing public health and environmental crises and delivering results for healthy communities. Prior to joining the Johnston Administration, McGowan served as an appointed member of the Energy and Carbon Management Conservation Commission, appointed by Governor Jared Polis as a member with substantial experience in public health. Prior to joining the commission, she spent over a decade at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in various positions, including most recently as the Deputy Executive Director. 

Throughout her tenure at CDPHE, she led the department’s communications, legislative affairs, the Office of Health Equity, the Office of Emergency Planning and Response, and the Office of Planning and Partnership, tackling issues including the legalization of marijuana, the 2015 Gold King Mine spill, and COVID-19 response.  

McGowan’s experience includes her work at the Denver Regional Council of Governments as the director of policy development and communications. She also served as assistant director for external affairs for Great Outdoors Colorado and in Governor Roy Romer’s administration. 

McGowan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington.