DENVER - Today, Governor Polis appointed Chris Sichko to fill the vacancy on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for a term expiring June 2027.
“I am excited to appoint Chris Sichko, a Colorado native, lifelong angler, sportsperson and economist to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. Chris will bring both on-the-ground outdoor experience and a strong economic perspective to matters affecting wildlife, agriculture and conservation including years at the US Department of Agriculture. Particularly in these tough budgetary times, Chris’s background in economics will help maximize use of resources and think entrepreneurially about improving recreational opportunities. He has deep respect for rural communities and understands the importance of integrating wildlife stewardship with working lands and local livelihoods,” said Governor Polis.
Sichko is an outdoorsman, angler, and small-game hunter who has fished Colorado waters his entire life, from foothill watersheds to alpine lakes and major river systems across the state. He is also actively engaged in small-game bow hunting, including snowshoe hare and grouse, and participates in Colorado’s big-game draw system and has been active in scouting, tracking, and planning elk and mule deer hunts for the last several years. Sichko has a strong interest in expanding his big-game hunting experience. Sichko strongly believes in the role of hunters and anglers as conservationists and stewards of Colorado’s wildlife and natural resources.
Professionally, Sichko has a PhD in economics. He brings his experience as a research economist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. His work focuses on agricultural, environmental, and resource economics, including research on hunting participation, wildlife–agriculture interactions, and rural economic impacts. His background brings valuable analytical expertise to Commission discussions around wildlife management, funding sustainability, and land-use policy.
Beyond hunting and fishing, Sichko has extensive field experience as a wildlife photographer, wilderness first responder, and pilot. His photography has been published in both books and magazines and recognized through multiple awards. Through photography, he has observed wildlife behavior across Colorado and the broader American West. Sichko is also a commercial-rated pilot with hundreds of hours of flight experience and currently tows glider aircraft along the Front Range. His aviation background contributes a landscape-scale perspective on habitat connectivity, land use, and human impacts on wildlife.
Chris Sichko is committed to serving the people of Colorado and ensuring that the state’s wildlife resources, parks, and outdoor recreation opportunities remain accessible, responsibly managed, and sustainable for generations to come.
