News Release: County Hires Recovery Manager
Contact: Glenn Boyd, Emergency Manager
Email: gboyd@ourayco.gov
Phone: 970-325-7273 ext. 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ouray County Hires Henry Mitchell as Recovery Manager
Ouray County, Colo – Ouray County is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Henry Mitchell as Recovery Manager. Henry brings over a decade of expertise in emergency management, preparedness, response, and recovery at both local and state levels.
In collaboration with various departments and agencies, Henry will spearhead recovery efforts in response to the Gold Mountain Fire. Key initiatives will include damage assessments with the Assessor’s Office, rebuilding and permitting coordination with the Land Use Department, and public infrastructure repairs in collaboration with the Road and Bridge Department. He will work closely with the Communications team to ensure clear communication with the public throughout all recovery phases. Legal and financial matters will be managed in conjunction with the County Attorney and Administrative departments. Partnerships with state and federal agencies, such as FEMA and USDA, will be essential for accessing necessary resources and programs. Henry will serve as a central liaison, facilitating communication between impacted citizens, local agencies, non-profits, and private-sector partners.
“I want to congratulate Henry and welcome him to Ouray County as our Recovery Manager, a position he will serve in for the next three years as we continue our long-term recovery from the Gold Mountain Fire. Henry brings years of valuable experience from his work with San Miguel County, Boulder County, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and that experience will be an important asset to our community throughout the recovery process. We are also extremely grateful to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for its partnership and financial support of this three-year position, funding 75% in the first year, 50% in the second year, and 25% in the third year,” stated Glenn Boyd, Ouray County Emergency Manager.
“Ouray County is committed to an efficient and effective recovery from the Gold Mountain Fire and we understand that we need the right personnel in place to do that. The addition of Henry Mitchell as our Recovery Manager to the Emergency Management department demonstrates our commitment. Henry is a respected professional in the field and his experience will help guide us through these next three years of recovery,” stated Antonio Mendez, Ouray County Manager.
From 2017 to 2021, Henry served as the Emergency Manager for San Miguel County, where he was involved in mitigation planning, community outreach, response, and recovery efforts. He was an integral member of the Unified Command team during significant incidents and frequently collaborated with Ouray County staff and officials on preparedness and response initiatives. Notably, in 2019, he was the first staff member deployed to manage the avalanche and flood-threat emergency in Lake City.
In 2021, Henry transitioned to the Boulder County Office of Disaster Management as an emergency manager. There, he oversaw the Emergency Operations Center during the Marshall Fire and other local fires, contributing significantly to recovery efforts. His experience encompasses both urban and rural environments, allowing him to effectively plan for and respond to a wide range of disasters.
Henry also held the position of Deputy Director at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response, where he managed grants, staff, and recovery operations. His expertise includes planning, incident command, biosecurity, multi-agency coordination, and community preparedness.
Henry earned a master’s degree in Disaster Preparedness and Biosecurity from Saint Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Oakwood University. His commitment to public service has driven his transition from organizational design to disaster preparedness and response, with a focus on community safety. Outside of his professional commitments, Henry enjoys cooking, reading, music, theater, and film, and he spends as much time outdoors as possible throughout the year, thriving in both urban and mountainous settings.
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