The leader of a college with 11 campuses across Colorado has been appointed chairwoman of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Carrie Besnette Hauser will serve as chairwoman of the commission until 2023. The commission also elected Charles Garcia as the vice chairman and Luke Schafer as secretary.

The commission is comprised of 11 governor-appointed members and sets regulations and policies for state parks and wildlife programs.

Hauser is president and chief executive officer of Colorado Mountain College, which is headquartered in Glenwood Springs and operates campuses there and at 10 other locations.

CMC has offered outdoor education for decades, including programs and degrees in outdoor recreation leadership, sustainability studies, ecosystem science and management, avalanche science and ski area operations. Hauser, a resident of Garfield County,  is also an outdoorswoman and athlete.

Hauser was appointed to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission in 2017 and served as vice chairwoman and representative for outdoor recreation and use of parks. She succeeds as head of the commission Marvin McDaniel, whose term expires in July.

“The diverse experience among our newly elected commission leaders is invaluable to CPW as we discuss initiatives and decisions that impact how our state’s public lands and wildlife populations should be managed,” said Dan Prenzlow director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.