A man who’s worked 13 years as marketing coordinator of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board has been appointed as executive director of the  organization.

Kyle Schlachter succeeds Doug Caskey, who retired after serving 23 years as director.

“Stepping into the leading role at the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board will allow me to continue working with Colorado’s wine growers, vintners, sommeliers and other industry partners to grow and develop our state’s dynamic wine industry,” Schlacter said. “We produce world-class wine in Colorado, and I am eager to help our producers let the world know.”

A part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the board promotes the development of grape and wine production in the state. Schlacter will oversee efforts to promote viticultural and enological research, integrate the wine industry into state tourism programs and advocate for winemakers.

Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg praised Schlachter’s selection. “Kyle’s knowledge of the wine industry and his proven ability to lead make him the perfect fit for the role and for the future of Colorado wine. Kyle has been an ambassador for the Colorado wine industry for more than a decade, and we are looking forward to what he can accomplish in his new role.”

Schlacter worked 13 years as marketing coordinator of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. He previously worked at a wine and spirits retailer. He’s also contributed to the wine industry as a writer. His work has been published in Decanter, Sommelier Journal and Wine Spectator.

He was selected by Wine Enthusiast in 2017 as one of the 40 Under 40 Tastemakers.

In 2021, he became the first popularly elected mayor of Littleton.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Denver as well as a master’s degree in geography from the University of Tennessee.

When the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board was created in 1990, there were only seven wineries and fewer than 100 acres of grapes planted in Colorado. Today, there are more than 160 licensed wineries and nearly 1,000 acres of grapes under cultivation in the state.

According to the results of a study conducted in 2017, the wine industry contributes more than $300 million a year to the Colorado economy.