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Commissioner of Education
Commissioner's Office
Commissioner of Education Katy Anthes, Ph.D.
Contact the Commissioner: commissioner@cde.state.co.us
Executive Assistant: Jenny Minich
Phone: 303-866-6646 (voicemail)
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax Ave., Room 500
Denver, CO 80203
News and Announcements
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, Dr. Anthes announced that she will step down as Education Commissioner in July 2023. She has served in the role since May 2016 when she was appointed interim commissioner by the State Board of Education. She was named permanent commissioner by the board in December 2016. She held several executive positions at CDE prior to becoming commissioner.
Commissioner's Office Overview
The Commissioner's Office directs the Colorado Department of Education's (CDE) activities, completion towards statutorily required tasks, and attainment of CDE's goals. The Commissioner, along with her Executive Team, ensures that the strategic plan also guides CDE's work. The strategic plan receives input from CDE staff and is revised annually.
Commissioner's Office Responsibilities
- Advise the State Board, concerning the current operation and status of the public schools, and other education matters.
- Establish and maintain, a system of personnel administration, within the department.
- Ensure all policies, rules and regulations adopted by the State Board are duly executed.
- Visit local education agencies, schools, communities and key education partners at the local, state, national and global levels.
- Prepare and submit, to the State Board, a budget for the department and properly execute the approved budget in accordance with appropriations.
Commissioner's Executive Team
- Marcia Bohannon, Chief Information Officer
- Floyd Cobb, Associate Commissioner of Student Learning
- Rhonda Haniford, Associate Commissioner School Quality and Support
- Scott D. Jones, Chief Strategic Recovery Officer
- Jennifer Okes, Chief Operating Officer
- Colleen O'Neil,Associate Commissioner of Educator Talent
- Alyssa Pearson, Deputy Commissioner
- Dana Smith, Chief Communications Officer
- Joyce Zurkowski, Chief Assessment Officer
View executive team photos and biographies
Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet
The Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet is a group of practicing teachers from around the state that serve as a sounding board for the implementation of state education policy and will brainstorm solutions for challenges facing today's educators. The cabinet shares new solutions on issues such as raising achievement for all students, supporting low-performing schools and increasing the number of individuals joining the profession.
Learn more about the commissioner's teacher cabinet and its members.
Commissioner's Communications to Superintendents and BOCES Directors
2022 Communications
- Dec. 20 - Personal News (PDF)
- Dec. 7 - 2022 December RFP for College Suite of Assessments (PDF)
- Sept. 26 - Commissioner Update and Hybrid Work at CDE (PDF)
- Aug. 17 - Back to School and Thank you! (PDF)
- March 16 - READ Act Updates (PDF)
- March 10 - Jhon Penn Retirement and CDE Field Services Job Posting (PDF)
- Feb. 18 - Checking in (PDF)
- Jan. 6 - Update on COVID Testing Programs (PDF)
Archived Communications
Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.
Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
Fax: 303-830-0793
Contact CDE
CDE Hours
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
December 20, 2022
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