Colorado House of Representatives Speaker KC Becker stands at the chamber’s lectern on June 12, 2020. (Andy Bosselman for Colorado Newsline)
Former Colorado House Speaker KC Becker has been named to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional headquarters in Denver, the White House announced on Thursday.
Becker, a Boulder Democrat who served four terms in the state House of Representatives and led the chamber as speaker for two years before being term-limited out of office in 2021, will be appointed EPA regional administrator for Region 8, which includes Colorado and five other states in the Mountain West, as well as 28 tribal nations.
“I am so honored to have the opportunity to serve the Biden Administration as EPA Region 8 Administrator,” Becker said in a statement. “The aggressive and critical agenda that President Biden and Administrator Regan have announced to address climate change, repair aging water infrastructure, and drive down methane emissions requires an ‘all hands on deck’ approach. I am ready to use my experience to help states, Tribal governments, businesses, and communities in Region 8 implement these important pieces of the Biden agenda.”
While serving as speaker, Becker helped lead the effort to pass major pieces of climate and energy legislation, including House Bill 19-1261, which set statewide targets for cutting greenhouse emissions, and Senate Bill 19-181, which strengthened health, safety and environmental regulations on the oil and gas industry.
“With her background on critical climate change and environmental justice issues, KC is an excellent choice to lead our Region 8 team,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “She is experienced in stakeholder engagement and will ensure voices from throughout the region are heard on key issues.”
An attorney, Becker previously worked in the solicitor’s office at the U.S. Department of the Interior. In July, she joined the law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer as a partner.
Editor’s note: This article was updated at 3:52 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2021, to include statements from KC Becker and Michael Regan.
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