Colorado: Governor Polis Announces Human Services Executive Director Michelle Barnes's Departure From the State, Thanks Her For Years of Service

DENVER ~ Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced that Michelle Barnes has resigned as executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, a position she had held since February 2019.

Polis thanked Barnes for her service, saying the department had supported Coloradans in need throughout her tenure, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. He cited its work on substance use, child welfare, services for older adults and people with disabilities, and access to healthy food.

Barnes said it had been an honor to serve in the administration and expressed confidence in the department's leadership team. She also thanked public servants who work on behalf of Coloradans.

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The governor's office said that under Barnes, the department helped hundreds of thousands of children and families access benefits and services. It also credited the department with adapting services during the pandemic and improving operations at the state's two mental health hospitals.

The department reported that the share of SNAP applications processed on time rose from 75% to more than 95% after it partnered with counties and local governments. Barnes also oversaw an expansion of state psychiatric care services and, from 2023 to 2024, served as interim commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration, helping establish the agency and improve access to behavioral health care, according to the announcement.

Minna Castillo, the department's deputy executive director for community partnerships, will lead the agency on a short-term basis. The administration said it would provide further updates on department leadership.

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