Abel Montoya has been named the Jefferson County Development and Transportation Director, reporting directly to County Manager Don Davis. He officially began his new role on Dec. 30, 2021. Montoya replaces Jeanie Rossillon, who served as the county’s director of Development and Transportation for the past 11 years and was an employee at Jefferson County for 37 years.
Montoya brings 25 years of experience in local government administration to Jeffco and has had a leadership role in a wide range of successful transportation and community development projects in both rural and urban areas in the Denver metro area. Montoya most recently served as the Gilpin County Manager for the past three years, where he helped create the county’s first strategic plan and spearheaded the introduction of innovative technology to create, report and track the county’s budgets and key performances.
“I am honored and humbled to serve the Jefferson County Community as the Director of Development and Transportation,” Montoya said. “My experience working in the Denver metropolitan area and in the mountains of Colorado provides a well-rounded background to help serve the residents and businesses of Jefferson County. I am excited to join the team.”
Prior to his tenure with Gilpin County, Montoya spent 16 years at Adams County as the director of three different departments, including planning and development, long range strategic planning, and regional affairs.
“We are extremely excited to have Abel join our team,” County Manager Don Davis said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from Adams and Gilpin County.”
During his time at Adams County and Gilpin County, Montoya and his team were recognized by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), the National Association of Counties (NaCO), and the American Planning Association (APA) for their work on several urban and rural economic development and tourism projects. Abel has also been instrumental in the creation of significant public policy in addition to fostering a respectful, transparent, and responsive culture of trust and has been a mentor to numerous county employees.
Montoya earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado-Boulder and his master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Community and Economic Development from the University of Colorado-Denver. He also has a certificate in Executive Management from the University of Denver.
Abel and his wife, Anna, were born and raised in Colorado and have two children and enjoy spending time outdoors.