Click the link to read the release on the High Line Canal Conservancy website (Suzanna Fry Jones):
DENVER, CO – January 23, 2025 – The High Line Canal Conservancy announced today that Harriet Crittenden LaMair, the organization’s founding CEO, will step down after 11 years of visionary leadership. Harriet will remain in her role until mid-2025 to ensure a seamless transition as the Conservancy begins its next chapter.
“The preservation and protection of the High Line Canal have been my passion for the past 11 years,” said LaMair. “It has been an honor and joy to work with so many friends and partners to secure a vital future for the old Canal. Given the Canal safeguards that we have put in place, I am confident this is the right time to step away from leading the Conservancy. Together with Denver Water, local governments and private support, we have permanently protected the Canal under a conservation easement, improved community access and safety and established a strong stewardship endowment, forever ensuring improved care along all 71 miles,” said LaMair.
LaMair’s impact is significant, having spearheaded the creation of the High Line Canal Conservancy in 2014, transforming it from a startup nonprofit into a trusted regional leader. Under LaMair’s leadership, the Conservancy has achieved historic milestones: securing over $33 million in private investment matched by public funds for more than $100 million in Canal improvements, establishing a Canal Collaborative that unites 14 jurisdictions, launching impactful community programs and protecting the Canal with a conservation easement.
“Harriet has been a trusted leader and champion for the Canal over the years and has set us up for success,” said Arapahoe County Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully. “We would not be where we are today without her tenacity, vision and commitment to the long-term protection and stewardship of the Canal. She is leaving a lasting legacy and big shoes to fill — and a collective awareness that we all have a responsibility to care for this regional treasure now and forever.”
LaMair’s contributions have garnered regional and national acclaim, including the 2017 Jane Silverman Ries Award and the 2022 Denver Regional Council of Governments Metro Vision Award.
“Harriet’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative, shaping the High Line Canal Conservancy into a trusted and respected regional leader,” said Alan Salazar, CEO of Denver Water. “Her unwavering passion for the natural world and her exceptional ability to bring people together have united communities and organizations around a shared vision for the Canal’s future. Denver Water is proud to have partnered with Harriet and the Conservancy in this remarkable journey, and her legacy will undoubtedly inspire continued stewardship and collaboration for generations to come.”
Paula Herzmark, Chair of the High Line Canal Conservancy Board, credited LaMair with being the driving force behind the Conservancy’s success: “Through her vision and determination, she not only built an organization but also inspired a regional movement that will benefit communities for generations. We owe her an incredible debt of gratitude for her leadership and passion for this remarkable resource.”
As the Conservancy moves forward, it remains steadfast in its mission to preserve and enhance the 71-mile High Line Canal. Over the next three years, the organization will implement more than 30 improvement projects, expand community programs and advance natural resource management initiatives. Herzmark reiterated the Board’s commitment to building on LaMair’s legacy, stating, “As Harriet transitions from her role, we remain committed to carrying forward the legacy she created.”
The Conservancy’s Board is actively preparing for this leadership transition and is committed to identifying a new CEO who will continue advancing the Conservancy’s mission and vision. More information about the job posting will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, interested parties can contact employment@highlinecanal.org for inquiries.
About the High Line Canal Conservancy
The High Line Canal Conservancy is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the 71-mile High Line Canal. Since its founding in 2014, the Conservancy has led a regional effort to ensure the Canal remains a vibrant and enduring resource. Learn more at HighLineCanal.org.
