CHAIR
Committee assignments: Executive, Evaluation, Audit and Finance
Term ends: Dec. 31, 2026
A native of the San Luis Valley, Armando Valdez was raised near Capulin, Colo., on a farm and ranch consisting of cattle, sheep, small grains, and hay — Valdez Land & Livestock, LLC, which he continues to operate today, along with his wife and children. In addition to his passions for agriculture, Governor Valdez is an assistant professor of management, and the director of the Health Care Administration program in the School of Business at Adams State University (ASU). He was integral in the development of the Health Care Administration and the Agribusiness programs at ASU.
Governor Valdez is a member of the Conejos County Land Use Planning Commission, chair of the Conejos County Board of Adjustments, chair of the St. Joseph Parish Finance Committee, Board President of the Board for Guadalupe Parish Credit Union, a member of the 12th Judicial District nominating commission, state director for Colorado of the USDA-Rural Development, and a member of the Noxious Weed District for Conejos County. In November 2009, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to the USDA-Farm Service Agency Executive Committee for Colorado. In 2012, he was appointed as executive chair of this committee and served in that role until his term ended in 2018.
Empowering people and cultivating successful pathways for others are two of Governor Valdez’s key priorities. He believes we must facilitate opportunities for all within Colorado, which will enhance agricultural, economic, educational, and social interests while protecting rural and agricultural lifestyles.
