Colorado State Parks Employee Protective Association – CSPEPA is a non-profit organization that any Colorado Parks & Wildlife employee can join.
The purpose of the association is to provide members who are in good standing with retirement benefits, recognition awards, training opportunities, legal protection, be a liaison with Colorado Parks & Wildlife management staff, and provide representation in matters concerning association membership. The membership is represented by a seven member Board of Directors that serve two year terms. Board Members are limited to serve two consecutive terms.
Our legal protection includes critical incidents and other legal services for on the job related incidents. This can include administrative or disciplinary defense, civil defense, criminal defense and traffic incidents. Legal coverage is through BCL (a Colorado based firm) and members can gain immediate access to services statewide, 24 hours a day.
When you are a POST certified member of CSPEPA you are also registered as a member of PLEA. Park Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) affiliate membership includes their newsletter three times a year, access to workshops, conferences and professional networking opportunities.
CSPEPA Board Members
Email: Michelle.Seubert@state.co.us
Background: I’m a Colorado native and graduate of Colorado State University. I started my career as seasonal at Cherry Creek State Park. I have worked full time at Cherry Creek (ranger and senior ranger) Castlewood Canyon (ranger), Barr Lake (park manager 15 years) and back to Cherry Creek as the park manager. I love spending time with family, friends, all my fur kids and working at my dads restaurant.
Email: scott.rist@state.co.us
Background:I’m originally from MN and went to college at UW-Stevens Point. After three years of working for NM State Parks, I moved to Colorado in 2005 and started my career at Ridgway SP. I was promoted to Senior Ranger at the Crawford Complex in 2011, then onto Park Manager in 2022. I have been married for a long time and have a son. We like to do what everyone else likes to do in Colorado. We have a job at times that is very serious, but I love to make mine and my employees’ job fun as possible.
Email: Joseph.Herman@state.co.us
Background: Joe Herman is a Park Ranger/ Park Manager III at Roxborough State Park and has worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife since 2017. Joe is an instructor in Defensive tactics, OC Spray, Taser and RADAR/LIDAR and is known for his outgoing and friendly attitude and is passionate about his job and helping others. While attending Colorado State University, Joe earned his Bachelor’s in Natural Resource Management. Joe lives in Littleton with his wife and three boys. Outside of work Joe loves spending time outdoors with his family.
Email: Jennifer.Ives@state.co.us
Background: I was borned and raised in Colorado Springs. I graduated from Adams State College with a degree in Geology, and started working at Cheyenne Mountain State Park in 2008 as a temporary employee. I was hired on full time in 2014, and was stationed at the Rifle Complex. In 2019 I was promoted to Senior Ranger at Lathrop State Park, and I love exploring rural Huerfano County.
Email: jeremy.clayton@state.co.us
Background:Jeremy Clayton Started working seasonally at Chatfield State Park in 2001 and quickly fell in love with Park Maintenance. He eventually went to college, receiving a bachelors of science in biology with a chemistry minor in 2015. In 2016 Jeremy got on full time at Boyd Lake State Park as a PRT IV. in 2018 he returned to Chatfield as a PRT IV where he has worked since.
Email: Alanc.Martinez@state.co.us
Background: I am currently the Park Manager at Highline Lake State Park. I have worked for Colorado State Parks, now Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the past 35 years and have been active on numerous committees during this time and have been a board member with CSPEPA since 2022.
Email: Mike.Mueller@state.co.us
Background: Mike Mueller is the NW region representative. Mike grew up in Illinois where he gained a passion for the natural world. While attending Southern Illinois University for Forestry, he worked as Park Ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for three seasons. After graduating, he worked at Rifle State Park Complex in 2012 and 2013 as a seasonal Park Ranger. He was hired on as a full-time Park Ranger in 2014. After working at Golden Gate Canyon State Park for 3 years, he transferred to Yampa River and Elkhead Reservoir State Parks where he now works as the Senior Ranger.