Kathleen Staks has extensive experience in policy and strategic engagement on a broad spectrum of bipartisan energy issues in the public and private sectors. She has worked in house and as a consultant on government and public affairs for a variety of energy and natural resources companies. Kathleen served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office under Governor Hickenlooper where she worked to broaden the influence and impact of the office by developing and securing bipartisan support for long-term funding while expanding wide-reaching relationships across the energy spectrum. Prior to that, Kathleen was the assistant director for energy and minerals at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, where she developed and implemented oil and gas and mining policy across Colorado in coordination with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety, and the Governor’s Office.

Kathleen also serves as the Interim Chair of the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority, an independent special purpose authority that will prioritize and enable the development of transmission lines that will deliver clean energy to Coloradans and the region. 

In Memoriam
(1971-2023)

The Western Freedom Team lost our co-founder, colleague, mentor, and friend, Larry Holdren, in November 2023. Larry had a passion for solving complex issues to enable energy freedom in the West, and his spirit and drive remain with us as we work to advance our mission.

Larry Holdren served as a go-to communications and campaign consultant for organizations facing challenging situations for more than two decades. As an established communications counselor and trainer with special expertise in campaign and crisis management, Larry’s long list of clients included some of the largest energy companies in the world. His energy-related work took him to nearly every region of the country where energy development was occurring, and he was a specialist in understanding the unique dynamics of local communities and how to effectively activate audiences.

Larry was also a co-founder and served as Executive Director of the Colorado Energy & Water Institute, a 501(c)(3) that seeks to elevate the dialogue about critical energy and water issues in the West. The son of a small-town newspaper owner in southwest Kansas, he brought a unique understanding of the needs of rural communities to his work.

Ben Kelahan offers more than two decades of experience in federal, state and local coalition building, voter behavior and analysis, grassroots organizing, government relations, community engagement, and political consulting. He has advised some of the world’s leading energy companies on regional, state and local land-use permit approvals, legislative issues and development strategies throughout the country. Ben’s engagement work in state capitals and local communities, building and mobilizing advocacy coalitions toward approvals from elected officials, has supported the political approval of everything from wind and solar farms, natural gas facilities, power plants, soccer stadiums and mixed-use urban redevelopment projects. He’s also built legislative strategies and coalitions to beat back anti-renewable state legislative initiatives and campaigns driven by entrenched, sophisticated opposition.

Ben is also the president of The Advocacy Group (TAG), a 50-state, worldwide lobbying and public affairs organization. Ben’s relationships developed over a 25-year career and position at TAG offers Western Freedom access to established, premium political insiders in every state in the West at a moment’s notice.

As Deputy Executive Director at Western Freedom, Andrew plays a pivotal role in executing the organization's mission and strategy, drawing from his experience in state and federal electricity policy. Prior to joining Western Freedom, Andrew served as the Policy Director for the U.S. Climate Alliance, where he supported a bipartisan group of governors in developing and implementing strategies to reduce emissions. His career also includes roles in the Polis and Hickenlooper administrations in Colorado, notably as the Deputy Director at the Colorado Energy Office. In that capacity, he oversaw the development of energy policy and programs, with a particular focus on legislative and regulatory affairs. Andrew has also worked for elected officials at both the Colorado General Assembly and the U.S. Senate, where he focused on western water, land, and energy policy.

Feel free to contact him at asand@westernfreedom.org

A recent graduate of the University of Oregon Law School, Kayla has spent the last three years in public policy in both California and Colorado working for the legislature and in-house at a lobbying firm. Working both inside and outside the capitol, she has gained extensive experience in nearly all industries but has found her passion in energy and environmental issues. As the Research & Policy Associate, she supports the Western Freedom team by staying abreast of new developments, drafting, researching, tracking, and any additional support the team may need. Kayla is most excited about building relationships and partnerships throughout the West to understand the unique needs and perspectives of all stakeholders.

Feel free to contact her at kteeple@westernfreedom.org.

Amber Clayton is Western Freedom’s office manager and executive assistant. She has over 20 years of experience in a variety of business sectors, including energy, law and manufacturing. Amber manages Western Freedom’s invoicing and serves as our liaison for systems administration.