Overview
- Gov. Jared Polis announced the selection at the State Capitol on Wednesday, confirming a two-year appointment.
- Apache is a member of the Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache and Diné (Navajo) tribes, identifies as two-spirit/indigi-queer, and does not use pronouns.
- The role will emphasize statewide youth engagement as Colorado marks its 150th year of statehood alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary.
- Program support includes $10,000 annually for travel-related presentations, with an additional $5,000 in 2026, funded by Colorado Humanities, the Center for the Book and Colorado Creative Industries.
- Apache succeeds the late Andrea Gibson, whose tenure raised the post’s profile and who is featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary Come See Me in the Good Light.