Montrose County has its next leader.
After a six-month nationwide search that drew 53 applicants, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously selected Joe Kirby as the sole finalist for County Manager on Monday night. Kirby, who already held the same job in Montrose from 2006 to 2009, currently runs Jefferson County, Colorado’s fourth-largest county with a $1.2 billion budget and nearly 600,000 residents.
The board called Kirby “exceptionally well suited” to return, citing his deep experience, calm leadership, and intimate knowledge of western Colorado issues.
A Familiar Face Comes Home
Joe Kirby is not a stranger to Montrose County.
He first served as County Manager here from 2006 until 2009, a period many locals still remember fondly for steady growth and smooth operations. After leaving for Douglas County, Kirby later spent time in Oregon before landing the top job in Jefferson County in 2018.
In Jeffco, he has managed everything from explosive population growth to wildfire recovery and major infrastructure projects. Residents there consistently give him high marks for transparency and keeping taxes low while delivering services.
One Jefferson County commissioner told the Denver Post last year that Kirby “runs the county like a business, but never forgets it’s people he’s serving.”
That blend of big-county experience and small-community values is exactly what Montrose leaders say they need right now.
Why Montrose Needed a Proven Leader Now
The county has been without a permanent manager since Ken Norris retired in June 2024 after 12 years in the role. Deputy County Manager Steve Kane has served as interim, earning praise for keeping things steady.
But Montrose is changing fast.
New housing subdivisions are popping up, recreation tourism is booming, and water remains the eternal western Colorado concern. The county also faces workforce shortages, rising costs, and the challenge of keeping young families here.
Commissioner Sue Hansen said Monday night: “We didn’t just want someone who could do the job. We wanted someone who already knows our soul.”
Kirby, who still owns property on the Uncompahgre Plateau and visits family here regularly, clearly fits that description.
What Happens Next
The selection is not quite final.
State law requires a two-week waiting period after naming a sole finalist. The board will negotiate a contract with Kirby, then take a final vote at their February 3 meeting.
If approved as expected, Kirby would likely start in Montrose this spring.
He would leave behind a Jefferson County team that openly says they hate to lose him. Multiple Jeffco department heads told local media this week they respect his decision to “go home,” but the county will be hard-pressed to replace him.
A Community Ready to Welcome Him Back
Early reaction in Montrose is almost entirely positive.
Longtime resident and business owner Lisa Young said Tuesday morning: “I remember when Joe was here before. Things just worked. No drama, no surprises, just results. We’re lucky to get him back.”
The Montrose Daily Press editorial board wrote Tuesday that Kirby’s return “feels like the right person at the right time for a county that is growing up but doesn’t want to lose its heart.”
