Gerald Koppenhafer was appointed by Montezuma County and has been a Director on the Board since 2022. Dr. Koppenhafer grew up in Cortez, graduating high school in Montezuma County. He has a bachelor’s degree from Fort Lewis College and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University. Since 1980, Dr. Koppenhafer has practiced as a large animal veterinarian in the Four Corners region and is licensed in the relevant states.

Dr. Koppenhafer has also operated his own cow-calf ranch and farmed across Montezuma County for more than 35 years. He holds water rights in the Mancos River, Jackson Reservoir, Dolores River, and is currently co-president of the Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company Board. He has also served on Southwest Basins Roundtable, the Lower Dolores River Planning Group, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Advisory Council, and Southwest Livestock Board.

Dr. Koppenhafer was appointed to serve as Montezuma County Commissioner in 2022 and served two terms as Commissioner from 2004-2012. He was recognized as Cattleman of the Year, CSU’s Outstanding Large Animal Student, and Mancos Citizen of the Year.

Dr. Koppenhafer’s family has resided in Montezuma County since 1916. He is one of 13 children. Gerald and his wife Carla have three adult children and five (soon to be six) grandchildren.