Mr. Russell Forrest

Russell Forrest has fostered thriving mountain resort communities in Colorado over his career. He is currently the Town Manager of Vail Colorado and leading one of the largest initiatives in Vail's history to build affordable housing and redevelop the Town's ice and event center. From 2013 to 2022, Forrest worked for Gunnison County and was the City Manager for Gunnison and created a common vision for housing, sustainable recreation, economic prosperity for the Gunnison Valley through the One Valley Prosperity Project. He also led the capital improvement program for the City of Gunnison's to improve aging utility infrastructure and worked with stakeholders to create a Comprehensive Plan for the City. As the Snowmass Town Manager, Forest implemented the development of a new base village, guided the Town through the great recession, and created a parks and recreation program for the community. As the Community Development Director in Vail Colorado from 1992-2007, he created a redevelopment plan that lead to a $1 billion renaissance in Vail and the redevelopment of the Lionshead commercial area.