Commissioner Jim Wilson

Jim Wilson
Commissioner

Salida, Colorado
Congressional District 5
Appointed July 2, 2021
Term Ends July 1, 2029

Commissioner Wilson grew up on a farm on the southern border of Kansas, attending Southwestern College on a basketball and track scholarship and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social science and physical education. While teaching and coaching, he earned a master’s degree in counseling from Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU). During his four decades in education, he served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, counselor, principal and superintendent.

During his 24-year educational stint in Kansas, Wilson was president of the Kansas City Public Television Channel 19 ITV Consortium and served as chair of the channel 19 Board of Directors. He also served as president of the South Central Kansas ITV Consortium and was president of the Kansas School Counselor’s Association. He received a Master Teacher Award (twice), was honored as the Kansas Rural & Small Schools Administrator of the Year and was inducted into the Southwestern College Educator’s Hall of Fame.

Commissioner Wilson was a pioneer in distance learning and concurrent enrollment during the 1980’s in Kansas and carried that passion into Colorado when he became superintendent in Mancos in 1991. He initiated tech labs and distance learning programs in both the Mancos and Ellicott School districts before moving to Salida where he finished out his K-12 career as superintendent.

As a state legislator, Representative Wilson served for eight years as a member of the House Education Committee— becoming the ranking minority member on the committee. During his legislative tenure, he also served on numerous committees and carried a long list of successful educational bills.

Wilson is currently retired for the second time in his career. He retired in 2007 from public education after 40 years, and was term limited in 2021 after serving eight years in the Colorado State House of Representatives.

Wilson and his wife Kristi have four daughters and five grandchildren. Wilson enjoys archery and rifle hunting, riding his mules in the high country, fishing, gardening, ATVing in the mountains and auctioneering for area fundraisers. He is an elder in his church and also teaches Sunday school classes. The Wilsons have lived in Salida since 1998.

Commissioner Wilson was appointed by Gov. Jared Polis in July 2021 to serve through July 1, 2025 as a Republican resident from the 5th Congressional District.