Kelly Flenniken Will Lead Colorado Forum
The Colorado Forum has named Kelly Flenniken to succeed long-term president Gail Klapper starting November 2, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
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Kelly Flenniken, 47, will become the next president of the Colorado Forum effective Nov. 2, 2026. She was selected from a field of more than 70 applicants following a national search that began in June 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a significant transition for the organization, as outgoing president Gail Klapper will step down after leading the group for 37 years. Klapper, 83, will remain through the end of 2026 to assist with the handover.
The Colorado Forum maintains a strict membership cap of 80 members and requires 100% consensus for all organizational positions. The selection process followed a national search to replace a presidency that began in 1989.
The players
Kelly Flenniken
She is the current leader of Colorado Counties Inc. and the incoming president of the Colorado Forum.
Gail Klapper
She has served as the president of the Colorado Forum since 1989 and is stepping down after 37 years of leadership.
Colorado Forum
This is a restricted membership organization in Colorado that requires unanimous consensus for its appointments.
Herrick Roth
He was the founder of the Colorado Forum.
The details
The incoming president currently leads Colorado Counties Inc. and will take over for Klapper, who has served in the role since 1989. Founded by Herrick Roth, the Colorado Forum operates as a select organization with rigid membership requirements.
Timeline
A national search for the new leader began in June 2026.
Kelly Flenniken will officially assume duties on Nov. 2, 2026.
Gail Klapper will conclude her transition period by the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment marks a transition from the 1989-2026 tenure of Gail Klapper, establishing a new leadership baseline for the organization. This shift replaces a multi-decade presidency with new executive oversight for the group.
The transition will not change the organization's membership cap of 80 or its consensus-based governance model. Residents and stakeholders should expect continuity in the group's internal operations throughout the transition period.
The takeaway
The move represents a generational shift for the Colorado Forum after nearly four decades under the same leadership. The organization continues to maintain its exclusive membership structure during this transition.
What happens next
Kelly Flenniken will assume her presidential duties on Nov. 2, 2026, followed by the conclusion of Gail Klapper's transition period at the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more information on state organizational leadership, visit the Colorado People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Colorado Sun.
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