Aaron Ray

Aaron Ray holds a PhD in Political Science and serves as a Lecturer at the University of Denver, teaching graduate-level environmental policy and management courses. He currently leads energy innovation initiatives as Assistant Director for Energy Innovation at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, overseeing the transition from traditional to renewable energy sources. His career spans policy leadership roles at the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he managed Interior Department science and tribal programs.

• PhD in Political Science from American University
• MPP in Environmental and Regulatory Policy from Georgetown University
• MA in Education from the University of New Mexico

Research and Professional Focus: Aaron specializes in environmental policy frameworks, renewable energy systems, and natural resource governance. His work integrates regulatory analysis with climate change mitigation strategies, emphasizing tribal sovereignty and sustainable development. Formerly a high school educator on the Navajo Nation and in Washington, DC, he bridges pedagogical practices with policy design.