The Colorado Oil and Gas Association today selected Meg Collins as its president.

Collins will be the first woman to lead the local energy trade body and would replace J. Greg Schnacke who has led COGA since its inception more than 10 years ago. Collins will assume her new role on Aug. 24.

Schnacke has accepted a position at a Golden-based energy and mining lobby Policy Communications and will start his new job after the Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Strategy Conference & Investment Forum.

The conference, sponsored by COGA, kicks off Monday at the Colorado Convention Center. It typically attracts 1,500 to 1,800 registrants, including top representatives from the energy companies.

Ted Brown, chairman of COGA, said Collins' collaborative and consensus-building style is what the state needs as it moves forward in developing domestic energy resources.

"Meg Collins' unique qualifications set her apart during the selection process. She is dedicated to the State of Colorado and has a wealth of agricultural, water and industry experience," Brown said. "The Rocky Mountain West is doing its part to meet our nation's energy challenge, but we are at a critical juncture.

"I know Meg will be a great ambassador for the industry and reach out to stakeholders in the state and seek consensus on how to responsibly develop oil and gas resources."

Collins, a native Coloradan and longtime resident of Boulder, graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in environmental conservation. Since 2002, she has been responsible for the Colorado Livestock Association's government and environmental affairs efforts, and currently serves as chair of the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board, an advisory board to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Meanwhile, Schnacke's top priority at Policy Communications will be to campaign for opening up the top of the Roan Plateau in Garfield County for oil and gas drilling.

chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2976