Michele (Kurs) Frishman Email & Phone Number

The Arapahoe County Open Spaces program began in 2003 when citizens of Arapahoe County voted to fund the program through a quarter-of-a-penny sales and use tax (25 cents on every $100 spent). The tax was renewed in 2011 and made permanent in 2021. Our vision is healthy lands, healthy communities, healthy people. Our mission is to protect Arapahoe County’s treasured parks, trails, and open space for residents to enjoy today and forever.

Denver, Colorado

• Advised directors and managers of Real Property, Capital Programs, Procurement, Planning, Communications, Operations, Human Resources, Civil Rights, and Information Technology divisions• Drafted, negotiated, reviewed, and approved real estate, intergovernmental, procurement, and construction agreements• Developed and presented policies and procedures• Ensured compliance with internal, legal, and regulatory requirements• Reviewed and approved invitations for bids and requests for proposals• Reviewed and approved due diligence for real estate closings• Modernized and maintained templates for business solicitations and real estate, intergovernmental, procurement, and construction agreements• Advised project team and consultants on contracting software implementation• Mentored fellow attorneys• Recruited and supervised student law clerks

Denver, Colorado

• Supervised planning and execution of 13 annual, competitive grant programs that awarded more than $170 million of Colorado Lottery funds over 5 years• Directed management of all competitive grants• Supervised and mentored 2 grants officers• Approved all payments to grantees• Modernized and streamlined all programs’ grant agreement templates• Ensured compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and grant conditions• Trained program staff on grant management software• Identified process improvement issues and opportunities with stakeholder input; led cross-functional teams in improvement efforts

Denver, Colorado

• Managed 5 annual, land-conservation grant programs that awarded $61 million of Colorado Lottery funds• Presented funding recommendations to board multiple times per year• Managed land protection and conservation excellence grants, including review and approval of due diligence for land acquisitions• Supervised and mentored 2 program coordinators• Maintained and updated grant programs’ policies and procedures• Worked closely with land trusts and local governments around Colorado

Denver, Colorado

• Advised directors and managers of Engineering, Property, Purchasing, Operations & Maintenance, Human Resources, Planning, Public Affairs, Conservation, and Information Technology divisions• Served as Recording Secretary for Denver Board of Water Commissioners• Reviewed and approved due diligence for real estate closings• Drafted, negotiated, and approved real estate, consulting, purchasing,intergovernmental, construction, utility relocation, and non-disclosure agreements• Drafted invitations for bids, requests for proposals, and waivers of liability• Drafted and trained all divisions on contract policies and procedures• Developed and implemented new, efficient contract processes• Developed and administered SharePoint site to track legal assignments• Developed and launched organization-wide internship program• Recruited and supervised 1 to 2 student law clerks each semester and summer

Phoenix, Arizona

Boulder, Colorado

Jd, Law

Activities and Societies: Wisconsin Women's Law Journal

Bs, Journalism

Activities and Societies: Campus Press, Hillel