New Area Director Named for Cooperative Extension

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension has named a new director for its Golden Plains Area offices, which include Washington, Kit Carson, Phillips and Yuma counties. Dennis Kaan will fill the post.

Kaan comes to the position already having served as an agriculture and business management specialist in the northeast region of the state since 1997.

A Wyoming native, Kaan grew up on a ranch near Lusk before completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Wyoming. Before coming to Colorado State Cooperative Extension, Kaan worked for the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension as a research associate and as a farm and ranch management specialist. Prior to that, Kaan worked for the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation as an agricultural economist.

Kaan has been recognized with awards including Distinguished Cooperative Extension Program group award and Outstanding Cooperative Extension Project group award in 1997 as a contributing author for "Managing for Today’s Cattle Market and Beyond"; United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation performance award in 1993; and several academic awards including Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities. While he was at the University of Wyoming, Kaan received the United States Achievement Academy All-American Scholar award.

As a regional specialist, Kaan focuses on risk management education and production economics related to crop and livestock production. His research has focused on intensive dry land cropping systems, profitability and standardized performance analysis for cow-calf operations.

Kaan and his wife, Cheryl, have two children, Melissa and Dustin.