Cole Chandler

Cole Chandler is a collaborative and solutions oriented leader who is working to ensure that all Coloradans have access to safe and dignified housing. Prior to joining CDHS as the agency's first Director of Homelessness Initiative's in August 2022, Cole spent a dozen years in direct service among people experiencing homelessness, including five years as the founding Executive Director of the Colorado Village Collaborative where he established tiny home villages and safe outdoor spaces for people coming from unsheltered homelessness in Denver. Cole's public leadership has been recognized by numerous local and national publications, most recently Cole was named one of 8 "Denver Power Players" by Axios and one of 10 "People to Watch in 2023" by Westword. Cole holds a Master of Divinity from Baylor University where he first began to explore his lifelong passion for creating social change. In his free time, Cole enjoys making woodfired sourdough pizza, cycling, trail running, and skiing at Monarch Mountain with his wife and two young boys.