Cris Jones
Director of Community Vitality | City of Boulder
Cris Jones is a seasoned public sector leader with over two decades of experience at the intersection of transportation, urban planning, cultural programming, and economic development. As Director of Community Vitality for the City of Boulder, he leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for economic vitality programs, the Office of Arts + Culture, special events, and parking and access across Boulder's key commercial districts, including Downtown Boulder, University Hill, and Boulder Junction.
Cris began his career as a transportation planning intern with the City of Boulder while earning his bachelor's degree in environmental design with a planning emphasis from the University of Colorado Boulder. He later served in various roles with the city's transportation planning division, GO Boulder, and later Salt Lake City's Department of Transportation, where he oversaw implementation of complete streets initiatives and led the creation of Salt Lake’s first Transit Master Plan.
Appointed Director of Community Vitality in 2023, Cris has advanced major initiatives such as the Boulder Clean Commute program, supported transformative economic development initiatives, and led cross-sector partnerships such as the Downtown Ambassador Program in collaboration with the University of Colorado and the Downtown Boulder Partnership.
Cris also serves on the board of directors for the Clean Transit Enterprise, a statewide initiative housed within the Colorado Department of Transportation. In this role, currently as board chair, he helps guide investments that enhance transit operations and accelerate the transition to zero-emission transit vehicles and infrastructure across Colorado, reinforcing his longstanding commitment to sustainable, equitable mobility solutions.
A Colorado native with a deep understanding of community dynamics, Cris is known for his inclusive leadership, creative problem-solving, and dedication to building resilient cities through collaboration and innovation.
