Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Burley is a purpose-driven climate leader and coalition builder with more than 15 years of experience advancing decarbonization strategies, clean energy initiatives, and systems-level climate solutions across municipal, nonprofit, and statewide sectors. As Chair of the Board of Directors for Colorado Communities for Climate Action, she helps shape climate policy and advocacy efforts representing 49 local governments and approximately one-third of Colorado’s population.
Burley’s career has been defined by her ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to create scalable, equitable solutions that drive meaningful community impact. She specializes in translating complex policy and regulatory environments into actionable strategies that advance clean energy, electrification, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development. Her leadership has contributed to the deployment of more than 500 net-zero workforce housing units, installation of 42 public EV chargers, acquisition of federal funding for renewable energy infrastructure, and development of innovative clean mobility and sustainability programs.
Prior to her statewide leadership roles, Burley spent eight years with Town of Breckenridge, where she led implementation of ambitious community-wide goals focused on climate action, renewable energy, water conservation, and waste reduction. She also served on the Colorado Energy Office Energy Code Board, helping guide the development of updated building energy codes across the state.
Her passion for sustainability was shaped by academic studies in international development and political science, where she explored how tourism and outdoor recreation can positively influence community development. Those interests led her through experiences in public policy, nonprofit work, and outdoor recreation before ultimately returning to local government to drive climate action at the community level. Throughout her career, she has remained focused on balancing environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and quality of life for residents.
Burley earned a Master of Arts in International Development from University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and International Studies from Emory University. Known for her collaborative leadership style, systems thinking, and commitment to public service, she continues to champion innovative partnerships that accelerate climate progress and create more resilient communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think the most rewarding thing about the work that I do is that it's community-based, but it has a global impact. I'm working on this so that my kids and my grandkids can have a healthy, prosperous future. My proudest accomplishment is helping communities and governments, which are sometimes not seen as communities, come together and collaborate to amplify policy change at the state and federal level around climate. We are a tiny town here in Breckenridge, Colorado, of only 5,000 people, and so it seems daunting in the face of global challenges - like, what can we do? But in building coalition and building relationships across governments, we've been able to really expand and export those ideas and have much, much larger impact than we would have on an individual level. I'm very proud of helping to build those coalitions.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep your opportunities open. You never know where that might lead. I also would say, don't take no for an answer. If you want something bad enough and someone has told you no, figure out another way to make it happen.
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