Archive - Commissioner Robert Hammond's Biography

Robert Hammond

Colorado Commissioner of Education (2010-2015)

A 26-year veteran education leader, Robert Hammond is known for his ability to implement transformational improvements in organizations. Robert came to be the top leader in Colorado’s K-12 public education system by demonstrating success in city management and the banking industry. It was from there that the Wichita Public Schools in Kansas tapped him to head its administration and operations division and later serve as associate superintendent.

In 2001, he moved to the Rocky Mountain state and was the chief operations officer for the Boulder Valley School District. In 2008, he was successfully recruited to apply his leadership talents to the state level when he was named the Colorado Department of Education’s Deputy Commissioner. Robert was then recruited as the Commissioner of Education in December 2010, and officially sworn into office in May 2011. He’s played an integral part in creating and implementing Colorado’s educator effectiveness system, new state academic standards and assessments, and a nationally-recognized accountability system grounded in student growth.

Understanding the essential role state support has in district, school and student success, Robert assembled a leadership team focused on serving and supporting Colorado districts. That leadership, along with really hard work from local educators, is the reason why Colorado has been recognized multiple times by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education. National officials commonly refer to Colorado as being on the leading edge and committed to implementing education improvement in the right way for our unique state.