Don Brown

Don Brown (born December 29, 1954) is an American politician, farmer, and businessman who served as the commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture from 2015 to 2018. Brown is a third generation farmer from Yuma County, Colorado. During his tenure as Commissioner of Agriculture, he spearheaded the agriculture extension for the Colorado Crisis Hotline.

Early life and education Don Brown was born in Yuma, Colorado on December 29, 1954, where he was then raised on a family farm. He attended Yuma High School and graduated there in 1973. He graduated from NJC with a degree in agriculture, then transferred his credits to Colorado State University. At CSU, Brown graduated with honors in vocational agriculture education.

During his time at CSU, Brown was a legislative intern for Colorado Senate president Fred E. Anderson. The Colorado Senate approved the appointment of Brown on Feb. 17, 2015. Brown completed his tenure as Governor Hickenlooper completed his final term, in 2018. His work in the mental health space was honored with the 2018 Tribute Honorary Chair for Mental Health Colorado. Brown also served as president of the 13-state Western United States Agricultural Trade Association and vice chair for the Food Regulatory Committee for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The program was created to help Coloradans "feel more connected to farmers and their food sources." Panels and other outreach strategies were sent out across the state to display and discuss agriculture realities.

Farming Brown is a third-generation farmer, just southeast of Yuma, Colorado. He took over the operation of the farm and ranch after the accidental death of his father in 1993. Since assuming management of the operation, the Browns have expanded their family operation tenfold. Brown's practices have led him to serving as the president of the Yuma County Cattlemen’s Association and his farm being named the Yuma Soil Conservation Outstanding Conservationists in 1999.

Brown's farming has led him down business paths and ventures that turned into successful businesses. He is the founder of Pivotal Fencing Systems, which developed two patents for their technologies. Brown was also an early participant in horizontal drilling, forming Anchor Production LLC to develop and purchase oil and gas projects.