Christopher Aaby is passionate about people and the environment, believing that access to the outdoors and its benefits is a fundamental human right. Born in Norway but raised in Colorado Springs, CO, Chris often says he's a native Coloradan with a Norwegian passport.

As the Program Officer for Generation Wild at GOCO, Chris is excited to help communities connect kids and families across Colorado to the outdoors. He is dedicated to ensuring that all children and families have the opportunity to explore the state's many natural wonders and spend meaningful time in nature.

Before joining GOCO, Chris spent ten years connecting kids to the outdoors at the Catamount Institute in Colorado Springs. He started at the Institute as the Communications Manager in 2011 and became the Executive Director in 2015. During his tenure, he grew the organization to serve over 8,000 youth annually. He was integral in building a local Generation Wild coalition for the Pikes Peak Region, bringing more outdoor opportunities to youth in Southeast Colorado Springs.

Chris serves on the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Board of Directors and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs School of Public Affairs Advisory Board. In 2017, he was named a Colorado Springs Business Journal Rising Star, and in 2019, he received the Colorado Nonprofit Association’s Emerging Leader of the Year award.

When he's not working, you can find Chris at an early-morning fitness class, petting cats, hiking outdoors, scrolling through Instagram, or traveling the world with his husband.