About the Regional Coordinators
Regional Coordinators visit local projects and events, and help connect local advocates with the state and international resources they need.
Martie Semmer
Western Colorado Regional Coordinator
Martie Semmer is a retired educator and consultant, who specialized in “Kindergarten – Grade 12 Spanish Language.” She lives in Blue River, Colorado. Martie has been a member of the IDA Colorado Board since 2021. She serves on the IDA Colorado “Public Policy Task Force” and in the role as Western Colorado Regional Coordinator. To IDA Colorado she brings experience in networking and reaching out at local, state, and national levels.
Martie’s dark-sky advocacy includes work with the Colorado Governor’s Office and the Colorado legislature on a number of successful projects. She represents IDA Colorado in the “Care for Colorado Coalition.” As a member of the “Public Policy Taskforce,” she works with many governmental organizations in Colorado.
She enjoys swimming, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, camper van trips, spending quiet time in nature during all seasons of the year, along with her passion of experiencing the night sky and doing what she can to advocate on behalf of protecting and preserving the nighttime environment.
Martie fondly remembers two star parties at the Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe.
Richard OBrien
Northeastern Colorado Regional Coordinator
Richard OBrien is a computer network engineer, and works for the federal agency NOAA. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. He serves as Northeastern Colorado Regional Coordinator. To IDA Colorado he brings experience as a college professor, writing skills, and computer knowledge.
Richard’s dark-sky advocacy includes dark-sky presentations and demonstrations throughout Colorado. He’s worked with many Dark Sky Place recognition proposal teams and advocated with a number of governmental bodies. He founded the “Lights Out Colorado” program to help migratory birds by reducing light pollution.
He enjoys hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, bicycling, and stargazing.
Richard remembers many exquisite stargazing experiences, including one at Dinosaur National Monument.
Ryan Parker
Denver/Central Colorado Regional Coordinator
Ryan Parker is a realtor, and works for RE/MAX Alliance Good Neighbor Living. He lives in Castle Pines, Colorado. He was previously Chair of the Colorado chapter. To IDA Colorado he brings his ability to work with people, and his Christian beliefs.
Ryan’s dark-sky advocacy includes many years as an IDA member, and many accomplishments as Chair of the Colorado chapter.
He enjoys the great outdoors, stargazing, dark-sky outreach events, traveling, camping, riding horses, going to the family ranch, restoring old trucks, shooting, hunting, fishing and spending quality time with family and friends.
Global IDA memberbership
IDA members with a Colorado address are automatically part of the Colorado chapter.
