Winter Park selects Pitkin County Manager Jon Peacock as next town manager

Jon Peacock, Pitkin County manager since 2011, confirmed on Monday that Winter Park has selected him as their next town manager.

The decision by the town of Winter Park is still pending official approval from town council, but the town formally put out a press release announcing their selection Nov. 4. 

“I love Pitkin County,” Peacock said. “I love the board I work for, I love the staff I get to work with, I love the community, I love the public. One of the things I’m most proud of in my life has been to serve this community for the last almost 15 years, but this gives me an opportunity to work in another mountain community that has a lot of really interesting projects coming up.” 

According to the Winter Park press release, Peacock’s start date at the town will be Jan. 12. Peacock’s contract with Pitkin County stipulates that he must provide 30 days notice before leaving, but the details of his departure still have to be worked out. 

“We have a contract for employment that goes in front of the (Winter Park) town council tomorrow,” Peacock told The Aspen Times on Monday. “Upon their acceptance, we will be under contract. Then, I’d be transitioning from Pitkin County to Winter Park over a period of time.” 

Peacock’s salary at Winter Park will be $255,000, according to the contract that is available via the Winter Park Town Council agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. Peacock’s salary at Pitkin County in 2024 was $278,924, according to a county notice. 

Following Tuesday’s Winter Park Town Council meeting, Peacock will be formally informing Pitkin County of his resignation and begin the transition process. At that point, Pitkin County will begin discussing details like a replacement county manager and Peacock’s final day. 

Peacock’s decision to shift to Winter Park was primarily driven by a desire to unite with his family, who currently live in the Winter Park area. 

“This will allow me to live with my wife and my family,” Peacock said. “(My wife is) over here, and I’ve been going back and forth for a couple of years now, and this allows me to bring that personal and professional life together.” 

Peacock was selected as town manager for Pitkin County in November 2010. His first day was Jan. 3, 2011. By the time he leaves the county, Peacock will have served the county for almost exactly 15 years. 

“I value our relationship immensely,” said Pitkin County Commissioner Jeffrey Woodruff in light of Peacock’s departure. “As a freshman commissioner, he’s my one and only county manager I’ve worked with, and I’ve valued that immensely.”