Karina Armijo

Director

Karina Armijo is leading statewide efforts to grow the outdoor recreation economy, expand equitable access, and invest in trails, outdoor spaces, and programs that connect people to New Mexico’s landscapes.

With 29 years in economic development, marketing, and tourism, Karina has built a career at the intersection of community impact and creative strategy. She has worked in both public and private sectors, from launching her career in design and communications at Los Alamos National Laboratory to pioneering the role of Director of Marketing and Tourism for the Town of Taos.

Since stepping into her state role, she has championed initiatives like the Outdoor Equity Fund — the first program of its kind in the nation, funding youth outdoor programs — and the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant, which strengthens local economies while preserving natural resources.

A lifelong advocate for time spent outdoors, Karina draws inspiration from hiking, fly fishing, and trail running across New Mexico’s diverse terrain. Her leadership blends strategic vision with a deep belief that outdoor recreation can transform communities, strengthen economies, and enrich lives.

Carl Colonius

Program Manager

Carl Colonius is a long-time resident of northern New Mexico. In 1995, he co-founded Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Taos, and was the Executive Director until transitioning out of the organization after 20 years. He then launched Colonius Consulting to focus on rural community sustainability. Projects included national service expansion in New Mexico, assisting in the development of the Enchanted Circle Trails Plan, then fronting Enchanted Circle Trails Association, and supporting strategic partnerships and organizational capacity with a multitude of local governments. In 2022, New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division invited Carl to join their team as an Outdoor Recreation Planner. Carl lives in Arroyo Hondo north of Taos, has been married to Romy for 25 years, and has three children, all graduates of Taos High School. Carl skis, bikes, kayaks, backpacks, gardens, assigns chores, is a parciante on the Acequia Madre del Llano, and can be found tooling around the west in an old airstream.

Evan Pilling

Grants Coordinator

Evan Pilling has called the Desert Southwest home for the past 25 years. Originally from the East Coast, he brings a wealth of trail and community-based experience to the ORD team. He most recently served as Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for the City of Farmington. Prior to that, he spent seven years as a freelance trails professional in Southern Arizona, collaborating with partners like Flagline Trails, American Conservation Experience, Coronado National Forest, and Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists.

Evan holds a bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation and a master’s in Counseling Psychology, both from Prescott College. He spent over a decade working in child welfare and community mediation, where his passion for the outdoors informed his work with youth and families. His background in counseling and mediation strengthens his outdoor recreation work.

Just about anything outside gets Evan stoked. Over the years he’s enjoyed whitewater kayaking rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. He’s also a mediocre dual-sport moto rider and has fun trying to keeping up with the cool kids.

Michelle Simon

Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

Michelle Simon is a passionate outdoor enthusiast dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the diverse and expansive outdoor recreation opportunities in New Mexico. She is committed to helping the state’s outdoor economy thrive. Michelle brings over a decade of marketing experience to ORD through various entrepreneurial ventures and her work in the nonprofit sector. She started her career in Chicago, where she earned a BFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago and founded a photography business that celebrated and brought visibility to the stories of LGBTQ+ families through portraiture.

Now residing in Las Cruces, NM, Michelle spends her time outside of work exploring the mountains via mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, trail running, and volunteering for youth-centered outdoor clubs and nonprofits. She also enjoys gardening, identifying local flora and fauna, and learning about the unique biodiversity and deep history of the Chihuahuan Desert and beyond.