The Town of Ignacio is thrilled to introduce Weylin Ryan as the new Town Manager. Growing up in Bayfield, Colo., Ryan brings a unique blend of environmental stewardship, tourism expertise, and a genuine passion for connecting people with each other and the natural world.
Ryan is no stranger to Ignacio, having worked for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for nine years; seven at the Sky Ute Casino Resort, followed by two with Southern Ute Shared Services.
Ryan stepped into the role of Town Manger in January of this year, a position appointed by the Ignacio Town Board.
“Essentially, I act as the administrator to make sure that we have our daily business going, and that staffing is at adequate levels,” Ryan said. “Another way to think of a town manager is as a CEO, or head of a company, with the Mayor and the Board of Trustees guiding policy, financial decisions and direction of the town with input from the town manager.”
Ryan’s journey includes earning his Eagle Scout rank, spending a decade as a raft guide, and earning degrees in Technical Theatre and Sustainable Tourism. Most recently, he served as Sustainability & Policy Manager for Visit Durango, focusing on balancing visitor impacts with community well-being of La Plata County residents.
“The place is only as strong as its people, and the bonds and collaborations of those people,” Ryan said. “With that, the Tribe is integral to Ignacio’s success as a community, and that the town residents are also successful in their personal lives.”
“We have some projects we are wrapping up, a gas line retrofit that we are doing, an ongoing storm drain project. Right now, we are investigating how we are going to have a really good downtown community anchor for gathering, a place where residents can come down and enjoy their town in a community setting.”
“It’s still in the early stages, but we will definitely be having lots of community engagement with that,” Ryan said. “There’s a lot that’s already been done that we can wrap into this project and get all of our residents on board.”
Beyond his professional experience, Ryan is an active outdoorsman, where he enjoys many different forms of recreation. His collaborative approach and ability to bring diverse visions together make him an ideal fit for the community.
“This area of La Plata County is amazing, I’m excited to be back, and I want to see Ignacio and the surrounding area have its traditions that make it so strong and be able to support that way of life going forward,” he said.
When he’s not working, you might spot Ryan on the slopes, on the trails, or teaching his young son to appreciate the wonders of nature that make Southwest Colorado a unique place to live. “Please join us in giving Weylin Ryan a warm welcome as he begins this new chapter with our community.”