Draft:James Burack

James Burack

James (Jim) Burack, Esq., is an American public safety official, attorney, and retired United States Marine Corps Colonel. He is best known for his leadership in Colorado state government, serving as the former Director of the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) and currently as a Deputy Director for the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM).

Early Life and Education

Burack earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College. He later attended the University of Colorado, where he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.). He also holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) from the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver. He is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy (230th Session) and the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP).

Military Career

Burack served for over 30 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of Colonel in 2021. His military service included both active duty and reserve assignments:

• Combat and Overseas Deployments: Served as a civil affairs officer in Ramadi, Iraq (2004–2005) and as a civil affairs team leader in Kosovo (1999).

• Legal and Liaison Roles: Served as a military prosecutor and Staff Judge Advocate at Marine Forces Pacific in Hawaii. He also acted as a liaison to FEMA Region VIII (Denver) and U.S. Northern Command, deploying for wildfire response in California, hurricane relief in the Virgin Islands, and COVID-19 response efforts.

Public Service Career

Law Enforcement and Municipal Administration

Burack began his public safety career in 1986 as a patrol officer with the Westminster Police Department in Colorado, following an internship with the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

From 2001 to 2014, he served as the Chief of Police for the town of Milliken, Colorado. In 2008, the town board appointed him to simultaneously serve as the Milliken Town Administrator. During his tenure, he was noted for his role as an incident commander during the 2013 Colorado floods, leading the town’s emergency response and recovery efforts.

Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division

In 2014, Burack joined the Colorado Department of Revenue as the Chief of Investigations for the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). He was appointed Director of the division in February 2016, where he oversaw the state's regulatory framework for medical and recreational cannabis until April 2021. During this time, he became a recognized expert in cannabis policy and served as the 2nd Vice President of the national Cannabis Regulators Association (CannRA).

Post-Director Roles

Following his departure from the MED, Burack served as a research fellow during the 2021–2022 academic year at the Metropolitan Police (New Scotland Yard) and University College London. He also collaborated on a police executive development project with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

On August 1, 2023, he was named Deputy Director of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Honors and Professional Memberships

Burack is a member of the bars of Colorado, California, and the District of Columbia. He has served as an adjunct faculty member in criminal justice at the University of Northern Colorado.

See also:

• Marijuana policy in the United States
• Colorado Department of Revenue