Kathryn Winn has represented all types of local governments since 2008, with a focus on general counsel representation of special districts, municipalities, authorities and library districts. Kathryn speaks regularly at the SDA Annual Conference and Spring Workshops on topics such as open records, open meetings, boardsmanship, the Special District Act and HIPAA. In addition, she updates the SDA Board Member Manual annually. 

Before joining Collins Cockrel & Cole in 2008, Kathryn managed the Open Space Grant Program for Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), handling complex conservation easement transactions.  She believes the best part of her work is the relationships she builds with clients across Colorado.

Kathryn earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Mary Washington College in Virginia and received her law degree from the University of Denver.

  • Tips & Tricks: Compliance with Colorado’s Open Records Laws – September 2024, SDA Conference
  • Successfully Navigating Workplace Investigations – September 2023, SDA Conference
  • Employment Gone Awry: How to Navigate Employee Complaints, Grievances, and Investigations – September 2022, SDA Conference
  • At-Will Employment: The Myth, the Truth, and Everything in Between  – September 2019, SDA Conference
  • Come One, Come All: Your Journey Into the Special District Form of Local Government Continues… – June 2019
  • Dum Dum Board – September 2018 SDA Conference
  • Attention All Units: Standby for a Social Media Emergency – SDA Conference September 2016 
  • Law & Order: Special Districts. Investigating the Legal (and Practical) Obligations of District Directors and Managers Through Real World Examples – 2015 Spring Regional Workshops
  • What the Law Requires of Board Members and Managers…and How to Do it Wrong. – June 2014
  • HIPAA: What You Need to Know Before (Incorrectly) Disclosing Patient Information – September 2013 SDA Conference
  • Board Member Regional Workshops – 2012 to 2025

Kathryn currently lives in Golden with her daughter and husband, a retired professional cyclist from Australia. Having been raised in a military family with multiple moves, she is happy to have called Colorado home since 2003. Kathryn enjoys fine coffee, ice cream and wine, and is fluent in both American and Australian English, but still refuses to touch Vegemite. Her activities outside the office include cycling, cross-country skiing, hiking, animal rescue, photography and teaching tricks to her cats and dog.