Director Michelle Stone-Principato began her career with the Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division in October 2015. Michelle started her career with the Department of Revenue as the Agent in Charge of the Licensing Section, then as the Agent in Charge of the Enforcement Division, supervising four field offices throughout the state. Michelle was promoted to LED’s Deputy Director, then Director in April 2020. Michelle was instrumental in quickly deploying an online payment system and devising new and innovative solutions to keep businesses open during the pandemic. The Division implemented an online state application process and coordinated a file-sharing program with 350 local licensing authorities to improve the customer service experience. Michelle was instrumental in the enacting of Communal Outdoor Dining Area (CODA) spaces into law in the 2021 legislative session. The Division implemented the Nicotine/Tobacco Retailer licensing program in 2021, which educates and regulates approximately 4,500 retailers in Colorado while coordinating with local licensing authority partners. Michelle is a Colorado Task Force on Drunk and Impaired Driving member and the Western Regional Chair of the National Association of State Liquor Administrators. Previously, Michelle was given the honor and privilege to serve the citizens of the City of Lakewood as a Law Enforcement Professional for 17 years. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Metropolitan State College of Denver and a Paralegal Certificate from Arapahoe Community College. Michelle has continued her professional development efforts with the Harvard Kennedy School on policy implementation and the National Association of State Chief Administrators’ Transformational Leadership Program.