Jake Niece

Jake Niece was raised in Greeley, CO and attended the University of Colorado where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. As a student, he worked in an aerospace lab operating NASA science satellites and upon graduating in 2008 went on to work at a startup developing a new kind of prosthetic foot.

In 2010, he moved to the western slope and began working as a wildland firefighter in the summer, and snowmaking at ski areas in the winter. In typical fashion, what was meant to be a yearlong diversion, turned into an eight-year career arc in both wildland firefighting and snowmaking.

After tiring of the seasonal work grind and housing struggle, Jake began working for EcoAction Partners, a non-profit that does energy efficiency work including energy audits and business consultations. Jake settled in Ridgway full-time in 2018 while he finished construction of his house.

In 2020, Niece was elected as a Ouray County Commissioner, which is currently his full-time profession.

Through it all he has maintained a healthy side-hustle in photography. His photos have been featured in a National Geographic online article, various magazines, ads, and high profile websites. He frequently photographs musical acts for the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride.

Jake enjoys many forms of outdoor recreation including quiet roadless multi-day backpacking trips, dual sport motorcycle riding, backcountry snowboarding, peak bagging, and elk and deer hunting.

Photography
Email: photo@jakeniece.com
Instagram @jakeniece
facebook: @JakeNiecePhotography

County Commissioner
website: jakeniece.com/OurayCounty
Twitter: @jakeniece
facebook: @JakeNieceOuray
email: jniece@ouraycountyco.gov

Web Features

·      National Geographic interview, #wildfire 2014: Fireside Chat. 11/5/2014

·      National Geographic, Wildfires From the Front Lines.  8/16/2014

·      PetaPixel, Firefighter Photographer Jake Niece Captures Beauty While Battling Destruction. 3/6/2015

·      The Weather Channel, Colorado Photographer-Firefighter Jake Niece Captures Stunning Photos of Chaotic Wildfires. 3/11/2015

·      4 Corners TV video interview, Jake Niece: Seeing Beauty Through Destruction. March 2015