Leadership
Dawn Laybolt to oversee the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland
Laybolt comes to the Forest Supervisor position after most recently serving as Acting Director for the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Planning Service Group.
(LARAMIE, Wyo.) August 6, 2025 – USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Troy Heithecker announced that Dawn Laybolt will serve as Forest Supervisor for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (MBRTB), beginning Aug. 10.
Familiar with the Rocky Mountain Region, Laybolt began her career as an archeological technician on the Nebraska National Forest and filled a temporary assignment as Forest Supervisor on the MBRTB in 2022.
Since beginning her federal career in 2009 she has worked in a variety of positions, starting as a field technician, eventually moving into leadership roles as a staff officer, district ranger, deputy forest supervisor, forest supervisor, deputy regional forest, deputy director and director on various forests in Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
Laybolt has a strong commitment to working across boundaries with partners, including state, tribal, federal, and public. She most recently served as Acting Director for the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Planning Service Group.
“I am excited to be returning to the MBRTB in a permanent capacity,” stated Laybolt. “Stewardship of public lands for the benefit and enjoyment of all Americans is central to my leadership style.”
Laybolt replaces Russ Bacon who announced his retirement from the Forest Service earlier this year. Bacon had been MBRTB Forest Supervisor since November 2017. Both Chad Stewart and Ryan Nehl served temporary assignments as Forest Supervisor this year prior to Laybolt’s hiring.
Herself a user of public lands, Laybolt can often be found hiking with her boyfriend and two dogs, mountain biking, and running.
The MBRTB is comprised of nearly 2.9 million acres of National Forest System lands in Colorado and Wyoming, with six Ranger Districts. Geographically, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests extend from north central Colorado to central Wyoming, and the Thunder Basin National Grassland is located in northeastern Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.
The Forests and Grassland are managed for multiple uses and public enjoyment. Its’ units provide a diverse mix of wildlife habitat, timber, livestock forage, vast mineral resources, and a vital source of water for irrigation and domestic use. Additionally, they offer diverse, year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.