Fractional CHROs in Denver Making Things Happen in 2025

Denver Interim Chief People Officers to Know

Denver has always had an independent streak. As one of the fastest-growing innovation hubs in the country—with strong sectors in SaaS, clean tech, consumer products, and healthcare—Colorado companies are scaling quickly, hiring cross-functionally, and managing hybrid teams from Day One. What they’re not always doing? Hiring a full-time Chief People Officer.

That’s where fractional CHROs come in.

These are strategic HR operators who step into growth-stage orgs, investor-backed businesses, and operationally evolving teams to lead people strategy at the executive level. Without the wait. Without the bloat. Just high-trust execution when it matters most.

At Digital Reference, we’ve identified a standout set of Denver-based fractional people leaders doing exactly that.

Our Selection Process: Why These Leaders

Every CHRO featured here is:

✅ Actively based in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro
✅ Working in a fractional, interim, or embedded HR executive capacity
✅ Publicly accessible via LinkedIn or firm sites
✅ Experienced across growth stages, transformations, or post-transaction settings
✅ Known for delivering strategic HR, leadership alignment, and operational clarity

We source with reputation, not just keywords. And we only include operators with credible track records and trusted references.

Denver Fractional CHROs to Know

🔹 Dan Bonach

Fractional CHRO | Culture Architect | Talent Strategy Partner
Dan brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience to his fractional work, specializing in high-growth, mission-driven organizations. He supports founders and COOs who are ready to professionalize their people function without compromising culture. Dan’s leadership style is equal parts operational and empathetic—making him a trusted partner across executive teams.

🔍 Specialties: Scaling HR systems, leadership coaching, values-aligned culture
📍 Based in: Denver, CO

🔹 Katie Spadoro

Fractional Chief People Officer | Founder-Centric HR Leader
Katie is a Denver-based people executive who partners with fast-scaling companies to design and implement modern, inclusive, and performance-driven HR strategies. As a fractional CPO, she operates like an internal executive—with the strategic lens and flexibility to support companies exactly when they need it most. Her background spans tech, consulting, and growth-stage orgs.

🔍 Specialties: Performance management, DEI, org design, HR transformation
📍 Based in: Denver, CO

As Denver’s ecosystem continues to grow, expect more fractional HR talent to emerge—Digital Reference updates its regional lists regularly to keep up.

Why Denver Teams Are Going Fractional

The companies scaling in Denver are asking different questions:

• “How do we grow our team without breaking our culture?”
  
  
• “How can HR become a strategic partner, not just a compliance function?”
  
  
• “Do we need a full-time CPO… or just someone sharp for the next 9 months?”
  
  

Fractional CHROs are the answer for:

• 🚀 Startups going from 15 → 50 employees in one quarter
  
  
• 🧭 Founder/CEO teams needing people ops guidance
  
  
• 🔄 Post-acquisition culture integration
  
  
• 📈 PE- or VC-backed orgs under pressure to deliver talent outcomes
  
  
• 👥 Teams experiencing engagement dips or retention issues
  
  

In a city that values intentional leadership, fractional people partners are helping orgs grow on-purpose—not just at speed.

The Traits of a Great Fractional CHRO

The best fractional HR leaders don’t just drop in. They dig in. Here’s what we look for at Digital Reference:

✅ Strategic depth with operational range
✅ Founder fluency and board confidence
✅ Reputation you can vet
✅ A focus on what works now—not just long-term theory
✅ The ability to build trust fast across functions

Dan and Katie both bring that to their fractional roles—and Denver companies are better for it.

More from Digital Reference

If you're exploring interim HR leadership, check these resources:

📘 How to Hire a Fractional Executive
A practical guide for founders and operators navigating interim leadership.

📍 The Importance of Professional References
Explore why third-party credibility is more critical than ever in today’s trust-driven hiring market.

📘 Collecting Professional References: The Dos and Don’ts
References are often the make-or-break element of your next opportunity. Yet many professionals still treat the reference process as an afterthought or, worse, scramble to collect them last minute.

📗 The Talent Ecosystem: Why Fractional Operators Are Reshaping the C-Suite
Explore the structural shifts behind the rise of fractional leadership and what it means for your next hire.

Final Word: Smart Companies Scale HR Strategy—Not Just Headcount

The companies succeeding in Denver aren’t just hiring fast—they’re hiring with intention. That includes flexible leadership models that adapt as the business does. Fractional CHROs offer that flexibility—with executive-level clarity and maturity.

Dan Bonach and Katie Spadoro are leading the way in Colorado. They’re not theorizing about culture. They’re building it—block by block, policy by policy, hire by hire.

If your team needs more than an HR generalist—but isn’t ready for a full-time CHRO—this is your blueprint.

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