Colleen Bates currently serves as a County Board Supervisor for District 12 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, since 1982. She is a community activist with a long history of service as a county board supervisor. As a member of the Eau Claire County Extension Committee, she has been a proponent of increased extension education services to urban audiences. As a strong Extension supporter, she has worked for a stronger connection between Extension and decision-makers on all levels of government.

Colleen is actively involved at the community level and served on numerous boards and committees. She is serving on the Extension Board of Visitors; Wisconsin Counties Association Board of Directors; Council for Agricultural Research, Education and Teaching (CARET) 2000-2013, 2018-2019, and executive committee 2007-2013.

She served as President of the Wisconsin Associated County Extension Committees for five years, and is currently serving on the Wisconsin Associated County Extension Committee Board of Directors as President for the Northwest Region.

Colleen worked for 38 years with her physician husband as P.J. Bates M.D. as a medical clinic manager. She is now enjoying retirement.

Her professional education includes Luther School of Nursing 1951 and University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (three credits to complete to graduate) a BA degree in History with a minor in Geography.