41st Wildcatter of the Year Gala

November 14, 2026 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (MST)

Description

Please plan to join us for the 41st Wildcatter of the Year Gala.

The Wildcatter of the Year is presented annually to a widely respected individual in recognition of their contribution to the industry as a bold entrepreneur as well as, service to the community. The award honors a career of leadership, business innovation, and consistent success and dedication that helped shape the industry in the West and the community at large. View a complete list of Wildcatter Award Recipients.

Click here to view the 2026 sponsor prospectus. 

^{41st Wildcatter of the Year}

Following in the footsteps of many luminaries in the Denver oil and natural gas community, we’re excited to reveal that our 41^st Wildcatter of the Year is Robert “Bob” Boswell, chairman and chief executive officer of Laramie Energy.

Bob grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at a time when it was the “Oil Capital of the World.” Consequently, he became enamored with the industry at an early age. After high school, he attended Vanderbilt University where he earned a degree in chemical engineering, magna cum laude, then went on to The University of Texas, where he earned his Master of Business Administration.

He started with Tesoro Petroleum in San Antonio, Texas. During his career, he has worked both in oil and natural gas exploration and oilfield services.

In 1989, Bob joined Forest Oil to help the company work through a recapitalization of its balance sheet to position the company for future growth. In 1995, the Anschutz Corporation invested in Forest Oil, and Bob was later named CEO. During his tenure, the company drilled wildcat wells offshore in the Gulf of America, Alaska, the Northwest Territories of Canada, Thailand, offshore South Africa, and mountain front plays in Albania and Switzerland.

With the formation of Laramie Energy I in 2003, Bob built a team with Bruce Payne to focus on emerging unconventional resource plays and identified the Piceance Basin as an area in Colorado that had a large resource base. After the sale of Laramie I, Laramie Energy II was formed and has built a position with approximately 1,600 wells on its 185,000-acre position in Western Colorado.

Bob has served as a trustee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and as a board member of the Denver Area Boy Scouts. He is past chairman of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, and a board member of Colorado Uplift. Bob serves on the advisory board for Petrie Institute of Western Art. He has been a member of All-American Wildcatters since 2001.

^{Leaders of the West Awardees}

Attire: Black-tie optional. For women, this generally means a full-length silhouette or cocktail dress. For men, a tux isn't required but welcomed.

Event Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be given for cancellations after October 28th. Outstanding invoices as of October 28th will be subject to cancellation.