More About Elizabeth
In 2018, I moved to La Plata County to begin the greatest adventure of my life: starting a family. Originally living near Lemon Reservoir, today, I live in Hesperus with her husband (seen here) and her two children. I can be found about town, in the mountains or splashing in our regional lakes and ponds. However, if you really want to get to know me… Spend time with me in the garden or in the kitchen: there you will find that I have been experimenting with growing heritage fruits and vegetables adapted to our unique climate, and preparing them for extraordinary meals.
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My life motto: if you are more fortunate than others, it is better to build a longer table than a taller fence.
My Story
I was born at the foot of Mt. Rainier, Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Jack Philbrick and Ann Walton. My family embodied a heady mix of discipline, creativity, intellectual curiosity and a strong respect for diverse cultures. I earned my degree in Political Science from the University of Washington by the age of 19 and evan at that young age, I was laser focused on the importance of quality education. Upon graduation, I moved across the country to intern for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and my worldview grew exponentially.
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My career really began in Washington, D.C. when I attended lunch with my home state Senator, Patty Murray. At her weekly coffee, I asked about the development of a particular policy - No Child Left Behind. As I walked away from my Senator’s office, her Chief of Staff caught up with me and offered me a job… there, in the hallway. After that, I spent nearly a decade working in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Analyst, Advisor, and Correspondent in the heart of our Federal government. There, I developed a deep respect for the inner workings of government—and also a growing curiosity about how public spaces shape democratic life.
That curiosity led me to pursue a Master’s in Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University, with a focus on systems design and community planning. I believe sidewalks, parks, roads, and schools are not just amenities—they’re the connective tissue of a healthy society. While in graduate school, I met my husband, Jared Scott, in a restoration ecology class. He was studying wildfire management, and we bonded over land, resilience, and long-term thinking.
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In 2017, we moved to Southwest Colorado to plant deeper roots. Together, we launched EsoTerra, a cider and wine business grounded in agriculture, conservation, and innovation. Against the odds—including a pandemic shutdown two weeks after opening—we’ve grown EsoTerra into a regional success story.
Now, we’re developing The Arboretum: a 70-acre estate just 15 minutes south of Durango, where we preserve over 250 heritage apple varieties and 33 experimental grape cultivars. It’s more than a winery—it’s a hub for research, land stewardship, and community. We have collaborated on research with Fort Lewis College, supported regional food systems with the Good Food Collective. We have donated time and product to dozens of non-profits across the region and gained international recognition for quality products and regenerative farming practices. EsoTerra is more than a regional business, it is a true model for what agriculture, tourism and rural economic development can look like for La Plata.
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In 2026, I offer myself, my time, and my expertise to bring the same systems-level thinking and collaborative energy to the position of La Plata County Commissioner.