Since graduating in 2014, Colby worked seasonally for MRC doing spotted owl research, and was a contracted waterfowl biologist with Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. In the winter of 2016, he joined the Idaho Department of Fish and Game full time to address depredations. He was promoted to Regional Wildlife Biologist in October 2019 and completed his Masters of Natural Resource from the University of Idaho in May 2026. He studied elk interaction with feedlot fence alterations over winter.