Boggs retired in 1999 and turned to his second passion, golf, becoming manager of the Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers two years later.
He replaces Martin Fredmann, who had held the position of artistic director for nineteen years; he resigned on October 11, 2005, after the board voted to replace him. Thirty-five candidates responded to the ensuing search for a new director; Boggs was chosen unanimously. Boggs' wife, Sandra Brown, is also a former dancer with ABT.
Boggs trained at the Atlanta School of Ballet and the New York City-based Robert Joffrey Ballet School. He was principal dancer of the Atlanta Ballet from 1978 to '82.
In a collective statement, Colorado Ballet company dancers said, "We are excited with the Board's decision and are looking forward to working with Gil. We are impressed with his vision for the company and can't wait to bring it to our wonderful audience."