Get to Know Us: Staff Q&A
Where did you grow up? Am I grown up? Wait, don't answer that. I was born in New York City, but I am also fourth generation to a farm in Maine and spent a considerable amount of time there (as well as attending high school in rural New Hampshire). So northern New England and one of the biggest cities in the world were my homes while I was growing up, the two chambers of my heart. I think it's why I firmly rooted myself in Colorado after arriving here in 1993. Colorado appeals to those two foundational places with its urban Front Range surrounded by wide open spaces and big sky.
What compelled you to come to Colorado? One of my best friends from college and I decided to come to Colorado together after graduation and we rallied two other friends to come with us. We drove across the country in a four-car caravan with . . . CBs! There weren't cell phones at the time. I towed a U-haul full of our stuff (with Raggedy Ann on the side) and was the front of the pack. Two of us are still here. Another returned to the East Coast within a year and the last moved to the Bay Area for her residency; in all fairness, she grew up in Colorado and wanted a change and then started a family and got stuck but she still loves Colorado and has family here. :) I stayed because this is where I'm meant to be.
What is your favorite outdoors activity in Colorado? Pretty much anything on a river. I have a raft and oar-frame and although I don't get out as much as I want to, I did just get a trailer, so that situation should improve. I also love to fly fish.
Why did you want to work for Keep It Colorado? This is such an exciting opportunity. This is one of the best jobs in conservation in Colorado! Here are just some of the reasons why: The community is creative, responsive, community-based, principled, practical, day-dreamy, and rad. The mission of Keep It Colorado, coalition-based work, is exciting and dynamic. The way the conservation community is learning to be so much more than the sum of its parts and more reflective of community is truly a game-changer. The creative ways conservation work is adapting to this current moment in time makes this, from my vantage point, the most exciting time in conservation. What an honor and privilege to work in this field at this time.
Hiking near Portland, Oregon.
Floating on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon.
Where did you grow up? Greeley, Colorado. I live in Denver and have also lived in Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Grenoble, France.
Hiking at Red Mountain Open Space in northern Colorado
What compelled you to stay in Colorado? I’ve been here since age 4 and have a visceral connection to this place – the wide-open spaces, the diversity of the landscapes and the high quality of life.
Favorite thing about living in Colorado: The chance to be outside all year round while still experiencing 4 seasons, and discovering wildly different geographies just a short distance from home.
Favorite outdoors activity in Colorado: Hiking on one of our state’s thousands of open space trails, gardening and walking through my neighborhood’s city parks.
Earliest memory of nature: Going to the ditch near my house with my brother – raking our fingers through the grasses looking for frogs and crawdads. Also, camping and fishing in Pike National Forest, at Red Feather Lakes and along the Poudre River.
Snow hiking in Chaffee County
Your wish for every Coloradan? That every person can experience nature starting at a young age on a regular basis, and feel drawn to choose nature over electronics.
Why Keep It Colorado? I was looking for a chance to leverage my background working in natural resources conservation and stewardship, and to work in a small, close-knit, collaborative team. I sure got all of that when I landed here.
Favorite aspect of your job? Getting to know the people doing on-the-ground conservation work and learning about the various projects happening across the state. It’s exhilarating to see this work in action. I enjoy getting my hands dirty in the process, too!
Exploring a scenic lake in upstate New York
Where did you grow up? Under gray skies and in the gorges of Ithaca, New York.
What drew you to Colorado? Big blue skies and warm-hearted, welcoming people.
Favorite thing about living in Colorado: Living against a backdrop of endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Favorite outdoors activity in Colorado: Gathering for dinner outside on summer nights.
Earliest memory of nature: Picking wildflowers with my sister in our yard and making up entire worlds underneath the spruce trees.
Hiking at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Your wish for every Coloradan? To breathe fresh air, drink clean water, enjoy healthy local food, and feel at home and at peace in the nature all around us every day.
Why Keep It Colorado? Sharing ideas and supporting work that advances conservation for a new age feels really compelling and valuable. I’m drawn toward opportunities for collaboration around common and complex challenges.
Favorite aspect of your job? Connecting with conservationists across the state and creating opportunities for sharing ideas.
Hiking at Garden of the Gods
Where did you grow up? Grafton, Illinois on an Illinois State Land and Water Reserve my parents protected with a conservation easement. I also lived in Carbondale, IL and Santa Barbara, CA before moving to Colorado.
What drew you to Colorado? I had visited Colorado many times and fell in love with its natural beauty and outdoor opportunities. I have watched a lightning storm from atop Mesa Verde, rafted the Poudre River, and hiked the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I always knew I wanted to live near the mountains.
Favorite thing about living in Colorado: Natural places abound and are diverse. I could visit sand dunes, plains, or subalpine forests on any given weekend.
Favorite outdoors activity in Colorado: Either hiking to mountain lakes or downhill skiing.
Exploring Sequoia National Forest
Earliest memory of nature: I grew up in the oak hickory forests of Illinois and remember taking walks in the woods with my parents. I would spend hours in the creek beds looking for fossils.
Your wish for every Coloradan? That every Coloradan, especially children, have access to nature.
Why Keep It Colorado? The idea that an organization exists to connect, enhance, and elevate the work of so many other amazing conservation organizations excites and encourages me.
Favorite aspect of your job? I love the ability to meet diverse partners and make connections with land trusts across the state, all while helping to ensure wild places will persist well into the future.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a rural area near Brighton, Colorado. I spent a lot of time playing pretend in my backyard field, riding horses, and convincing my school friends that it wasn’t too far of a drive to visit me.
What compelled you to come to/stay in Colorado?
Growing up in Colorado was a privilege. No other place offers the same sunny, midwinter days, beautiful yet swiftly melting snowstorms, and mountains on the horizon (how else am I supposed to know which way west is?).
What’s your favorite thing about living in Colorado?
The variety in Colorado is what I love most, from its distinct four seasons to its diverse landscapes across the state. I'm especially fond of the vibrant, diverse communities that call this state home.
What is your favorite outdoors activity in Colorado?
I enjoy taking my lab, Sage, on walks in different locations. Whether it’s a long adventure or a stroll through a hidden gem of an urban park, it’s my favorite way to enjoy nature. My latest find has been the Fairmount Cemetery.
What’s your earliest memory of the outdoors growing up?
My grandparents love the outdoors, and my grandpa often took me canoeing. One day, my excitement got the best of me, and I tipped the boat and dumped my grandpa into the lake.
If you had a wish for every Coloradan, what would it be?
My wish for each and every one of my neighbors is a safe and dignified home with easy access to good food, a supportive community, and the opportunity to connect with nature.
Why did you want to work for Keep It Colorado?
Brighton rapidly developed as I grew up. I saw the loss of the beautiful prairie that surrounded me, replaced by gas stations, auto parts stores, and rows of identical houses. While I welcome new neighbors and believe there is ample space and resources for everyone here, thoughtful development, and community planning are vital. It’s important to preserve Colorado’s natural beauty for all residents, including future generations.
What’s your favorite aspect of your job?
My favorite part of my job is taking things off my coworkers' plates. I am in awe of the innovative, well-run, and impactful programs my coworkers manage. When I can take over logistics and streamline processes, they can focus on even better program delivery. Plus, I get a dopamine rush from a job well done!
