University of Colorado

Some people don’t just live in Boulder — they reflect it. Adrienne Markey is one of those people.

A Boulder-based writer, editor, and University of Colorado Boulder alumna (Class of 2025), Adrienne represents a new generation shaped by curiosity, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of language. An honors scholar who earned her B.A. in Spanish and English Literature summa cum laude, her work is rooted in storytelling that builds connection, care, and cultural understanding — values that feel right at home in Boulder.

Adrienne currently serves as the editor of AboutBoulder’s EmpowerGen column at AboutBoulder, where she helps amplify youth voices and spotlight emerging leaders, creatives, and changemakers shaping Boulder and beyond. The column reflects her commitment to listening closely, lifting others up, and creating space for stories that often go unheard — a reflection of Boulder’s long tradition of thoughtful, community-driven dialogue.

Her path has been shaped by years of working alongside young people and multilingual communities. While in college, Adrienne supported English language learners at Whittier Elementary School and the Family Learning Center, experiences that strengthened her belief in education as a bridge rather than a barrier. She also managed Shredder Ski School throughout her college years, balancing leadership, mentorship, and the fast-paced rhythm of mountain life — a very Boulder way to grow up and grow into yourself.

After graduating, Adrienne brought her language skills into the justice system, working as a Spanish-language translator in the Denver District Attorney’s Office. The role deepened her understanding of how access to language can directly affect outcomes, dignity, and fairness — lessons that continue to guide her work today.

Adrienne now serves as Chief of Staff at Dream Tank, a Boulder-based nonprofit advancing youth-led storytelling and systems-change initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her work sits at the intersection of creativity, advocacy, and action, helping young people use their voices to imagine — and build — more just futures.

Rooted in Colorado mountain culture, Adrienne grew up ski racing with Winter Park and still finds clarity and inspiration outdoors. Whether on snow, trail, or page, movement and reflection remain central to how she thinks and creates.

Now applying to law school, Adrienne hopes to combine law and language to help build systems grounded in justice, access, and opportunity. It’s a vision shaped by Boulder — thoughtful, outdoorsy, community-minded — and one that feels poised to travel far beyond it.

Faces of Boulder like Adrienne remind us that the future isn’t loud or flashy. Sometimes, it’s steady, intentional, and written carefully — one story at a time.

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