On any given day, you’ll most likely find Aimee either hiking the Flatirons or in the kitchen experimenting with new vegan recipes. Aimee is a recent graduate from The University of Colorado at Boulder with a double major in Studio Art and Film Production. She currently works as a freelance video editor for clients ranging from Yoga Journal to Warren Miller Entertainment. If you asked her to work on a fun project or experimental film, she’d most likely say, “When, where, and what do we need to get started?”

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship

Originally from Indiana, Ali developed a passion for photography in high school where she worked as a darkroom lab assistant for several years learning the processes and roots of photography. Ali attended CU for undergrad graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Studio Arts, Minor in Business, and Certificate in Advertising in May 2015. Ali currently works part-time for a wonderful company, Health-Ade Kombucha. When she is not sipping Kombucha, she is developing her freelance design company, Caribou Road Designs--where she is focusing on everything from designing album covers, to graphic t-shirt designs, to custom made stained glass. Ali has had her photography featured in the Denver Month of Photography 2015 and has had published work that has appeared on the National Park Trips website through Active Interest Media in Boulder. Aside from focusing on her creative endeavors, Ali is most drawn to the outdoors and surrounding nature that nourishes her soul.

Born and raised in Colorado, Alyssa McGownd is no stranger to the outdoorsy and fun-loving spirit that comes with living in this state. She is currently majoring in Broadcast Production and Film Studies and minoring in Business at the University of Colorado. Fresh from living a couple months abroad in Europe, Alyssa is excited to take her travel bug and further explore the nature and streets of Boulder. She is often found kicking back in the Colorado sun, while jamming to some Motown.

Amanda Cruz is a freelance writer, editor and certified yoga teacher. Holding a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder, her passion for the written word runs deep. Starting out as a prelaw student, her direction eventually unfolded into the realms of health and wellness, through the art of storytelling. An avid lover of adventure, Amanda makes nature her playground, and movement her medicine. Now, as a fulltime freelancer, you’ll find her behind a keyboard crafting content in topics ranging from meditation to circadian rhythm–inquiring and pondering along the way. As an editor, she enjoys adapting to multiple projects and mediums. Need literary guidance on a novel, or thesis development for an academic article? Challenge accepted!

When not glued to her desk or locked to a book, Amanda will be cutting through slopes on her snowboard or traversing up mountains. To view her latest written pieces, visit her at https://www.tuneus.com, where she is a contributing writer and editor for an up-and-coming holistic health organization.

Andrea wants to live in a world where the neighborhoods are walkable, bike lanes are plentiful, and the food is fresh, delicious and readily available.
A 20-year veteran of the health and wellness industry, she started her career in the fitness industry while earning a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and then on to the burgeoning field of worksite wellness. Andrea has competed in collegiate level soccer, worked as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, wellness coach, and master trainer, climbed 14ers, and completed cycling centuries and metric centuries. All of these experiences give her the opportunity to view well-being from many different perspectives.
When she’s not helping others to be their healthiest self, you can find her at a farm to table restaurant, down dogging at the yoga studio, or experiencing the Colorado landscape on a bicycle, snowshoes, cross country skis or on foot.

Andrew is a student at the University of Colorado studying Political Science, Finance, and Philosophy. He hopes to objectively better Humanity by finding sustainable and cooperative solutions to the political problems of the status quo. He has been passionately working to complete his first book—The Human Right—where he is trying to create a meaningful political philosophy. His interest in politics, debate, business, and writing have inspired him to become active in the Boulder Community in various meaningful ways. Andrew is also a tremendous lover of music, art, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and skiing. A St. Louis, Missouri native, Andrew moved to Colorado to take advantage of the state’s natural beauty, ample sunshine, and endless inspiration.

Andrew has an eclectic basket of experience that he brings to his life coaching clients. He taught subpersonality work at two hypnotherapy schools, worked in finance for 18 years, hosts Smash it Back, a punk rock radio show on KGNU. He also works with investors who invest in late stage private equity as an adjunct to their investment portfolios.

He has a photography show coming up in Barcelona, Spain where he and his family lived before moving to Boulder.

A bit of a gypsy, his wanderlust is sated by taking cross country road trips on his almost vintage Moto Guzzi and traveling overseas.

At present, he is working on a book of photographs chronicling a juxtoposition of photographs and stories entitled "unfinished business".

Originally from Irvine, California, Bennett Black is a senior Finance major at the Leed’s CU School of Business. He is a lifelong entrepreneur, starting his first business at the age of 15 putting up open house signs for real estate agents, and is passionate about telling the stories of other young entrepreneurs in Boulder. He currently manages Bold Slate, a modern digital marketing agency specializing in small business website design and local SEO for contractors. Besides building his business, Bennett is passionate about music and plays the drums, piano, and guitar. His favorite song is Sleep Walk by Joe Satriani.

Bergen is an animal lover, arts and crafts dabbler, and board game enthusiast.In her free time she likes to read, and she runs a horror review blog. She has lived in Colorado all her life, except for a year she spent studying abroad in Wales: she has been to 15 countries and three continents and has ambitions to make it to many more. People come from all over to go camping and hiking in the Boulder area, and she gets to do it every weekend! She looks forward to writing about one of her favorite topics.

Billy Oppenheimer, born and raised in Philadelphia, attended Lehigh University where he studied English and Economics and played Division 1 lacrosse. After graduation, a realization that he hadn’t ventured far from home and the comfort of friends of family sparked a quest for adventure. He spent six months playing and coaching lacrosse in Perth, Western Australia before a month-long van excursion along Australia’s East Coast. An unrelenting itch to ski impelled him back to his homeland and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The itch became a bug prompting him to chase winter to New Zealand then back to Colorado. Nomadic wanderings sated, he landed in Boulder in August 2018 eager to immerse in a community passionate about a healthy lifestyle amid the great outdoors. Billy is particularly interested in creative writing; he is passionate about learning and enjoys challenging and exploring abstract ideas. Learn more about Billy at his personal blog, www.bopparound.blog, and email him at billyoppenheimer@gmail.com to be featured or recommend someone for “Faces of Boulder”.

Bonnie is currently a senior at the University of Colorado in Boulder studying Biology.

Based in Ohio, Branson found his love for photography and videography in high school after joining the school news. While there he wrote, directed, and edited a short comedy series. His first short film was also featured at the school’s film festival in 2015. He has continued to direct short films and videos ever since. Soon after high school, he packed his bags and moved to Colorado to pursue a career in photography. Branson spends most of his time making short films, taking pictures, or mindlessly bladdering about movies. When none of those things are happening, Branson is probably working at his retail job in the mall.

Dr. Brenna Bray, a local health and wellness coach, stress researcher, associate professor, and avid ultra-marathon mountain runner, holds PhDs in Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, and Complementary and Integrative Health. Her journey through an eating disorder fuels her dedication to coaching, merging personal experiences with scientific expertise. Through her practice, Bray empowers clients to access and harness their innate healing abilities and achieve remarkable health and wellness transformations. Committed to community engagement and holistic well-being, Dr. Bray shapes a brighter, healthier future for all. Learn more about Dr. Bray at www.brennabray.com.

With a creative eye and the desire to capture life's striking moments, Brooke started to build her skill in photography. It started with a Bachelors Degree in Digital Media from Lee University and has now turned into Freelance work of all occurrences.

As a multimedia professional with more than 5 years of experience, she’s worked for Traveling Studios, Mintwood Photo Co, Vineyard Chic Kitchens, YMCA, Tour Edge Golf, Imago Photography, and Lee University Media. Her engagement and lifestyle photography has been featured on Wedding Guide Chicago and multimarz.com.

When she’s not snapping or creating photo posts for small businesses and bloggers you can find her, short term road tripping, cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks, jamming to present-day music, and throwing the Frisbee around.

Possibly the most demanded and powerful strength she could ever hope to have when it comes to making herself successful is the ability to form resilient relationships. Photography and relationships go hand in hand.

Visit nonnative.photography to view her most recent work.

Chris grew up in Dover, Delaware with his sights set on the wild west. Inspired by 80’s and 90’s- era ski movies Chris found his way to Gunnison, Colorado in 1999 to attend Western State College, now Western State University, and to ski Crested Butte. In this little mountain town in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo mountains Chris also found a lovely little plant called cannabis. Chris still lives in Colorado, having moved to Fort Collins after graduating to follow his love of skiing, mountain biking, and all things outdoors. Currently working as a budtender with 7 years experience in the cannabis industry Chris has a passion for cannabis, a desire to write, and a love for Colorado.

Chris is an avid trail runner, photographer, climber, and overall adventurist that recently completed his Bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing. Originally from New Orleans, he left sea level for the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado in 2010 and has never looked back. Between adventures, he enjoys updating his blogs and photography sites, as well as exploring the many fascinating opportunities Boulder has to offer. Chances are, you will see him running on one of the many trails in Colorado’s stunning countryside, waving hello with a big smile and a camera.

Clayton grew up in Los Angeles, California but spent most of his time riding bikes and helping out at his grandparents ranch. When it came time to look for colleges he knew he wanted to get out of California, and CU Boulder seemed like a perfect fit with ample outdoor opportunities. Once in Colorado, Clayton joined the CU Cycling team and started racing and riding mountain bikes almost every weekend. During four years of racing, somehow he also had time to complete a degree in geology.

Corey’s interest in progressing humanity towards a more sustainable future started when he was a child. As an Environmental Studies major from CU specializing in Natural Resources and the Environment, Corey has gained invaluable insight for how to successfully boost sustainability in one’s own life and as a member of the community. His focus has also included a strong dedication to understanding human relationship with the rest of their environment, as well as all facets of the energy industry.

A writer, photographer, and aspiring strategist, Cortney Ratashak attends the University of Colorado Boulder in pursuit of a strategic advertising major, and both a creative writing and business innovation minor. Her love for writing flourished in high school as she was a part of the school newspaper for four years. Many of her articles were published on the national edition. In her free time, Cortney is either attending a concert or enjoying Colorado’s outdoors by rock climbing and camping.

Born and raised in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, Daniel Paiz has been writing rhymes and poetry since the age of eight. He then decided to make the journey north where he attended and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May of 2013. Daniel currently writes his own music blog (Cypher Sessions) as well as writing about the exceptional music scene here in Boulder for AboutBoulder. His writing has earned him trips across the nation and have presented some exciting opportunities for him, including the chance to update one of the best cities in the world about the expansive and rich music scene here in Boulder.

David was born and raised in Marin County, California and moved to Boulder, Colorado to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated in 2013 with a degree in creative writing. David has been a part of the About Boulder team since August of 2013, writing blogs and serving as Director of Social Media. He currently works in public relations and is coauthoring a book about how to succeed in college.

Emma was raised in the rolling hills of beautiful downtown southern Vermont. She is a Green Mountain girl with a soul that belongs in the trees. She currently resides at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. When she isn't strapped into her snowboard, you can find her smiling, assisting patients at a downtown Boulder medical dispensary.
Emma received a degree in Professional Writing from Champlain College in 2011. Her words have captured the green of Ireland and Dublin's pubs, the island shores of Greece, and most often the soul of Vermont. She is currently working towards her tea mastery certification with The American Tea Mastery Association.

Originally from Chicago, Gerardo studied Sustainable Business at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He first moved to Colorado to become a summer naturalist and sustainability intern in the Vail/Avon area were he led interpretive nature hikes, wrote for the Vail Daily's online column, and participated in community outreach initiatives. His passion for photography began with his involvement in the high school yearbook- later supplemented in college with courses in digital and film photography. Guided by the notion that a sense of community is a prerequisite for sustainability, he hopes to further unite the Faces of Boulder by sharing their stories.

Hagen Reedy was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming and grew up in Littleton, Colorado before moving to California for the majority of her young life. In Clovis, California, she ran cross-country and track for her high school. She was a cross-country Division 1 California State Champion in 2011 and was a two-time All-American before she moved to Colorado to run for the Buffaloes. Unfortunately, after many injuries, she had to give up competitive running. She is now pursuing her passions in writing and photography, traveling around Colorado and capturing the beauty of this richly diverse state. She is a sophomore at CU Boulder, majoring in English/Creative Writing, with plans to travel and share the beauty of the world's landscapes and cultures through film, photography and writing.

Heidi Cuppari, a graduate of Brown University, is a pioneering figure in the fields of sustainable financing, impact investing, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, and women's leadership. Having moved to Boulder in 2006, she has spent nearly two decades contributing to the growth and development of the impact investing and social entrepreneurship community in the city.

With a personal life as vibrant as her professional one, Heidi is a devoted mother and an integral part of a close-knit family. She started a family legacy art gallery and celebration space called Cuppari Mondo Bello, in collaboration with her children and her father, the acclaimed Italian artist Pasquale Cuppari. This venture was initiated to uplift her father during the challenging times of COVID-19, and it has since morphed into an avenue for social impact through the amplification of consciousness-evoking art.

In her career and volunteer activities, Heidi strives to align global social impact with collective action. As the founder of Island17 and Dream Tank, and as a council member of The Digital Economist, she continually advances her mission of fostering a healed planet and peaceful world. She recently co-created the Playa Puertecito Collaborative, an initiative aimed at building a sustainable community on the Sea of Cortez. Her work emphasizes the power of collective impact and highlights the importance of giving a voice to the younger generation in shaping our shared future.

After 8 years of unleashing the spark and genius of young people, Heidi has refined and honed her empowerment coaching and mentoring program and is now offering private sessions with youth, families, and groups via Teens and Parents On Track.

Helen Kuhn is a writer hailing from the east coast. She moved to Colorado in 2015 to finish getting her Bachelor degree in English at the University of Colorado. Before making the move to Denver she interned with the Daily Camera in Boulder and with Philadelphia Weekly. She spends her times slinging drinks for work and writing poetry for fun. When she isn't writing or messing around on the keys at open mics her passion for beer has led her to finding some of the most delicious breweries around the city. She can't wait to explore more and share her love for Colorado.

Jared is a local content contributor and aspiring author. He was fortunate enough to grow up in Golden, Colorado and graduated from MSU Denver. While an insatiable love of travel lures him all over the world, his roots remain firmly planted here. He enjoys writing short stories, poetry, children's books, societal observations, and everything else. A nature enthusiast and sunshine connoisseur, Jared is perfectly at home on any mountaintop or patio. He frequents art galleries and concerts, poetry readings and breweries, museums and bookstores. When he isn't making neighbors cringe at his musical attempts he can be found on a snowboard or sailboat, depending on the day. A perpetual adventurer and eternal patron of the road less traveled.

Javaher “Java” Nooryani is an Iranian-American writer and former barista.

A recent grad from the University of Colorado – Boulder, Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising, an additional field of study in Anthropology, and a certificate in Digital Media. All three of these things combine what interest her most: culture, people, and their relationship with modern media. Originally from northern California, she chose to venture to Colorado not only because she fell in love with CU, but also for the mountains, the ski slopes, and the bounty of breweries to explore here. Her time spent studying abroad took her all over Southeast Asia and Africa, so she has walked along the Great Wall of China, explored the temples of Angkor Wat, taken in the beauty of the Taj Mahal, and dived with Great White sharks in Cape Town. All this has given her a little perspective on how gorgeously complex the world is and how much more there is to see. Find her at the local happy hour deal on Pearl Street, hiking at Chautauqua Park, or binge-watching “The West Wing” in her room.

Jessie Hanson lives and works in Denver and couldn't be happier about it. Like the best-possible kind of Jekyl-and-Hyde scenario, she splits her life between science and storytelling. During the day, she performs clinical diagnostics and messes around with test tubes. At night, she performs behind the mic as a standup comedienne, in the air as a circus aerialist, and in rhinestones as burlesque dancer. She begrudges the hyper-inflated cost of a decent pair of false eyelashes. When she's not on stage, she sweating it out as an endurance athlete in triathlons and marathons across the West. She begrudges the hyper-inflated cost of a decent pair of running shoes. She's thrilled to be on board with OnDenver and writing about science, comedy, circus, athletics, and general fun on the Front Range!

Originally from Lone Tree, CO, Joseph Inclan graduated from Regis Jesuit High School in 2010. He applied to just two universities, DU and CU Boulder, and was accepted by both. Joe chose CU for its beauty, and the appeal of the open-minded and quirky city ensured him how right he was to choose Boulder. With a Bachelor’s degree in both English Creative Writing and Philosophy from CU, he has dabbled in everything from poetry to basic technical articles for 3DPrintingIndustry.com. His hobbies have a range too, from fountain pens and handwriting, to yoyos and skill toys. The most important thing for Joe is to understand things complexly. Boulder and its residents live in an evolving miasma of ideologies and cultures which demand more than a 2-Dimensional perspective. Joe’s fascination with Boulder stems from the fact that it is far more than the sum of its parts, and that is a unique quality. He is glad to be a writer with AboutBoulder.com and looks forward to spreading his knowledge of Boulder with the community.

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com

Joe can always be seen around Boulder equipped with a camera capturing the everyday moments that define our city. Originally mentored by esteemed photojournalist Kevin Moloney at CU-Boulder, Joe has now evolved into an established multimedia journalist. He has been an editorial intern for the Boulder Weekly, covered the 2012 Presidential Election, covered action sports at Skiing Business and Copper Mountain and was awarded three journalism scholarships for his work as an editor and multimedia reporter at the CU Independent.

Josh is an adventure photographer, trail runner, and overall mountain enthusiast. He studied Cinema at the University of Hartford and left the Green Mountains of Vermont to pursue big mountain dreams in Colorado. Photography has always been a passion of his, documenting hikes and camping trips around New England. He has worked in Breckenridge as an Epic Mix Photographer and as an Adventure Instructor at Avid 4 Adventure. Josh’s accomplishments in the running community include a 3:04 finish in the Boston Marathon and a 2:57 finish at the Pikes Peak Ascent. You’ll find him running and climbing amongst the foothills, and always on the search for an epic sunrise or a delicious post run smoothie. He enjoys spending time with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousins who also live in Boulder.

Joshua is from Detroit, Michigan and came to CU for school. Joshua takes photos of people. Street photography, portraits, you name it. He has a fascination with people and thinks that everyone has something interesting to give. He is a senior with a BFA in film production and has recently returned from film school in Prague. Josh can be found in the ATLAS building working with other students or at the REC center playing basketball.

Joshua is currently a senior attending the University of Colorado at Boulder, and will be graduating in December, with a degree in Psychology, with a very strong focus in Marketing. After being born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, his mother decided to move him to Colorado to further challenge him in academics. In addition to academics, Joshua specializes in photography, creative writing, musical writing, team sports, and social media marketing. Joshua spends as much time as he can on the move, exploring, interviewing people, reading, staying active, and trying to do whatever it takes to win the day. He really likes to think that all people have a story to tell, and these stories can really influence your perspective on life. Joshua believes that art and love is what keeps him alive. Time is not money, it’s priceless!

Julia is a sociology and strategic communication major at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is deeply interested in facilitating communication between and within social groups and organizations. Her experience in organizing social outreach campaigns through Boulder County fills her with a passion for community involvement and social engagement. As a Boulder native, she spends as much time as possible getting outside by hiking Chautauqua, camping, and otherwise enjoying Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine.

Julie Dale is an author, certified coach, motivational speaker and former world-class athlete. She embraces life to fullest.  Ever since she was a child she has always pursued big dreams with enthusiasm and determination. In high school she was a state champion cross country runner, and later in life she went on to be a professional cyclist competing all over the world for Team Saturn and the US National Team.  She finished 6th in the 2000 Olympic Trials and represented the USA in the Winter World Triathlon championship in Norway in 2006.  She also competed in elite adventure races throughout the US. Her competitive drive has served her well in the business and the entrepreneurial world as well.  She has trained and coached sales people to triple their previous sales records. In 2014 she began creating wealth in real estate investing by doing fix and flips, wholesale deals and creative acquisitions.  As a successful real estate investor, she coaches individuals who want to pursue investing as a source for passive income. A common thread throughout her life has been a love for people and encouraging those around her to live their best lives.  People often come to her with questions of how they can do what she does. She is always happy to share her insights and lessons along the way, while embracing her own ongoing journey of learning and growth. With years of life experience she has recently launched her coaching business and is working with individuals and teams to live a life they truly love.   Aside from being a mom, this work is the most fulfilling work Julie has ever done. There is nothing better than seeing people come to life and experience the joy and abundance that she believes is everyone’s birthright.

Raised in Colorado, Boulder has always been a special place to Kailey. From hiking in the mountains to exploring Pearl Street, Kailey has always loved the energy and uniqueness of the people and city of Boulder. Kailey attends St. John's University in New York, where she is pursuing a marketing degree, along with a minor in photojournalism. She writes editorials and features for the Torch Newspaper and is excited to add photography into her journalism. After experiencing the beauties of the world during her semester in Europe, Kailey aspires to capture the splendor of Colorado as she explores new places and meets new people.

Kaleigh is currently a senior studying Studio Art and Anthropology at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Raised in Austin, Texas, she chose to venture to Boulder to expand her studies in a similar “college town” atmosphere. She has participated in classes that she has collaborated with, and had group exhibitions as close as CU campus, and as far as Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this type of exposure, Kaleigh looks forward to finding new projects and meeting interesting people along the way. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and is on the never-ending search for the perfect eggs Benedict.

Kate Galt writes the Motivation Monday Blog for AboutBoulder.com.

Her mission is for those in relationship to be the best they can be to each other. If that’s not happening, it’s time for an overhaul.  As a Certified Relationship Coach, Kate Galt is known as the Breakup Expert because she understands the healthiest way out of heartache. The breakup transition is a HUGE change that takes an enormous amount of energy to overcome. If she can motivate, uplift, and guide men and women going through this devastating transition, she’s living her purpose.

Share these resources with your friends in need. Kate’s YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/thebreakupexpert) is a five-star resource. Her Friday Night Broken Hearts Club (https://kategalt.com/webinar-registration/) is a free online meeting not to be missed. These tools provide tips and strategies to recover faster and start laughing again.

Kate hopes the Motivation Monday Blog inspires you to dream big and follow-up that dream with bold action!

Katie traded in her flip flops for hiking boots at age three when her family moved from sunny Florida to even sunnier Colorado.  Katie’s passion for food began at an early age when she would retrieve a strip of bacon from the counter each morning - a daily treat from her nanny.  That was only the beginning for her love of food.  After graduating with a degree in Communications (with an emphasis in Public Relations), she got her foodie start as Yelp Denver’s first intern and has been scouting places to nosh all over Denver since.  For the past 9 years, Katie has maintained Yelp Elite status and made lasting relationships with local business owners, while continuing to be an avid food consumer and writer.  Her latest cravings and discoveries are frequently documented on her Yelp page.  Katie is known for her unique and witty writing style, obsession with avocados, and is considered the go-to girl when it comes to finding a place to dine.  When she’s not finding a way to quit her day job to be the next Guy Fieri, she can be found slinging balls on the golf course, binging on true crime podcasts or indulging at a local brewery in the burbs.  Look for her work each Friday under Bites with Blondie.

Katy Caballeros moved to Boulder from Grand Rapids, MI. She studied English and writing at Aquinas College and pursued a liberal arts career path gone crooked, occupying jobs ranging from telemarketer to kindergarten phonics tutor. Passionate about local advocacy, Katy admires Boulder’s proclivity towards progress, scholarship, and environmentalism. When she isn’t writing or listening to KUNC, Katy likes to explore local cafes and bookstores with her partner, Em. Passionate about motivating young people, Katy is an assistant coach for the Boulder High School cheerleading team (Go Panthers!). Grateful to be welcomed into the Boulder community, Katy wants to give back by informing Boulderites about the best places to play and visit in their community.

Kelly was on the fast track to a law degree until she decided to give it all up for a life of traveling, climbing, and adventure. She was born and raised in Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in Geography and Psychology, and a minor in Philosophy. During her time at CU, her summers were spent living out of her not-so-trusty Jeep collecting tree core samples in the backcountry of Montana, while spending the school year working at The Spot Bouldering Gym and skipping class to climb rocks. Now, out of school, she spends most of her time wrestling pebbles (bouldering) throughout the Front Range and trying to find new spots to climb, fish, and hike. She is passionate about all things outdoors and hopes to share this love with anyone who will listen.

Kelsey is a Midwest-to-Boulder transplant, originally hailing from the quaint college town of Bloomington, Indiana. At Indiana University, she graduated with a BA in English and a minor in History, participated in and interned for the Indiana University Writer’s Conference, and took no small pride in critiquing other writers’ work for production at the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Currently, Kelsey is learning the ways of proper Boulder behavior, hitting the outdoors every weekend, intensifying her yoga habits, and learning to climb rocks. She’s likely to be found enjoying some of Boulder’s local brews and regaling someone with that one Neil Young story about the peach, laying in a hammock and reading a rock memoir, or saying hello to your puppy on Pearl Street.

Kirsten is inquisitive by nature and loves a good story, which is why she got her degree in HIstory from Metropolitan State College of Denver and Film from Colorado Film School. She feels passionate about building sustainable community, affordable housing, holistic living, and practicing mindfulness. Kirsten is always looking for opportunities to bring sustainable value to the Boulder community and history is a great teacher. As a long time Boulder resident and real estate agent, she receives many opportunities to learn more and more "About Boulder" to share with her clients, and LOL, the stories abound!

Kristen is a writer, filmmaker, and author of the children’s book Timmy the Button. She is a self-professed foodie and carries a deep pride for Colorado’s craft beer scene. Born and raised in Colorado, Kristen’s wanderlust and love for the outdoors came at an early age while camping and hiking with her family in Colorado’s Flat Tops. After graduating with a BA in English and Screenwriting from Azusa Pacific University, and after a short stint in West Hollywood, she returned to Colorado and fell in love all-over again with the hiking trails near Boulder. When Kristen isn’t enjoying the outdoors, you can find her at a live show, tucked away in a writing corner, hanging out with her band, or enjoying a sunny spot in the city with good food, drink, and friends. Check out more of her writing on her personal blog www.kristen-rea.com and find Timmy the Button at Boulder Bookstore, all Tattered Cover locations, BookBar, Powell’s City of Books in Portland, and online.

Lee is a native Coloradan and resident of Boulder. Like his parents he came to attend CU, graduating with two Film Studies degrees, a minor in Philosophy and an intimate understanding of sleep deprivation. He settled into post-college life, establishing himself in the tech industry, but it was impossible to remain creatively stagnant. Enter in a lifelong obsession with storytelling, and out came a writer dedicated to craft. Over the years he has authored enough novels, short stories and essays to bring on tendonitis reserved for those twice his age. Despite that, he couldn’t stop being curious about people’s lives— whether real or fictional—even if he wanted to.

Columnist | Sustainable Energy Advocate | Financial Advisor

Les, originally hailing from Minnesota, embarked on a remarkable journey that has defined his career and passion for sustainable energy. With a diverse background in both the military and finance, he brings a unique perspective to the realm of environmental advocacy and financial well-being.

THE ARTIST & HER ART
Dog Daze Photo - photography you can hear

Lisa Siciliano is a full time self-taught, professional photographer. Over the last 26 years she has made art working as a house photographer for Red Rocks, The Boulder Theater, The Colorado Sound, Chautauqua Music Hall, Bellco Theater & Marquee Magazine. Her black & white photos are taken on 35mm film, hand processed, & in many cases printed in her own basement darkroom. Lisa has photographed over 30 album covers, captured numerous promotional band photos, and even has her work displayed back stage at Red Rocks, on the wall at The Fillmore Auditorium, Cloud Medical offices, in the Lobby of The Boulder Theater, backstage at Bellco Theater and in numerous homes around the world. She has worked with music producers, record company's and band publicists nationwide. In addition, Lisa photographs weddings, portraits, promotional photos, and events. Most recently, Lisa launched her passion project Lumin which aims to shed light onto marginalized people, forgotten culture & the unseen. She seeks to create images that will help us see each other more compassionately.

Lizzie works as a seasonal for City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, spending her days among the flora and fauna of Boulder both on and off the job. When it comes to knowing what to do and whats going on in the numerous open spaces around Boulder, Lizzie is your girl. After graduating from the University of Texas with a Geography: Environmental Resource Management degree, she came to Salida, CO to work in the San Juan National Forest and surrounding areas on a trail crew. Previously she has worked for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, other trail crews, and as an environmental educator. She has a passion for spreading environmental knowledge and bringing nature straight to the people.

Lori Malcolm hails from a mountain town in western Maryland where she studied marketing, at Frostburg State University. She left a career in sales and sold her home to discover America from the front seat of her Subaru. After 48 states and 30 National Parks, Colorado was her first choice to call home.

After her two year journey, Lori settled in Boulder County and rekindled an old passion with cannabis. Her affinity with the ancient plant intensified after watching her husband suffer from the debilitating impact of rheumatoid arthritis and then seeing the incredible results of CBD tinctures to his continued recovery.

Lori currently works as a content writer and a cannabis trimmer. As an outdoor enthusiast, Lori enjoys all things Colorado, like hiking a 14'er or snowshoeing the high county. As a perpetual traveler, she looks forward to her next adventure, wherever it may take her. She and her husband reside in Lafayette, CO along with their two cats, Sage and Meadow.

Although she graduated from the University of Virginia, Mariah is a Colorado native. She loves everything outdoors and life surrounding it. Mariah loves outdoor adventure and capturing nature with photography. She travels the state most weekends backpacking, climbing, or snowboarding. She is also interested in travel photography and hopes to travel to New Zealand and Asia within the next few years. Engaging with new people and learning about their lives is also one of her interests, and she hopes to continue to combine her love of people and photography. Mariah is currently aspiring to expand her photojournalism skills into a full time career.

Marshall Cody grew up in Hilton Head Island in Coastal South Carolina before moving to Boone, North Carolina to attend Appalachian State University where he studied Journalism and Technical photography. After graduating Marshall spent about 8 months traveling all over the United States experiencing all the life and culture that lies deep in the heart of America. Most recently he moved to Boulder from Salt Lake City, Utah where he enjoyed winter among the Wasatch Mountains. He is now pursuing his passions in writing, fine art photography, design and music. A classically trained jazz percussionist turned lead guitarist, Marshall plans to take full advantage of all Boulder has to offer and experience the rich life and diversity of this amazing town.

A senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Martine studies English Creative Writing and actively pursues areas of study such as visual arts, linguistics, psychology, peace studies, and much more. Since middle school, Martine’s passion for life and its journey has translated into her writing—fostering a need for constantly new surroundings and unique experiences. This has led her to write not only about life in a ‘rose-colored’ glasses manner, but has also strengthened her love of photography. She loves spending her free time with outside with her dog and camera; shooting life in way that not only captures natural beauty, but also emphasizes the hidden details of her surroundings by taking the path less hiked. Since moving to Boulder, Martine has fallen in love with rock climbing and hiking, leading her to spend many sunny afternoons in various parts of the front rage and further strengthening her love of nature. With the Flat Irons as her backdrop, Martine is never in need of inspiration and aims to reveal the hidden treasures Colorado has to offer.

Mary Cochran is an expert in planning, marketing, and content creation. Co-founder of Launching Labs Marketing, a full-service agency offering branding, web design, and marketing to growing companies, she uses her consulting skills to help clients plan, launch and become leaders in their industries. Drawing upon her years at strategic consulting firms, she understands the startup landscape and what it takes for businesses to grow. Cochran helped promote over 100 companies helping them unleash their business and thrive. Mary is well known in the Boulder marketing scene with offices in Boulder and Loveland.

Mary loves Boulder where she raised her family and can often be seen hiking the trails, shopping at the farmers market, or dining at the local restaurants.

Launching Labs Marketing is a full-service agency that offers branding, web design, and marketing. It helps startups and growing businesses establish or build recognition of their organization. Launching Labs services clients nationwide, in a range of industries including technology, non-profit, lifestyle, health, and apparel. To learn more visit launchinglabs.com or call 720-600-9059 or email info@launchinglabs.com.

Nothing in the world is off limits. Matt has always believed this.

Matt’s obsession with success and personal development began with a push-up routine he developed at the age of 9. Since then his passion has manifested itself in a variety of outlets, mainly: athletics, sales and entrepreneurship. Matt excelled in athletics and had a successful career as an NCAA division II baseball player. He was also fortunate enough to achieve honors as a top-performer in the #1 ranked sales internship in the country while wrapping up a degree in Engineering from Colorado School of Mines.

Matt went on to build his first successful business after graduation, acquiring 330 clients in just over 3 years – equipped with nothing but a telephone. Matt’s motto has always been “Relentless Forward Momentum”. He believes in it so much that it became the brand and launch platform for his first self-published book and action guide. When he is not fighting to inspire others, he is blogging, re-recording a failed YouTube video, playing racquetball, doing yoga, working out, reading business books, or obsessing over Katy Perry.

Matt is convinced that moving to Boulder to attend CU has been the best decision of his life. He fell in love with Colorado and discovered a new passion for snowboarding when he first visited the state in 2010. Matt is now a third year student studying technology, arts and media with hopes to turn his passion for photography into a career. You can find Matt behind the lens shooting for the CU Independent or on the court setting for CU Men’s Volleyball if he doesn’t run into you somewhere downtown. Upon graduating from CU, Matt plans to travel the globe as a photojournalist in hopes to quench his thirst for adventure.

Meghan MacPherson is a third-year journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder. Raised in Portland, OR, Meghan's interest in media journalism, news reporting, and print writing has been lifelong. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a career in broadcast journalism as a news correspondent or television personality for a major media network. Sports have always played a major role in Meghan’s life; she played for Emerson College’s NCAA D3 women’s soccer team for one season and is now a part of CU Boulder’s club soccer program. Meghan is the founder of her own Instagram blog, Meg's Planted Kitchen, where she posts nutritious plant-based recipes, wellness tips, and fitness inspiration.

Go West to find your groove

This is a story of how two east coast musicians found love, music and community in Boulder Colorado.

Mojomama has been a force on the Boulder music scene since 2002. The founding members Paul and Jessica Rogalski meet in a local cover band in 2000 playing clubs and weddings all over Colorado. Together they were bonded by a love of creating music and performing from an authentic perspective. Mojomama has evolved over their 20 plus years, writing arranging and producing 7 original albums . Putting roots down in Longmont they opened a school for music in 2007 to inspire others to follow their passion for music. The pair has struck a balance between playing live performances on weekends and teaching their students during the week. Mojo’s music academy also creates jobs for hard working local musicians who are passionate about teaching and performing in our community. They currently have 12 teachers ,providing voice,guitar, bass, piano, drums, violin, viola,cello,and ukulele. The mission is “Building community through music education”. In retrospect we have made some of our deepest bonds and friendships by sharing our talents and skills with like minded individuals. Although, taking the show on the road wasn’t in the cards for Mojomama, we strive to be true to ourselves and our original music while educating and inspiring others. Mojomama continues to entertain crowds at festivals, and local music venues. The band plans on creating a new album of original music they call “Funked up blues”.

Official Site: mojomama.net

As a member of the Navajo Nation, it is in Nancy Novak’s ancestry to walk in beauty. Her own walk brought her from a Midwestern upbringing in Ohio to fledgling adulthood on the fashion forward streets of Manhattan to now, actual adulthood amongst the natural, relaxed trails of Colorado. She is a writer (who after a stint at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College accidentally ended up a pediatrician) with a penchant for all things beautiful. That means you. And often make-up.
In an ideal world she would spend her time petting kittens while reading novels inside Sephora, but writing this column is pretty much the next best thing.

Nick Sokoloff is an Advertising major with a Technology, Arts, and Media minor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Nick is an avid fan of all things creative, yet thinks of himself as a business-minded individual in a constant search for endeavors and skills that he can find passion in.

Nick is a fast learner, especially when it comes to technology, and loves being able to add new applications to his expertise. He constantly finds himself spending hours on his computer creating video edits of his travels, perfecting photos in Adobe Lightroom, and producing music on his computer. He is passionate about all things music. Whether it is discovering, creating, or collaborating. In short, Nick loves to create.

Nicks' hobbies are guitar playing (both individually and in a band), photography, video editing, music production, movies, skiing, snowboarding, wake boarding, surfing, and all things travel oriented. While a California native, Nick has grown to love Colorado and all things Boulder. Chances are you will find him on the slopes, camera in hand, trying to capture the perfect shot!

Paige is a professional writer, author, Subconscious Health Practitioner, and international award-winning Impact Speaker. She is the founder and owner of her emotions-based healing practice, where she helps men and women struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction to process the subconscious programs that trigger present-day stress using over 14+ modalities from Eastern / Western medicine combined. You can learn more about Paige and her work on her website.

Patrick is a recent graduate from Grand Valley State University. He earned degrees in Criminal Justice and Environmental Studies, and excelled in Track and Field. Within his first few seasons, he twice qualified for the National Championships. Patrick decided to pursue other ventures his last two years of college, chiefly climbing and adventure photography. His love for photography and the outdoors landed him in Boulder shortly after his collegiate career, where he hopes to explore the community and show Boulderites what makes their home so unique. Besides checking out the city, you can find him hanging out at a local crag, falling down a mountain on two skis, or trying to check off the next 14er on his list

Growing up in New York, Rachael Moynihan attended Rochester
Institute of Technology for New Media Marketing and Web Design.
Having a passion for the outdoors, arts and fitness brought her to the
gorgeous city of Boulder. She dedicates her work being a front-end
website developer, social media analyst and graphic designer.
Rachael also enjoys exploring the mountains, creating art and
heating up the kitchen. Having a passion for food and local shops will
make for great blogs and analyses. She is excited to begin exploring
Boulder’s finest gems for AboutBoulder’s blog.

Rachael Romero is an author, editor and Colorado native who has lived in Boulder for more than twenty years. She earned her BA at Regis University, where her developing interests in literature, history and education inspired her to write fairy tales and historical fiction for children under the name "Marian Rosarum". This summer, she will graduate with her MFA in Creative Writing. When she does not have a pen in hand, she enjoys hiking, doing tai chi, and traveling, although she always happily returns to the beautiful Rocky Mountains at the end of her journeys.

Rachel Busnardo received her MFA in creative writing (emphasis in poetry) from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2014 and her Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies from the University of California, San Marcos in 2010. She taught creative writing at CU for several years where she witnessed, and felt, the energy of Boulder’s diverse, artistic community firsthand. Her mission is to highlight the talented artists and writers that help make Boulder a beautiful place to live both inside and out. She loves the outdoors, but indoors (and in secret) she’s also an avid gamer and (not-so-secret) a poet. You can check out some of her work at Bone Bouquet, decomP, and MadHat Lit to name just a few.

Rachel’s passion for photography began in high school, on a hiking trip into the Great Smoky Mountains. Not only did she realize how much she loved working with a camera, she also realized how much she loved being in the mountains. So in July of 2015, she said goodbye to Baltimore, drove across the country to the gorgeous Colorado Rocky Mountains, and she has never looked back. Currently, Rachel lives in Boulder and works in business development for a Logistics company in Louisville. She graduated from Goucher College in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and a minor in chemistry while also competing with the Goucher women’s swim team for four years. She has been a part of numerous photography workshops, focusing her efforts in wildlife and landscape photography all over the country, including the Rockies, Smokies, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, and Utah. In her free time, Rachel spends most of her time outdoors and in the mountains, hiking, camping, and exploring. She also spends a good amount of her time updating her photography and travel blog website. She believes in following your passions, the power of laughter, and enjoying the simple things in life.

Rea McLaughlin is an enthusiastic soul that loves life from Colorado. She loves the Colorado sunshine and enjoys partaking in it often by going climbing, hiking or camping. She attained her BFA in Film Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she fell in love with storytelling. After living in NYC for a year to pursue film, Rea is happily back in Colorado enjoying the mountains and sunshine. One of her favorite themes to explore in her art and writing is the human spirit and human connection. When she’s not climbing or creating, Rea loves traveling to music festivals and going to Red Rocks shows. She might ask you for your birth time to check out your astrology chart too! (She is a Leo Sun, Scorpio Moon, Aquarius Rising). She loves to enjoy life and squeeze the very best of out of it.

With over 15 years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry, I have cultivated an extensive expertise in the realms of cigars, spirits, and the cannabis industry. My journey has seen me not only operate and own dispensaries across California but also collaborate with esteemed publications like Enthusiast Report & Cigar & Spirits magazine, delving into the nuances of high-end luxury lifestyle. Through strategic marketing initiatives, branding endeavors, and innovative advertising campaigns, I have navigated the intricacies of these niche markets, leveraging my passion for the products and profound industry insight to drive growth and establish impactful brand identities.

Ryan Petry is a local professional triathlete and mountain bike racer. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2014 and moved to Boulder to pursue his career as an athlete. Ryan loves everything about Boulder and knows the in's and out's of the local triathlon community. Often training with world champions and up and coming superstars Ryan can give an inside look into the life of the pros, as well as the resources in Boulder that will help any athlete achieve their goals.

Sam Skelton is a junior at University of Colorado at Boulder who is studying advertising and creative writing. When he’s not studying hard at the library, he writes blogs about the great outdoors on the About Boulder website. In addition to being the Outdoor Blogger, Sam Skelton is also About Boulder’s Director of Pay-it-Forward Friday and is an assistant trainer for the state-of-the-art Multimedia Toolbox. He hopes to eventually become either a professional explorer of outer space or a copywriter in advertising, but the second one is considerably more likely.

Shane Williams has been immersed in meditation and yoga for over 30 years and has spent the last 25 years creating calming meditation music under the name Third Eye Sound. Shane’s approach to music production blends Tibetan singing bowls, percussion, and electronic elements, all deeply influenced by Nepali culture and heritage. Through these compositions, Shane brings the beauty and depth of Nepali traditions to a wider audience, connecting listeners to the rich sounds and spirit of Nepal.

This content has been published by AboutBoulder in conjunction with a local business, organization, or community member. This content may have been paid for, and also may include links not directly associated with AboutBoulder or its parent company, MetroSampler. We do our best to ensure that all content is consistent with our core beliefs and is safe/valuable for our audience. To inquire about sponsoring your own content, please email info@metrosampler.com.

Stephanie is a road warrior, adventure seeker, and brand builder. She grew up in the mountains of Colorado and after spending nearly a decade between the PNW and the east coast, she’s proud to once again be calling Colorado home. Well, home for now. Stephanie recently bought an Airstream with the intention of living a more minimalistic and nomadic lifestyle. After logging over 20k miles in her car last year, chasing rock faces in the summer and powder days in the winter, she realized that life could be a hell of a lot simpler if she could carry her house with her on these adventures. In 2017, she started her own marketing agency, Sleigh Creative, to take control of her freedom. As a freelance creative director and brand strategist, she spends a lot of days playing and even more nights working. In all things, be it work or play, she seeks to inspire people to the life of never settling. You can follow along with her journey on Instagram, @by.stephanieleigh, and through her self-titled personal blog.

Photography isn’t just about capturing a moment; it’s about capturing personality and a story. After graduating from University of Denver with a criminology degree, Stephanie Tyson wasn’t a hundred percent sure what she wanted to do. A summer spent photographing the zipline at the Colorado Adventure Center in Idaho Springs, decided her passion for photography can’t be ignored for the “practical” approach of a life in the office. Born and raised in Colorado, she is no stranger to the beauty that this state has, both in landscape and in people. Her heart lies with the ocean, and when she gets the chance, you can find her sitting on the shore line shooting surfers all day. During the summer, there’s a good chance she’s exploring or hanging out on the fence line at a rodeo with her camera. All other times, you can find her in Starbucks, curled up with her cat, or at the archery range.

Summer is a recent graduate of Fairview High School and this fall she is embarking on an exciting new chapter at Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder, where she will continue to fuel her passion for entrepreneurship and social impact.

Summer has taken on a vital role as a co-author and assistant producer for our EmpowerGen column, amplifying the voices of young changemakers and driving meaningful conversations around the pressing issues of our time. Her keen insights and creative approach make her a valuable asset to the team.

Throughout her journey, Summer has been an advocate for Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. She co-founded Dream Tank with her brother, mother and a group of leaders in Boulder, which supported the incubation of Story Architects, a film production company, where she and her partner created Youtube Shows and produced films that raise awareness and inspire action on climate change. Her dedication to empowering children and inspiring them to make a difference is unwavering.

Summer has served as a youth delegate at several United Nations summits, both in person and online during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has had the opportunity to engage with global leaders, contributing her perspectives and ideas for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Taylor Denton is a movie-loving, vegetarian, nerdy student living in Boulder, currently working to complete a degree in English. She was born on March 22nd, 1998, in Springfield, Missouri. She began writing short stories when she was in middle-school, publishing her first poem in a book created by her school. In high school, her love for creative writing expanded and came to life. She has continued to write, which has become her passion in life. She now writes in college from the perspective of a student, working as often as she can to keep her voice active and evolving while she continues to purse her enthusiasm for writing.

Theresa Duncan is primarily a student of writing and lover of literature, currently pursuing a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Cambridge, England. She has previously worked for Ocean Magazine and the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, and enjoys learning about the esoteric eccentricities of every town she visits. She loves books of all kinds, climbing and bouldering around Colorado, and drinking a jag of Pimms with her tutors when she’s in England. She has a BA from California Lutheran University in English and hopes to eventually pursue a Ph.D in Literature.

Tommy spent six and a half years in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer, holding numerous leadership positions and doing multiple combat deployments. Upon leaving the service, he worked with multiple nonprofits, helping wounded service members and veterans recover through cycling and triathlon. This work deeply resonated with him and led him to pursue a Master of Arts in sport psychology.

Working in this capacity, Tommy embraces the wise words of Henry Ford, who once said, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford was talking about mindset. Mindset is everything. The way we think, the way we interpret sensory information, and our ability to thrive in complex environments are all determined by our mindset. It grounds our approach. It either helps us get where we want to go, or it is what is holding us back. With this understanding, Tommy works with athletes, performers, and business professionals, to hone their mindset, enabling them to find the results commensurate with their innate abilities.

Tommy is an active endurance athlete residing in Boulder, and can be found on the roads, trails, and pools in the local area.

https://www.mindsetelevated.com

Tim has been alarmingly enthusiastic about movies ever since childhood. He grew up in Boulder and, foolishly, left Colorado to study Communications in Washington State. Making matters worse, he moved to Connecticut after meeting his too-good-for-him wife. Drawn by the Rockies and a mild climate, he triumphantly returned and settled down back in Boulder County. He's written numerous screenplays, loves hiking, and embarrassed himself in front of Samuel L. Jackson. True story.

Originally from the most loved state on the East Coast, New Jersey, she fell in love with the Colorado culture the second she stepped foot here. Ever since, she has been lucky enough to attend school at the University of Colorado-Boulder, making this beautiful city her home. Currently pursuing a degree in journalism, she enjoys taking cool pictures and meeting interesting people. Passionate about helping others and giving back, she has been a part of the CU Rotaract club serving as the Special Events Coordinator for the past three years. This past semester she was given the opportunity to spend four exciting months in Barcelona, where she studied during the week and ran around the rest of Europe on the weekend. Now finally back in Boulder, she is excited to get back to the mountains and reporting about the fascinating people that live in the Boulder community.