Small nonprofits make a big difference across Colorado
November is the month of giving thanks. And what better way to express gratitude than to shine a light on some local nonprofits that are making a difference in our rural Colorado Country Life communities? These are the smaller nonprofits, the unsung local heroes, that often get overlooked but have a tremendous impact on the lives of those living in our electric co-op service areas. So we reached out to you, our loyal readers, as well as our hardworking co-op teams and asked for your favorite small-town nonprofits to feature. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful submissions. We wish we could have included them all.
From planting tree seedlings in a northern watershed, to helping victims of domestic violence across 18 southern Colorado counties, it’s heartwarming to see the variety of nonprofits making lives better across our state. Although their missions may be different, they all have one thing in common: Each reflects the selfless care and unwavering commitment that keeps rural Colorado strong.
FOUR CORNERS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
Nominated by the Empire Electric Association team
Based in Cortez, Four Corners Child Advocacy Center strengthens its community’s response to child abuse, sexual assault, and neglect through prevention, intervention, education, and advocacy. Founded by a local physician in 1992, FCCAC offers a safe environment to conduct essential forensic interviews and medical exams, prioritizing the needs of the child. This tireless nonprofit also provides ongoing court support, case management, and trauma-focused therapy for kids and their non-offending caregivers.
“This is a phenomenal organization, and we’ve seen it do some wonderful work over the years. The staff and the board of directors are very passionate about this program and work endlessly to do what needs to be done for the children in our community.”
— Shawna McLaughlin, Empire Electric Association
HOSPICE OF MONTEZUMA
Nominated by the Empire Electric Association team
Since 1985, Hospice of Montezuma has been providing end-of-life care, caregiver support, and bereavement services to individuals and families in southwestern Colorado. Their team of dedicated professionals and volunteers provides a compassion-based approach that ensures choice, dignity, and comfort for terminally ill patients and the people who love them.
“Hospice of Montezuma truly went above and beyond to ensure [my mother’s] comfort and dignity. Their staff is compassionate, skilled, and incredibly supportive. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
— Joe Donnelly
GUNNISON VALLEY MENTORS
Nominated by the Gunnison County Electric Association team
For more than 30 years, Gunnison Valley Mentors has provided the young people of Gunnison County with something every child deserves: a trusted adult who offers guidance, encouragement, and genuine support. Recent program evaluations show that 79% of mentees increased their school engagement, and 78% developed healthier attitudes against substance use. Through one-on-one mentoring, local youth gain the tools, confidence, and resilience they need to succeed both in school and in life.
“Beyond statistics, the program creates meaningful human connections that inspire hope, belonging, and opportunity. By investing in our local youth, Gunnison Valley Mentors is strengthening the entire community and shaping the next generation of compassionate, capable leaders.”
— Logan L., Gunnison County Electric Association
LA VETA VILLAGE
Nominated by Sylvia Schwarz, San Isabel Electric Assoc. member
Since opening its doors in 2022, the mission of La Veta Village has been “to help aging adults who can no longer live independently remain as healthy and active as possible in familiar, supportive surroundings.” As the only assisted-living facility in Huerfano County, La Veta Village provides much-needed affordable housing for the region’s growing elder population. The nonprofit also helps its residents and the greater community thrive by offering food support and wellness programming, which has included memory loss workshops, fall prevention education, and social enrichment activities to those in need.
“La Veta Village … [is] a wonderful home-like assisted-living facility. The community has embraced La Veta Village, and it is truly a family-style home for the residents fortunate enough to reside there.”
— Sylvia Schwarz, auxiliary board member of La Veta Village
ANNA’S MISSION
Nominated by Karlee C., Mountain View Electric Assoc. member
Partnering with Violence Free Colorado, Anna’s Mission Inc. supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by offering confidential advocacy services, emotional support, safety planning, housing resources, and connections to legal aid. Serving 18 counties in southern Colorado, Anna’s Mission is dedicated to helping underserved rural communities where people who have been abused often struggle with isolation, transportation challenges, and limited access to assistance. From Del Norte east to the Kansas state line and from just south of Pueblo to New Mexico, this nonprofit is helping survivors and their children move from crisis to safety and from survival to healing and long-term stability.
“Anna’s Mission has used their resources to help me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I am forever grateful for all they have done for my family.”
— survivor Marisol Mendosa
NATURE & WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTER
Nominated by Caren Ermel, San Isabel Electric Assoc. member
Founded in 2018, the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center in Pueblo County promotes “environmental stewardship and community health through nature education, wildlife rehabilitation, and outdoor recreation.” The NWDC River Campus in Pueblo is home to southern Colorado’s only raptor rehabilitation center, and its Mountain Campus in Beulah has served as an outdoor classroom for thousands of delighted children. After the Aspen Acres Fire destroyed its Mountain Campus this summer, the nonprofit vowed to rebuild and recover, demonstrating a deep dedication to its community.
“Every acre of NWDC was a beacon of hope and safe haven for people of all ages to be a part of the natural world. For the family reunion to the lone hiker, these are the precious domains where people come to make their own connections to earth, sky, water, and wind …. Thank you to everyone who has, is, and will commit a portion of their life to ensuring natural spaces endure.”
— Lisa Wachtel, former chair of the NWDC board of directors
KOSCOVE AGRICULTURAL LEARNING CENTER
Nominated by Chris Gomez, San Isabel Electric Assoc. member
Located on a 2,500-acre working cattle ranch outside of Gardner, the Koscove Agricultural Learning Center offers educational opportunities to improve agricultural literacy, traditional skill development, and long-term rural community resilience. Through a combination of in-person experiences, online courses, and video-based lessons, learning takes place across rangeland, greenhouse, homestead, and equestrian settings, with a focus on real-world applications.
“The Koscove Agricultural Learning Center is a place for folks to learn the ag skills they need for homesteading, farming, and ranching. From the open range to the teaching kitchen, we want the whole ranch to be a blessing for our rural community and beyond.”
— Chris Gomez, homestead manager at KALC
COALITION FOR THE POUDRE RIVER WATERSHED
Nominated by Dave Cawrse, Poudre Valley REA member
The mission of CPRW is “to improve and maintain the ecological health of the Poudre River Watershed through community collaboration.” Established after the devastating Hewlett Gulch and High Park fires in 2012, CPRW now partners with private landowners, government agencies, water utilities, and nonprofits to address some of the most challenging issues facing the health of the watershed. Together, they prioritize and complete mitigation and restoration projects that protect drinking and irrigation water for communities downstream.
“CPRW was the first to offer help after my family’s historic home and land burned in the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. Since then, CPRW has connected us to multiple resources and agencies, and facilitated tree planting, flood mitigation, and stream restoration work on or near our land. We can’t thank them enough!”
— Maya Daurio, landowner, Poudre Canyon
BUENA VISTA HERITAGE
Nominated by Chris M. of Sangre de Cristo Electric Association
In 1974, local citizens formed Buena Vista Heritage to save the historic Chaffee County courthouse from demolition. Today, the courthouse proudly serves as the Buena Vista Heritage Museum. The nonprofit went on to preserve the Turner Farm and Apple Orchard as well as the town’s historic train depot and caboose, now the Depot & Transportation Museum. These aren’t simply landmarks that Buena Vista Heritage saved and now maintains — they are beloved community gathering spaces where people learn, celebrate, and feel connected to the generations who came before them.
“We are preserving more than historic places; we are preserving the stories, memories, and sense of belonging that make Buena Vista home. The fact that thousands of people continue to visit and gather at these places each year tells us that our history is not something we left behind — it is still very much a part of who we are today.”
— Suzy Kelly, founding member of Buena Vista Heritage
COOL SCIENCE
Nominated by Donna Rook, Mountain View Electric Assoc. member
For 23 years, Cool Science has been making science fun and engaging for kids of all ages. Based in Colorado Springs, the program’s volunteer scientists and engineers bring a variety of hands-on science activities to schools, libraries, and other public venues across eastern Colorado, reaching more than 40,000 students each year. Approximately one-third of all Cool Science programs are delivered to rural communities and low-income schools at no charge.
“The way [Cool Science] bring[s] the community together is so appreciated! It is so much fun to see the ways science comes alive with the way we all learn best — through experiential learning while having fun!! THANK YOU!”
— Cool Science parent
LIVING JOURNEYS
Nominated by the Gunnison County Electric Association team
Since 2003, Living Journeys has provided financial grants, food assistance, emotional support, and enrichment programs to Gunnison County residents affected by cancer. The vision of the nonprofit is “a compassionate community where every person with cancer is empowered and supported through every step of their journey.”
“I went through treatment for breast cancer from 2009-2010. Living Journeys fed us, cleaned and winterized our home, arranged community members to drive me to radiation, and so much more. Because of this we were able to power through this difficult time. In counting my blessings, I always count Living Journeys. I am so glad [they] are able to provide these services to anyone in our valley who faces such daunting health challenges, so that no one has to face their treatment and recovery feeling isolated and alone.”
— Janet Welsh Crossley, Living Journeys client
Becky Jensen writes from a little cabin on a wild river in northern Colorado and is the author of the award-winning memoir No Man’s Land: Unpacking One Woman’s Worth on the Colorado Trail. She’s also a proud member of Poudre Valley REA. You can find her at beckyjensenwrites.com.
Gear photo by NanoStockk / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
