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About us

The Next 100 Coalition of civil rights, environmental justice, conservation, community organizations, and leaders works for greater inclusion of diverse communities in our country’s national parks and other public lands. Inspired by the goals of the Next 100 Coalition, Next 100 Colorado is a BIPOC-led coalition of individuals, organizations, and vetted allies. We are the first chapter in the country to narrow the scope of a national initiative to state based policy and action. Next 100 Colorado is committed to a just and inclusive parks and public lands system.

We provide

A space where BIPOC leaders and allies who have demonstrated commitment to equity, justice, and inclusivity can find community and inspiration.


A vehicle through which members can collectively build an outdoor culture and industry that serves, celebrates, and centers the voices of those who have been intentionally excluded.


An opportunity for allies and accomplices to utilize their privilege, power, and access to amplify the work of members in an impactful, tangible, and supportive way.

Meet The Team

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Gemara Gifford (she/her)

Doctoral Student, Colorado State University, Next 100 Colorado Co-Chair

​

Tried out for American Idol in 2010

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gemara.gifford@colostate.edu

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Jerry Otero
(he/him)

Legislative and Policy Director, Grand Canyon Trust, Next 100 Colorado Co-Chair

​

Lifelong hunter, angler, sneaker collector, foodie, habitual line stepper.

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jotero@grandcanyontrust.org

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Mira Barney
(she/her)

Executive Assistant (Western Resource Advocates); Program Assistant (Indigenous Women's Leadership Network)

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Cat-loving goofy accordionist

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barney.mira@gmail.com

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Casey Bries
(they/them)

Environmental Justice & Partnerships Manager, Ecoinclusive Strategies, LLC

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casey@ecoinclusive.org

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Simone Christopherson (she/her)

Partners Program Assistant, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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I love trying out new coffee shops and my favorite season is summer

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Claire Cutler
(she/her)
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Brittni Ehrhart-Gemmill (she/her)

Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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Glamorous outdoor adventurer

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brittni.ehrhart@state.co.us

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Damián García
(he/him)

Volunteer Coordinator,

Environmental Learning for Kids

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Mammals love me, reptiles excite me, birds heal me, and fish fear me. 

​

damianalejandrogar@gmail.com

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Hannah George
(she/her)

Programs and Events Coordinator, Keep It Colorado

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Dried shiitake mushrooms are my fave life hack

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Kristina Gray (she/her)

Director of Marketing & Communications, Environmental Learning for Kids

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Unprofessional juggler

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Kgray@elkkids.org

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Andrea Kurth (she/her)

Outdoor Equity Advocate, Individual member

 

Acro Yoga pro

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Dominic Lucero
 

Executive Director, Colorado High Country Educational Treks AKA Colorado Treks

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Blindfolded tether ball master champion

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dominiclucero@coloradotreks.org​

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Modesta McGrath-Martínez (she/her)

Program Manager, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO)

​

​

biancammm93@gmail.com

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Patrick Ortiz
(he/him)

Operations Director, San Luis Valley Great Outdoors

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Global History and Culture nerd

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patrickortiz@slvgo.com

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Juan Pérez Sáez (he/him/his)

Co-founder and Strategist, Intersecting Solutions

 

Immigrant, nature lover, hiker, and amateur salsa dancer.

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juanprez82@gmail.com

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Alma Sanchez
(she/her/ella)

Ph.D. Student, University of Colorado Boulder

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Ecology buff, PhD student, Latino Outdoors leader, ice climbing noob.

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rosie@latinooutdoors.org​

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Jeremy Sifuentes
 

Workforce Development and ADA Accessibility Coordinator, Colorado Parks & Wildlife

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Youth Mentor, Nature Lover, Career Pathfinder and Reality TV Junkie

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jsifuentes371@gmail.com

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Jason Swann
(he/him)

Conservation Finance Program Director Intermountain West,

Trust for Public Land

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Opportunities for All, Sunrise Chaser, and Serial Networker

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j@risingroutes.com

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Jordan Williams (he/him)

Colorado Regional Representative, Continental Divide Trail Coalition

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Trail explorer and doggy dad

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jwilliams@continentaldividetrail.org

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Chris Talbot-Heindl (they/them)

Creator, Designer, Editor, and DEI Specialist. Next 100 Colorado Co-Chair

 

Writer and illustrator of trans-affirming educomics

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chris@talbot-heindl.com

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Noe
(he/him)

Sr. Manager, Renewable Energy, The Wilderness Society, Next 100 Colorado Co-Chair
 

Football fan, LA Rams; enjoys camping and hiking

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noe.orgaz@gmail.com

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Jacob Belgrad
(he/him)

Transportation Advocate, 

GreenLatinos 

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Cat lover and weather nerd

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Jacobbelgrad@greenlatinos.org

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Parker McMullen Bushman (they/she)

CEO / Founder, Ecoinclusive / Inclusive Guide

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Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategist  Trainer | Speaker | Consultant 

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parker@ecoinclusive.org

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Cindy Chang
(she/her)

Executive Director,

Groundwork Denver

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cindy@groundworkcolorado.org

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Severiano DeSoto
(he/him)

Energy Siting Policy Advisor,

Western Resource Advocates

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Outdoors loving dad

​

severiano.desoto@gmail.com

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Aliyah Emita Santistevan (she/her)

Assistant Division Engineer, CO Division of Water Resources

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Corgi Lover & 3-Day Eventer
 

aliyah.santistevan@state.co.us

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Patricia Garcia-Nelson
(She / Her /Ella)

Colorado Fossil Fuel Just Transition Advocate, GreenLatinos Colorado

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patricianelson@greenlatinos.org

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Breanna González
(she/her/ella)

Environmental Justice Supervisor, CDPHE 

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Pop & Sports Culture Encyclopedia 

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breealexisg@gmail.com

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Dillon Hanson-Ahumada (he/him)

Conservation Project Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy 

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People loving wildlife enthusiast 

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hansondillon1996@gmail.com

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Cally King
(she/her)

Senior Project Manager,

Keystone Policy Center

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cking@keystone.org

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Teresa Martinez
(she/her/ella)

Executive Director, Continental Divide Trail Coalition

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My hope is to share the stories that make people cry in a good way

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tmartinez@continentaldividetrail.org

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Rebeca Medrano
(they/she/he)

Protégete Strategic Partnerships Manager

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Bread-making enthusiast and mediocre dancer

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rebeca@conservationco.org

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Gabriel Otero
(he/him)

Director of Equitable Funding Policy, The Wilderness Society

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Music enthusiast, coaches youth sports, enjoys reading and writing poetry 

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gabriel_otero@tws.org

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Hec Salas
(he/him/el)

Communications Consultant / Freelance Writer​

 

Basketball nerd

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hecsalasgallegos@gmail.com

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Anna Sanchez (she/inaru/ella)

Talent Manager, The Nature Conservancy

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Nature nerd and dog parent.

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anna.sanchez@tnc.org

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Beatriz Soto
(she/her)

Protegete, Senior Director 

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Climate and Environmental Justice Advocate, Architect, Artist, nature lover, Bruja, snowboarder, trail runner, Human kin

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beatriz@conservationco.org

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Ean Thomas Tafoya (he/him/el)

State Director, GreenLatinos Colorado

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Radio DJ & Host, Human & Natural Rights, Born On Earth Day

 

eantafoya@greenlatinos.org

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Kara Matsumoto
(she/her)

Policy Director, Conservation Lands Foundation, Next 100 Colorado Co-Chair

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Aerial silks enthusiast

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kmatsumoto616@gmail.com

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Maritza Arizaga (she/her/ella)

Equity & Community Engagement Manager, Western Resource Advocates

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Nature lover and enthusiast - occasional llama-wrangler.

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maritza.arizaga@westernresources.org

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Shanyce Billings
(she/her)

Social media manager, Ecoinclusive 

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Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategist  Trainer | Speaker | Consultant 

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shanyce@ecoinclusive.org

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Jared Bynum
(he/him)

Individual member

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jaredbynum5@gmail.com

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Tracy Coppola (she/her)

Colorado Senior Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)

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Old tree and old dog fan

tcoppola@npca.org

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Crystal Egli
(she/her)

CEO, Inclusive Guide

 

Ultra-liberal queer big-game hunter with unexpected aquatic athleticism.

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crystal@inclusivejourneys.com

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Emma Galofré García (she/her/ella)

PhD Student at University of Colorado Boulder, Well-Being, Environment, Livelihoods, and Sustainability Group / Outings Leader at Latino Outdoors Colorado​

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Jessica Gelay
(she/her/ella)
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Jessica Godinez (she/her/ella)

Conservation Program Manager, Hispanic Access Foundation

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Movement loving suburban gardener doing life with a husband, two dogs and a whole flock of chickens

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jessicag@hispanicaccess.org

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Mallory Huggins
(she/her)

Senior Project Director,

Keystone Policy Center

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Urban-outdoorsy city kid; loves to gab

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mhuggins@keystone.org

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Shirena Trujillo Long
(she/her/ella)

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Conservation Legacy

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Avid outdoor fun maker, middle child, activista, from three of the Four Corners States.

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strujillolong@conservationlegacy.org

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Mary McKean
(she/her)

Planning Specialist, National Park Service

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Colorado bird nerd

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marymckean@risingroutes.com

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Alicia Mountain (she/her)

Urban Nature-based Solutions Manager, National Wildlife Federation

 

Avid napper, walker of parks, concert goer.

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mountaina@nwf.org

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Loretta Pineda
(she/her)

Individual member, Founding Member

 

Semi- Retired

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pinedaloretta@gmail.com

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Omar Sarabia 
(he/him/el)

Defiende Nuestra Tierra, Director

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Street Taco enthusiast, cloud collector, love to snowboard and a veteran basketball player.

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omar@wildernessworkshop.org

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Ian Sharkey
(he/him)

GIS Specialist, ERO Resources

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Dancer, Hiker, mapmaker

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sharkeyian5@gmail.com

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Jessie Sushinsky (she/her)

Conservation biologist, Vireo Conservation

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Into birds, maps, and data/knowledge. 

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jrsush@gmail.com

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Felipe Vieyra
(he/him)

Co-founder of Oso Adventure Meals

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Coaches soccer for 3-4-year-olds. 

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fvieyra.jr@gmail.com

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