Boettcher Foundation

10/16/2026

Congratulations to Colorado State University on the grand opening of its Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex!

The Boettcher Foundation is proud to have supported this state-of-the-art facility, which will expand access to veterinary care and prepare the next generation of veterinary professionals to serve communities across Colorado.

Our support also helped establish a commemorative wall honoring CSU Chancellor and former Boettcher Foundation trustee Dr. Tony Frank. The wall also reflects his desire to recognize the veterinary pioneers whose work has advanced animal health, research, and education.

It was a pleasure to join CSU for the ribbon-cutting celebration, and we're excited to see the impact this space will have on Colorado for generations to come!

Learn more: https://loom.ly/Jyg7Tuk

10/15/2026

Last week, we gathered with leaders from across the San Luis Valley at the historic Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center for a State of Leadership convening, and the energy in the room was palpable!

Throughout the afternoon, participants reflected on what makes leadership in the San Luis Valley unique, from strong community relationships to a shared resourcefulness and commitment to place. Conversations also explored how to create more opportunities for the next generation of leaders, including ideas for mentorship programs and youth leadership initiatives.

One participant captured the region's spirit perfectly: "Creating something beautiful out of limited resources – it is something we do in the valley."

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the Fort Garland Museum for providing such a meaningful space to gather, connect, and envision the future of leadership in the San Luis Valley. We're also grateful to White River Strategy for their continued partnership in our State of Leadership initiative.

Learn more about the initiative and take our statewide leadership survey: https://loom.ly/7zojY5s

10/14/2026

Wisdom Wednesday is back!

College application season is here, and we're sharing some of our favorite tips from All the Wisdom and None of the Junk: Secrets of Applying for College Admission and Scholarships.

Written by Katy Craig and Boettcher Foundation President and CEO Katie Kramer, the book offers practical, straightforward advice to help students navigate the college application process, from essays and scholarships to finding the right college fit.

Explore the book: https://loom.ly/_igYXRc

And Colorado high school seniors, don't forget! The 2027 Boettcher Scholarship application is open. Learn more and apply: https://loom.ly/Qhhklts

10/13/2026

For 2022 Boettcher Fellow and self-described “job collector” Shelby Rockwell, Wray is more than home. It’s the place that continues to shape her entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of Colorado Leadership Stories, Shelby shares how she helped revive the Space, a nonprofit arts hub, and why investing in Wray’s future is so important to her.

Listen to Shelby’s story here: https://loom.ly/D6YIbe8

10/09/2026

For 2026 Boettcher Alumni Award recipients Kevin Loeffler, Norm Weaver, and Melanie Potyondy, leadership has taken different forms, from technology and clean energy to education and public service. Now, each is using their award to invest back into the Colorado communities that helped shape them.

Meet this year’s Alumni Award recipients: https://loom.ly/bWdhTW0

Leadership takes many forms, but for this year’s Boettcher Alumni Award recipients, it starts with using their skills and experiences to serve others. Kevin Loeffler, Melanie Potyondy, and Norm Weaver have each found distinct ways to strengthen the communities around them. Now, all three are using...

10/08/2026

What does it look like when a university sees a community need and asks, “What can we do about it?”

From childcare and housing to workforce development and college affordability, Western Colorado University President Brad Baca shares how the university’s 125-year history continues to shape its role in the Gunnison Valley and across Colorado.

Read his guest column here: https://loom.ly/6xR-bwA

For 125 years, Western Colorado University has built its work around the needs of the Gunnison Valley and the state it serves. Today, that commitment can be seen in partnerships addressing childcare and housing, programs responding to Colorado’s workforce needs, and efforts to make college more ac...

10/07/2026

A few months ago, leaders from across Southwest Colorado gathered in Durango to talk about what their communities need. Now, some of those conversations are turning into action.

See how new partnerships and State of Leadership Catalyst Grants are helping local leaders build programs around needs identified in their own communities: https://loom.ly/oTXbcjM

The Boettcher Foundation’s theme for 2026 is the Power of Place, an exploration on how the places in which we live and lead shape our character, perspectives, and leadership. Read on as Boettcher Fellows from very different parts of Colorado share how their communities helped them become who they ...

10/06/2026

Applications are open for the fall cycle of the Boettcher Foundation’s Rural Catalyst Grants!

These grants provide $1,000 to $10,000 to help rural organizations build capacity and advance work in their communities and regions.

Applications are due October 30. Learn more about eligibility and apply: https://loom.ly/nmKjvN0

10/02/2026

Sometimes leadership starts with something simple: bringing the right people together.

Across Colorado, conveners are building the relationships and trust that help communities move forward. See how organizations across the state are creating connections that strengthen Colorado’s leadership ecosystem: https://loom.ly/XxhYIuI

The Boettcher Foundation’s theme for 2026 is the Power of Place, an exploration on how the places in which we live and lead shape our character, perspectives, and leadership. Read on as Boettcher Fellows from very different parts of Colorado share how their communities helped them become who they ...

09/30/2026

What can 500 miles across Colorado teach you about leadership?

2024 Boettcher Fellow Dr. Brian Hill spent more than 18 days fastpacking the Colorado Trail from outside Denver to Durango. He returned home with a deeper understanding of resilience, connection, and the power the places around us have to shape how we lead.

Read Brian’s reflections on 500 miles across Colorado: https://loom.ly/JIZfS_Q

The Boettcher Foundation’s theme for 2026 is the Power of Place, an exploration on how the places in which we live and lead shape our character, perspectives, and leadership. Read on as Boettcher Fellows from very different parts of Colorado share how their communities helped them become who they ...