Elevate Conservation: outdoors for All 2025

Please join us for the Elevate Conservation: Outdoors for All event during the Outside Festival in Denver on Thursday, May 29 from 4-6:30PM at Paseo at Market Station Market Station Denver. Let us know if you'd like to attend this year's private event (you need a ticket to attend!) to join Colorado and national conservation organizations and businesses to come together to host a memorable event. Let’s take action on a host of issues from climate, to public lands, to water issues, to making sure the outdoor community and industry is inclusive, equitable, and diverse.

Let Anna Peterson know, by May 23, if you are interested in attending.
WHY: Since 2018, Elevate Conservation: Outdoors for All, has brought together over 50 Colorado and national conservation organizations, outdoor industry companies, and diverse community leaders as hosts to honor the intersection of outdoor recreation and conservation, celebrate the ways we already work together, challenge ourselves to do more, and acknowledge how equitable policies are critical to our long term success. Hundreds of people each year have come together to foster and maintain the integral roles that conservation, climate change mitigation, sound public lands policies, and equity play in supporting a successful outdoor industry.

WHO: Conservation, outdoor recreation, climate, outdoor education and access, and outdoor retail industry groups and advocates. 

HONOREES

Colorado Congressional delegation

Members of the Colorado Congressional delegation who co-sponsored the EXPLORE Act and previous bills that ended up in one of the most consequential pieces of legislation to better our outdoor recreation experiences and economy - Representative Joe Neguse to accept the award. 
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Representative Joe Neguse

Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.  
Over 40 years ago, Rep. Neguse’s parents immigrated to the United States from Eritrea. As hardworking immigrants and naturalized citizens, they never forgot nor took for granted the freedom and opportunities the United States gave them and their children. Their experience motivated Rep. Neguse to be an active participant in our democracy at an early age, and to give back through public service. Rep. Neguse's public service is rooted in his firm belief that we should be expanding—not restricting—opportunities for all Americans, and he has spent his career doing the same. His priorities in Congress include lowering health care costs and prescription drug prices, raising workers’ wages, ensuring greater accountability in government, protecting our environment and treasured public lands, putting an end to gun violence, and more.
 
Rep. Neguse and his wife Andrea live in Lafayette, Colorado, where they are raising their two young children, Natalie and Josh.  ​

Colorado State Leadership

Colorado State Legislative Leadership on a resolution opposing public lands selloff (SJR25-009) and increasing outdoor equity and recreation funding (HB25-1215)

Representative Junie JoSeph  ​

​HB25-1215 - Lottery waterfall redistribution - increase funding for outdoor equity grant program, funding for COREC office, funding for strategic recreation cash fund
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​Elected in November of 2022, Representative Joseph serves as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives for the 10th district (Boulder, CO). Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, she immigrated to the United States when she was 14. Since then, she has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in applied human rights from the University of York. While attending CU Boulder's School of Law, she ran for Boulder City Council as a first-time candidate and won. After spending four years on the city council, earning her Juris Doctorate from CU Boulder's School of Law, and starting her own family law firm, she ran her campaign for Colorado's House District 10 and won. She is now a sophmore legislator, passing bills for tenant rights, child welfare rights, and environmental conservation.​

EmceE

ERNEST HOUSE
​As former Executive Director for the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) for over 11 years, Ernest maintained the communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, and other American Indian organizations, state agencies and affiliated groups. In that position, Ernest worked closely with Governor Hickenlooper, Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne, and the CCIA members to maintain a government-to-government relationship between the State of Colorado and tribal governments. The CCIA is a twenty-six member commission, chaired by the Lt. Governor Lynne and comprised of both Ute Tribes, their appointees and several state and federal department representatives and ex-officio members. 
Ernest represented the State of Colorado and the CCIA at various federal and state public policy meetings and provided legislative and government-related information to community stakeholders. Currently, as Senior Policy Director for the Keystone Policy Center, Ernest is working with various stakeholders in the areas of tribal consultation, energy, healthcare, and education.
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Ernest is an enrolled member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in Towaoc, Colorado. He previously held the position of Executive Director under Governor Bill Owens and Governor Bill Ritter from 2005-2010. Ernest is a 2012 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, 2013 Denver Business Journal Forty under 40 awardee, 2015 President’s Award recipient from History Colorado, and 2018 Gates Family Foundation Public Leadership Fellow. Ernest currently serves on the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees and advisor to the Mesa Verde Foundation and Global Livingston Institute. He holds a rich tradition in his position as son of the late Ernest House, Sr., a long time tribal leader for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and great-grandson of Chief Jack House, the last hereditary chief of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Musicians

ADRIAN GARCIA

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Adrian Garcia is a dedicated music and entertainment professional and the driving force behind “FamBAM Productions” ( Family Building A Movement) where they are building community through music, art, and entrepreneurship by utilizing each others networks to build each other up. 

Under his leadership, FamBAM Productions has carved out a significant presence in the music and entertainment industry, known for its innovative events and unwavering commitment to the community. FamBAM Productions excels in organizing a variety of events, from high-energy concerts to unique silent discos, creating inclusive experiences for diverse audiences. The company is particularly noted for its work with the Colorado Autism Society and other organizations, providing tailored entertainment for individuals with autism and special needs. These events, such as silent discos, offer a welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the joy of music. 

Adrian and FamBAM Productions are also celebrated for their community service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they played a crucial role in feeding 650,000 people, an effort that earned them the Everyday Hero Award from the city of Aurora. Their dedication to community welfare is further reflected in their charity events and workshops aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation. 

In addition to their community efforts, FamBAM Productions is committed to elevating local artists. By providing platforms for emerging talent to showcase their skills, the company fosters a vibrant local music scene and helps artists gain the recognition they deserve. Through a blend of entertainment excellence and heartfelt community service, Adrian Garcia and FamBAM Productions continue to make a lasting impact in the music industry and beyond.

Denver Singers

The Denver Singers are a Native American drum and dancing group started in the 1970s that is composed of many different tribes and is now in their 2nd and 3rd generations of singers.

Presenters

Maria Handley

Maria is the Executive Director of The Wilderness Society's Action Fund. She has a long history of working on campaigns, elections, and non-profits. She served as Governor Howard Dean's, Western Political Director and Deputy Director of Constituency Outreach on his presidential bid. Later that year, she served as Field Director to former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on his successful US Senate bid. In 2005, Governor Dean appointed Maria to serve on the Democratic National Committee, where she served on the Executive Committee and Hispanic Caucus. 
Maria serves as a board member for the League of Conservation Voters and Conservation Colorado. In her off time, you can find Maria quilting and traveling across Colorado looking for that perfect fabric. ​

Abby Levene

Abby Levene is an ultrarunner originally from Dumbin, New Hampshire and currently a Senior Editor for Outside and Protect Our Winters alliance member. In 2017, she won the Dirty 30 50K in Colorado’s Golden Gate Canyon State Park, despite falling and breaking her wrist. Abby Levene is a pro trail runner for Adidas and a Skratch Labs Athlete. When not running, you can find her working for Campfire Labs. 
​She has also worked for Verde Brand Communications and Active Interest Media as a content writer. Abby attended Princeton University where she ran cross country and track and field. She received her Master’s from the University of Colorado Boulder in Journalism. Abby has won four national championships in triathlon.

Scott Jurek

Scott Jurek is an American ultramarathoner, author, public speaker, and Protect Our Winters alliance member. Over the course of his career, Jurek became one of the most dominant figures in ultramarathon running. 
His major victories include the Hardrock Hundred in 2007, the Badwater Ultramarathon in 2005 and 2006, the Spartathlon in 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, which he won seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005. In 2010, at the 24-Hour World Championships in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France, Jurek earned a silver medal and set a new U.S. record by running 165.7 miles in 24 hours—maintaining an average pace of 8 minutes and 42 seconds per mile. In 2015, he set the Fastest Known Time for running the entire 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail.

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