Tag Archives: Council News

Council News, Volunteer News

Volunteer recognition award: Nominations are now being accepted

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Know a volunteer who makes Girl Scouts a GREAT experience for girls? Nominate her or him for a volunteer recognition award!

It’s a powerful validation of a volunteer’s achievements to be honored with an award. Every year, we ask volunteers to tell us about the outstanding contributions their peers have made by nominating them for an award and asking others to endorse the nomination.

Please check out the Volunteer Recognition Award Guide for more information about the nomination and endorsement process. Criteria for each award is also listed. The guide is available on the volunteer appreciation page on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website.

Along with five GSUSA awards, and our own GSCO President’s award, we have a new award this year, the Rising Star Pin, to recognize new volunteers in their first or second year, who are already shining stars in their troops and in communities!

The deadline for nominations and endorsements is March 31, 2019. To access the nomination/endorsement form, go to the Volunteer Appreciation page of the GSCO website.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Shannon Weaver, Adult Experience Manager, at Shannon.Weaver@gscolorado.org or (303) 607 – 4897.

Camp, Cookies, Cookies Volunteers, Council News, Volunteer News

Volunteer View: January 2019

Get out and camp this summer

Summer camp session registration for overnight camp, day camp, troop camp, and family camp opens at 9 a.m. January 17.

Check the camp website www.camp.girlscoutsofcolorado.org for session descriptions, a day in the life at camp, beautiful photos of last year’s sessions, and a fun quiz to help girls’ identify their camping style!

Mark your calendar for Jan. 24 cookie booth sign up

The first round of council cookie booth selection begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 24; round two opens at 6 p.m. Jan. 25. Troops will be able to select one booth at one location during each of these rounds.

Visit our events calendar to find a cookie rally near you.

Important dates to know:

  • Jan. 24: First round of booth selection
  • Jan. 25: Second round of booth selection
  • Feb. 3: Cookie program and My Sales booths begin
  • Feb. 15: Council booths begin.

Check out the rest of our cookie program info and resources.

Cookie Program resources

Got a phone? Get trained!

Our online training classes are now accessible through your smartphone! Take online classes such as Nuts and Bolts (for new leaders), Experienced Troop Cookie Manager training, and cookie program enrichment classes, right in the palm of your hand! You can view the classes, take quizzes and download class resources and completion certificates, all on your phone!

If you need assistance accessing our eLearning site, please contact Shannon Weaver, adult experience manager, at 303-607-4897 or email her at Shannon.Weaver@gscolorado.org.

GSCO eLearning site

Celebrate World Thinking Day

Take the lead on February 22 to celebrate 2019 World Thinking Day with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 150 countries! (That’s one big celebration!) Girls also celebrate World Thinking Day throughout the spring. The theme for World Thinking Day in 2019 is leadership! Check out our activity guides online to explore many different ways girls can be leaders and create the change they want to see in the world—and celebrate being part of the global sisterhood that is Girl Scouts and Girl Guides!

Is your troop or service unit planning a World Thinking Day celebration? Tell Us about it and get help from the Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Committee!

Volunteer Recognition Awards: Recognize an Outstanding Volunteer!

The form to nominate a volunteer for an award will go live on January 31. The deadline to submit a nomination or endorsement is March 31.

Now would be a great time to designate a service unit team member to coordinate nominations and endorsements! Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award.would be a great time to designate a service unit team member to coordinate nominations and endorsements! Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award.

More information about the awards, and the number of required endorsements for each award, is listed on the volunteer appreciation page on our website and in the Volunteer Recognition Award Guide.  You can also learn more about how to write strong nominations and endorsements. 

Questions? Please contact Shannon Weaver, adult experience manager.  email: Shannon.Weaver@gscolorado.org  call: 303-607-4897

Outdoor Program Events

Come join us at our upcoming Outdoor Program events! You can find all of our year-round events at http://gscoblog.org/2018/10/2018-2019-outdoor-program-events/

  • Tomahawk Ranch Open House, February 24, Free. Take a staff-led or self-guided tour of Tomahawk Ranch at our Open House. Get those burning questions answered and help little ones feel comfortable to attend camp this summer. Visit the different sleeping and program areas to get an idea of what the summer ahead looks like. Staff from Mountain Berry Culinary will also be available to answer any meal-related questions. Open to all ages.
  • Sky High Ranch Open House, March 9, Check out Sky High Ranch at one of our Open House events this spring! Tour the property with one of our knowledgeable staff, learn about our summer program, and what kinds of activities we have, and let us answer any questions you may have about summer camp. Our open house is a great way to help your camper prepare for camp, and you too! Let’s bring on summer!

Outdoor Adventure Club

Sign up for our single event interest list, see upcoming dates and get more information here: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/adventure

  • Outdoor Adventure Club Trailblazers Snow Mountain Ranch, March 16-17. Our entire group will go dog sledding and cross-country skiing on wintry trails. In the evening we will have a group pool party and roller skating night. Everyone loved this event last year so much we are doing it again! Girls in 7th to 12th grade. Cost: $115/girl, Free for Trailblazers Passport holders.
  • Outdoor Adventure Club Explorers Keystone Science School Snow Spectacular, March 30-31, We have partnered with Keystone Science School for a weekend of play in the snowy mountains! You’ll cross-country ski, snowshoe, use an astronomy telescope and compete in a winter Olympics challenge. Program Level: Cadette (6th grade). Cost: $110/girl, Free for Explorers Passport holders

Highest Awards

Save the Date: Highest Awards Celebrations

Troops working on their Bronze or Silver awards have until March 1 to submit the Bronze and Silver Notification Form to be invited to the 2019 Highest Awards Celebrations. Find a celebration in your area: http://gscoblog.org/2019/01/save-the-date-2019-highest-awards-celebrations/

Questions? Kaitie LoDolce, highest awards manager at  highestawards@gscolorado.org.

GSUSA Gold and Silver Award change

Effective October 1, 2018 Gold and Silver award projects can be for the benefit of the Girl Scouts community. Please send any questions directly to Kaitie LoDolce at highestawards@gscolorado.org.
Any troop considering a Silver Award project that would solely benefit the GS community must run their project idea by the Highest Awards Manager Kaitie LoDolce.

Gold Award Trainings: 

Training is required for girls pursuing their Gold Award:

  • Saturday, January 26 at 9 a.m., Denver office
  • Saturday, March 30 at  9 a.m., Colorado Springs office

Older Girls

OGAB (Older Girl Advisory Board)

The Older Girl Advisory Board will oversee the G.I.V.E. (Girls Investing in a Voice for Everyone) program. These girls are excited to apply their knowledge, experience, and dedication to serving girls across the state in developing opportunities to help their fellow Girl Scout sisters do more. With the addition of this program, girls interested in joining the OGAB can apply now through February 15 at https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/our-program/older-girls/older-girl-advisory-board.html

G.I.R.L Fest 

Girl Scouts of Black Diamond is excited to share information about 2019 G.I.R.L. Fest (formerly known as the Girl Scout Jamboree)! Celebrating all things G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader) from June 26-30, this event will create a powerful impact with the Girl Scout brand and will make this beloved event even more thrilling for Girl Scouts across the country. G.I.R.L. Fest is now featured on the GSUSA Getaways site for all girls in grades 4-12 (current Membership Year) in the Girl Scout Movement to consider. We’re so excited to host an opportunity for girls to experience high-adventure in the heart of beautiful southern West Virginia! Early Bird pricing ends January 19, so check it out today.

SheTech Explorer Day

GSCO can send fifteen 9th and 10th grade girl to the SheTech Explorer Day on February 8 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. at the University of Denver – SIE Complex.

What is it? SheTech Explorer Day is a hands-on tech conference for high school girls. This day-long event will include hands-on workshops in science, technology, engineering, and math. Our ultimate goal is to expose girls to technology in a fun atmosphere as well as meet STEM role models to learn more about opportunities in those fields. Girls who attend will have access to internships, receive a SheTech certificate, receive pathway information and become part of a community to help girls have opportunities in STEM. http://shetechexplorer.com/explorer-days/​​​​​​​ 

Cost? FREE! Breakfast, snacks and lunch provided.
Participants must arrange own transportation. Adults can attend for free as well as a chaperone.

How do I attend? Email Emily Speck at emily.speck@gscolorado.org with the subject line: SheTech. Provide girl’s full name, school and grade. This will be a first come, first serve opportunity. Deadline is January 31.

Upcoming Events

Check the events calendar for exciting events in your community. Girl Scouts of Colorado is always planning fun and educational events for girls across the state. Some of these events are highlighted below!

Secrets to Success

January 26, Grand Junction

Girls will have the unique opportunity to ask that question and many more of top local women leaders at the 2019 Secrets to Success event. Registration is now open. 

Badge Workshop at Fort Morgan Museum

January 26, Fort Morgan

Join the staff at Fort Morgan Museum for a morning full of badge activities! The museum specializes in telling the stories of Fort Morgan and Morgan County through permanent and temporary exhibits, educational programs, and photos, documents, and artifacts from yesterday and today.

Girl Scout Day with the Colorado Avalanche

​February 16, Denver

Ticket sales now open! Join us for Girl Scout Day with the Colorado Avalanche and cheer on the Avalanche as they take on the St. Louis Blues! The troop with the most ticket referrals will get to have a cookie booth at the game! Last year’s troop sold more than 500 packages at their booth.

Girl Scout Pajama Jam with the Colorado Nuggets

March 2, Denver

All Girl Scouts are invited to cheer on the Nuggets as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.  And, Girl Scouts can sleep at the Pepsi Center after the game! The game starts at 7 p.m.

Harlem Globetrotters at the Broadmoor World Arena

March 2, Colorado Springs

Discounted tickets for Girl Scouts.

Disney on Ice – Worlds of Enchantment at the Broadmoor World Arena

March 23, Colorado Springs

Discounted tickets for Girl Scouts at the 3 p.m. performance.

Outdoor Skills Days 

April and May

Hosted by Troop 70007, Outdoor Skills Days are planned in April and May for Girl Scouts in first grade and older. Learn about knife craft, compasses, fire building, campsite set-up, leave no trace, planning a camp out and much more! $17/girl, includes hot lunch and outdoor skills patch. To see dates and registration information:https://sites.google.com/site/gsoutdoorskillsdayscolorado/

Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Troop 66802 celebrates one year of Daisy’s Circle membership

Congratulations to Girl Scout Troop 66802 for celebrating one year as a Daisy’s Circle member! As the VERY FIRST Girl Scout troop Daisy’s Circle member, they are truly leaders and they are making a difference.

Joining Daisy’s Circle was the big first step to learning about philanthropy. They have continued down this path and are about to complete their “Philanthropy” badge. They have been learning about the many ways you can help people. They gathered coats, donated food, and of course, they helped other girls become Girl Scouts through Daisy’s Circle!

When asked if it makes them feel good to help others, the answer was a unanimous YES! They truly understand what it means to be a sister to every Girl Scout!

Still not a member of Daisy’s Circle? What are you waiting for? Join online at www.gscodaisyscircle.org. Questions? Contact donor relations manager Carol Griffin at carol.griffin@gscolorado.org or (303) 607 – 4879.

Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Participants needed for revised Power Up pilot

Girl Scouts of Colorado has revised our Power Up program and is looking for girls, troops, and leaders to pilot the material. Power Up is Girl Scouts of Colorado’s anti-bullying program for girls in grades second through twelfth. It engages participants to think critically about different types of bullying and encourages them to stand up and speak out against bullying behaviors. Girls can think of this program as an extension to the “aMaze” Journey and “Be a Friend First (BFF).”

Requirements for pilot participants:

  • Attend a virtual training
  • Facilitate the program in the 2018- 2019 membership year
  • Experience in facilitating programming to girls or community
  • Complete feedback surveys on their successfully facilitated programs
  • Reliable communication with Girl Scouts of Colorado staff

Interested in participating? Fill out the Power Up pilot application: https://girlscoutsusa.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eLLTbmUftxVBu4Z

Questions? Contact GirlExperience@gscolorado.org

Alumnae News, Council News, Events

Girl Scouts honors 2018 Western Slope Women of Distinction

 WHAT: Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Women of Distinction Breakfast honors three local female community leaders. Honorees are selected by a committee of their peers and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. They are shining examples of corporate, civic and philanthropic leadership and serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow. Since 2013, including this year’s honorees, Girl Scouts of Colorado has recognized 18 women on the Western Slope as Women of Distinction.

Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to honor the 2018 inductees into the esteemed Women of Distinction program on the Western Slope.

  • Sister Barbara Aldrich SCL, VP of Mission Integration, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center
  • Jeni Brown, Chief Financial Officer, J.G. Management Systems, Inc.
  • LeAnn Zetmeir, Philanthropist and Community Leader

This year’s event is presented by Event Chair Stacey Mascarenas, Woman of Distinction 2017, Class Liaison Susan Alvillar, Woman of Distinction 2015, and Selection Chair Sue Conry, Woman of Distinction 2017.

Girl Scouts of Colorado will honor these inductees at the 2018 Women of Distinction Breakfast. Attendees will learn about the impact that Girl Scouting is making on the girls of the Western Slope and within its communities. Featured Speakers include Gold Award Girl Scout Molly McPherson and Silver Award Girl Scout Anela Cronk.

WHEN: Thursday, November 8, 2018 – 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tickets for the event are $25.

WHERE: Two Rivers Convention Center, Grand Junction

ATTENDANCE: 300 Guests

For more information, including how you can help, contact Cindi Graves at 970-628-8003 or cindi.graves@gscolorado.org. Visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/wodgj to purchase tickets and sponsorships. For media, RSVP by November 1 to cindi.graves@gscolorado.org or 970-628-8003.

Thank you to our Gold Presenting Sponsor: USBank and Silver Presenting Sponsors: Chevron, FCI Constructors, St. Mary’s Hospital & Medical Center, Inc. And Media Presenter: Townsquare Media

Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Take Action/Highest Awards

Gold and Silver Award changes from GSUSA

Effective October 1, 2018, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has decided girls may do Silver and Gold Award projects for the benefit of the Girl Scout community.

In order to make sure that this change doesn’t dilute the prestige, leadership efforts, or impact of each girl’s project, Silver and Gold Awards must still meet the requirements that are key to taking sustainable action, the project must:

  • Make a lasting difference in the local community, region, or beyond
  • Put the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action
  • Include provisions to ensure sustainability
  • Identify national and/global links to the selected issue
  • Inspire others

For Girl Scouts of Colorado, our focus will continue to be on the interests of girls when choosing a highest awards project. This means if a girl identifies a need within the GSCO community and feels passionately about it, she will be allowed to pursue that project by working directly with GSCO’s highest awards manger.

In addition to this policy, the GSCO Outdoor Program team will still not allow projects to be done on camp properties.

If you or your troop is interested in a Highest Awards project that you believe will now be allowed under this new policy, please reach out to highest awards manager Kaitie LoDolce at  highestawards@gscolorado.org prior to starting your project.

 

Council News

GSCO Retail Shop: Updates for fall 2018

What an exciting year ahead of us! New badges, members, promotions, and swag! The retail team has been busy re-merchandising the store, bringing in new Girl Scouts of Colorado merchandise, making room for new badges and requirements from GSUSA, and getting fully stocked on all GSLE/uniforms and insignia for all our customers. (We are excited about the 2018-2019 year bringing in so many opportunities for our Girl Scouts, we might have gone a little over board with the swag.)     

Just a couple of quick updates:

  • With the summer ending, and schools are back in session, it is time for the Girl Scout Shop to increase hours to help our volunteers/parents and girls get their gear they will need for a successful year. Beginning September 4, 2018, the store will be open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.;  Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.;  and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Our website on GirlScoutShop.com will be updated that day with this change along with our voicemail and email.
  • Shipping charges will increase by $1 on September 4 as well. Our flat rate of $6.50 has not increased in four years while priority postage has increased substantially, as well as shipping supplies. Please note that shipping large orders containing books are priced based on weight and measure, not a flat shipping rate. Customers are advised of this, at the time of booking.
  • September and October are some of our busiest months of the year. Email (retail@gscolorado.org) is always best for volunteers and parents to get an order in if they don’t order online with girlscoutshop.com.
  • If placing an order with us, please allow 72 hours for processing, whether it is pulling for a pick up or shipping.

We hope everyone has a great 2018-2019 Girl Scout year!

-The Retail Team- Jackie, Andria and Carlin

Email: retail@gscolorado.org

Phone: (303) 607-4880

1485 South Colorado Blvd

Suite 260

Denver, CO 80222

 

 

Cookies, Cookies Volunteers, Council News, Volunteer News

Meet the GSCO Product Program Team

Jamie Haxton – Chief Product Program Officer

20160512_145805

Jamie oversees the entire Product Program Team statewide and sits on several national advisory boards. She is considered a thought leader, peer-to-peer mentor, visionary, and strategic planner across the Girl Scout movement.  Among her many duties here in Colorado, she secures, manages, and works with vendors for both the Fall Product Program and Girl Scout Cookie Program, supporting girls in reaching their goals and giving back to their communities. She has more than 20 years of experience with Girls Scouts, including eight years with Girl Scouts of Colorado. Jamie also served twelve years as Chief Financial Officer for Girl Scouts Sooner Council.

Beth Homeijer – Product Program Analyst

Beth Homeijer photo

Beth oversees the vendor software, uploads, event coordination, sales analysis, DOC, and many other internal logistical items.

Stephanie Sanders – Product Program Administrative Assistant

Stephanie is the admin for the entire team, overseeing Formstack databases, communication overflows, mailings, meeting coordination, and many other items that keep the department running smoothly.

Laura Aguon– Product Program Manager

GSCO photo

Laura oversees the Product Program Specialists.  Laura is the primary staff support and resource for product program issues and management.

Rychelle Arnold – Product Program Design Manager

WelcomePhoto

Rychelle oversees the training content, manuals, guides, training designs, printed materials, assists with overall product program designs.

Product Program Specialists are the main Product Program Support for regional staff teams as well as responsible for managing the volunteer needs.  They are responsible for the key volunteer recruitment and design for their regions.  Each is tasked with the success of the campaigns, material distribution, rewards distribution, trainings, communications, and many other items within each region.

Mary Ann Deard- Regions 1, 2, & 5

GetPersonaPhoto

Melissa Hall– Regions 3 & 4

Sharon Ewing- Region 6

Julie Gallagher- Region 7

 

** Note: This in no way is the extent of all of their responsibilities. Rather, a snippet to help you direct your questions appropriately. 

Council News

GSCO Retail Shop update: April 2018

The GSCO Retail Shop will have new merchandise in stock for all our Girl Scout Ambassadors out there who are ready to graduate! They can walk down that graduation aisle beaming with Girl Scout pride for all of their accomplishments.  You can order these items online or come in to the retail shop and purchase.

Also, summer is around the corner and camps will be in full swing. Don’t forget that there will be no trading posts at Tomahawk Ranch this year, but we do have a pre-order form for Tomahawk swag and camp kits. Sky High Ranch will have their trading post up and running, but there is also a pre-order form.

https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/2018_skyhigh_camp_preorder_form

https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/2018_tomahawk_camp_preorder_form

Staff at the retail shop will contact you and get a form of payment and your shipping request.

Please remember cookie cards are only available to use through Girl Scouts of Colorado and not available to use online at girlscoutshop.com.  However, if you would like to purchase online, you can do so using your own credit card and submit a form for reimbursement.

http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/for-volunteers/forms-and-resources/credit-reimbursement0.html

The last Saturday of the spring season will be May 19, 2018. After that, summer hours start on May 22. We have an amazing retail team, and we are here to make our volunteers/members happy, confident and to represent Girl Scouts to their full potential.

Council News, Volunteer News

Gold Award mentors statewide awarded President’s Award

Adult recognition awards are designed to recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond the expectations of the volunteer role they hold, and who have deeply impacted Girl Scouts in ways that support and further GSCO’s goals and mission. The prestigious President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable, impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.

As girls earn the highest distinction in Girl Scouts, we expect their mentors to help them meet our high standards and expectations of team building, measurability, sustainability, global/national connection, and uniqueness – the foundations of the Gold Award. Gold Award mentors/committee members across the state went above and beyond to support the development and implementation of the Girl Scout Gold Award program in the 2015-16 membership year and continue to do so today. The position asks that each member attend a Gold Award training and stay up to date on changes, review all project proposals, final reports, and presentation, work individually with mentees, observe girls in action, attend 75% of monthly meetings, and participate in celebrations. All members have met each expectation and exceeded expectations.

Several members reviewed the Gold Award training design, made improvements, and are now active Gold Award trainers who facilitate in-person trainings across the state. In the 2015-16 membership year, more than 200 girls and 115 adults received Gold Award training across the state.

Gold Award brainstorming sessions were offered in Denver, Longmont, and Grand Junction with mentors attending all and helping girls one-on-one explore ideas and establish next steps.

Six regional Highest Awards celebrations were held across the state and each one of them was volunteer supported. These events would not have been successful without the participation/support from all the Gold Award mentors/committee members.

Sarah Greichen, 2016 Gold Award Girl Scout and National Young Woman of Distinction wrote in her endorsement for this award, “Girl Scouts in pursuit of their Gold Awards are greatly impacted by their Gold Award mentors. Gold Award mentors teach girls vital skills such as organization, public speaking, leadership, business skills, etc. They serve as role models who provide guidance, advice, and critique. All Girl Scouts are positively impacted by their mentors.”

Jan Lucas, Gold Award Girl Scout and member of the GSCO Board of Directors, wrote in her endorsement of the award, “The Girl Scouts pursing their Gold Award are motivated, challenged, and supported through their mentor. This is an invaluable and life long relationship that is developed to even help them through other challenging times in their life. This committee is more than just a committee to help with this one project – the mission of this committee has given way to a bigger vision and that is a relationship for a lifetime.”

Highlights from 2015-16 include:

– Total Highest Awardees statewide = 1,618
– 48 Gold Award recipients (mentored by 17 different mentors)
– 393 Silver Award recipients (increase of 10.1% from 2015)
– 1,177 Bronze Award recipients (increase of 14.7% from 2015)
– Approximate total of girls who RSVP’d for celebrations = 692
– Approximate total girls at celebrations = 637
– Mentor/volunteer lead trainings and brainstorming sessions
– Mentor assistance with conflict resolution
– Mentor support for staff decisions and implementation
– Second annual Gold Award mentor retreat with representation from each region

27 Gold Award mentors were officially given their award spring 2017 and many were presented with their certificate at the 2017 Gold Award Mentor Retreat in November at Hamp Hut. The mentors who received this exciting award are:

Alison Clark-Hardesty
Alyssa Street
Amy Bissell
Bonnie Ledet
Cara Heist
Carey Hofner
Cindy Miller
Connie Campbell
Debbie Haskins
Diana Smith
Eva Bauer
Heidi Ragsdale
Jennifer Colosimo
Karen Wilson
Kathi Reddan
Katie Hess
Kay Shaw
Leslee Randolph
Linda Robinson
Lorrie Marzulla
Maggie Murray
Nancy Mucklow
Rachael TerLouw
Sandy Jackson
Shauna Clemmer
Sheryl Blish
Stephani Vick

Since spring 2017, nine new Gold Award mentors have joined and we continue to onboard new members each month.

Congratulations GSCO Gold Award mentors! We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the Gold Award program in Colorado!