The challenges of 2026 so far have been serious and difficult. But they also remind us of the importance and power of individual and collective action, all while in the face of uncertainty. We are grateful to celebrate the February Climate Hero of the Month, someone who stands up time and again – Sally Engen!
Growing up in a small town in northern Minnesota shaped Sally’s love for nature. “From the humid, buggy and rainy summers to the brutal but amazing winters, I really felt a strong connection to nature,” said Sally. “I felt wrapped in it. The smells, the sounds of trees and wildlife and the downright awesomeness of the weather really made me feel connected to the earth.” They spent a lot of time outside, camping, skiing, baseball, and the 10,000 lakes provided ample water activities.
Since retiring Sally found the time to invest more time to the environment. During her search to find a home for her skills, she had discovered there were over a hundred environmental groups in CO alone! It wasn’t long before Sally luckily found Save the Aurora Reservoir (STAR). “They really needed my help, and the timing was great with the fracking they are doing here in SE Aurora.”
That fracking she is referring to, was a massive and dangerous proposal to drill over 160 oil and gas fracked wells under the precious Aurora Reservoir, not far from Sally’s home. It has been years of organizing, urging elected officials, community meetings, fundraising, and challenges to push back against this proposal. Sally has been a regular part of many of these efforts, especially supporting outreach and tabling efforts in the community to spread the word and get more people to take action and join.
Thanks to the collective efforts of Sally and other dedicated STAR members, on December 10th, 2025 the Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) passed a 4-1 ‘stay’ vote on the plan. Meaning that operator Crestone (Civitas) will have to come back to the regulatory board and present viable alternative location options further away from nearby communities. So while it is not a final win, it is an important one nonetheless, and an example of how a like-minded group of people can come together and organize with the health of the people and our environment front and center. The work continues to stop oil & gas extraction in Colorado and beyond.
When Sally joined 350 Colorado in July 2024, she jumped right in and got involved in their newly launched volunteer opportunity, the ZIP Leader program (‘Zoning Interpersonal Power’), representing her zip code of 80016. Not only did she get started too, but she came with ideas and ways to boost the organizing efforts in her neighborhood! She started sending out a regular email newsletter to people she had recruited, sharing opportunities and updates on Colorado climate progress and beyond. Despite the challenges and opportunities for improvement with any new volunteer program, Sally led the way with dedication and a type of steadfastness that strengthens the movement.
She also quickly got involved in the statewide, grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations that want to see an end to the destructive industry of fracking. “I was so excited when 350 created Safe and Healthy Colorado!” said Sally. Safe and Healthy Colorado is organizing for solutions to stop the expansion of fracking, hold the industry accountable for their pollution, clean up the air and water, protect communities that have been harmed disproportionately by fracking, support industry workers and dependent communities in transition, and stop pouring climate-heating gases into our atmosphere.”For people thinking of volunteering, I want to let them know sometimes it is not so easy to get involved. Keep looking, show up and you will find a home.”
In March 2025, Sally participated in our annual Climate Lobby Day at the capitol in Denver. With the other members of her group, they strategized and worked together to reach their Senator and lobby for key bills.
“Sally’s passion, commitment, and determination have seriously boosted important grassroots efforts, both locally in her community of Aurora and broadly in Colorado!” – Chelsea Alexander, 350 Colorado Movement Building & Volunteer Director
To this day Sally is regularly signing petitions and advocacy letters to elected officials and corporate leaders, using her voice to influence and urge swift action.
“I do not feel like a hero,” says Sally. “Most of us are reacting to the things that are being done to us that we do not want to happen. That’s why I cannot understand why so many are not doing anything to stop the annihilation of our planet. I cannot imagine facing my grandchildren years from now and telling them I did nothing to save their planet, maybe even their lives.”
Thank you Sally for dedicating your time and energy to the climate movement, Colorado, and the world. Each and every one of us brings a unique skillset to the movement, and working with passionate people like you makes the journey all the better!
Written by Chelsea Alexander