Sunshine S. Benoit, better known as Sunni, was born and raised in the Denver area and is a graduate of the University of Denver. As an attorney, her practice focused on complex toxic tort litigation at the then eighth largest oil refinery in the world, located on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as employment law, contracts, civil rights, and green energy companies.

After the 2016 elections and an amazing trip to Indonesia, Sunni decided it was time to take a break from her legal work and moved back to Denver to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an advocate for the environment. Since that time, she has been involved with 350 Colorado and serves on the 350 Metro Denver Leadership Council. Sunni has organized and participated in many events for 350 Metro Denver, including several Lobby Days, petition deliveries, rallies, ballot initiatives, and marches.

Sunni’s love of the mountains, the beaches, and everything in between keeps her motivated to continue to fight for environmental justice and preservation of our beautiful planet.

Sunni has shown exceptional leadership taking a predominant role in planning and coordinating three Lobby Days, including logistics, facilitating part of the training meeting before lobbying, coordinating volunteers and leading during the event itself. She also assisted in facilitating our Climate Leadership Workshop in February. We are inspired by Sunni’s joy in sharing her leadership knowledge with new volunteers.

Sunni is also passionate and deeply involved in representing 350 Colorado at various Green New Deal meetings with allies, and facilitating Green New Deal efforts in Denver by organizing a petition to Diana DeGette and delivering the petition with her team.

Thank you Sunni for your commitment to climate action!