Our Team
350 Colorado Staff
Micah Parkin, Executive Director and Co-Founder
Micah has 30+ years of experience as a climate and clean energy advocate, community organizer and nonprofit director. She moved from New Orleans to Colorado after Hurricane Katrina. Micah began organizing what became 350 Colorado in 2009 and co-founded the group officially as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2013. She serves on the national 350 Network Council and was also a founding board member of 350 Colorado Action, Community Fruit Rescue, as well as Colorado Rising and Safe & Healthy Colorado, which organized ballot initiative efforts to protect communities from fracking in 2018 to the present. She is a spokesperson for Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, with 55 member groups in CO. Micah was recognized as a 2017 “City of Boulder Hometown Hero” and received a 2014 “FearLess Women Leading GREEN” award and Sierra Club’s 2007 Delta Chapter Black Bear Award. Love for her daughters and a deep sense of responsibility to protect future generations and life on our beautiful planet fuel her passion to build a powerful climate and clean energy movement, create resilient communities and transition to a sustainable future. Micah(at)350colorado.org
Chelsea Alexander, Movement Building & Volunteer Director
Chelsea began working in the volunteer management field 10 years ago at an animal shelter in Bloomington, IN as an intern. Her work in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion led to her nomination for a ‘Be More’ Award from the city of Bloomington in 2014. After moving to Chicago she pursued a career in volunteer management and built volunteer programs at non-profits, created partnerships, streamlined operations, and planned organizational-wide events. Chelsea enjoys playing guitar, singing, traveling, spending as much time outside as possible, putting hot sauce on most things she eats, and spending time with her partner, family, and friends. Hablo Español. Chelsea(at)350colorado.org
Sandra Duggan, Beyond Oil & Gas Campaign Coordinator
Sandra is a lifelong activist and educator. She was born in Peru and immigrated to Washington State as a child. She is a change-maker driven by her passion for social, and environmental justice. Sandra earned a degree in Strategic Communications from Seattle University in 2012 and considers herself a perpetual student.
In 2020, Sandra and her husband moved to Erie to start a family. Soon after, a fracking mega pad began construction just outside their new neighborhood. Sandra joined forces with her community in opposing the operation and advocating for continuous air quality monitoring. Now, she uses her experience as a directly impacted resident to fight alongside other Coloradans opposing fracking in their neighborhoods.
In her free time, Sandra loves spending time with her husband and 3 year old daughter. Together, they enjoy playing outside and crafting. Now a Lakewood resident, Sandra takes every opportunity to experience everything that Denver has to offer. She especially loves indie movie theaters and new restaurants. Hablo Español!
Sandra(at)350colorado.org
Brigit Stattelman-Scanlan, Development Director
Heidi Leathwood, Climate Policy Analyst
Matt Gose, Promoting Climate Solutions Coordinator
Born and raised in Western Colorado, Matt has been lucky enough to grow up in an area where climate justice has always been a topic of conversation. He attended college at The University of Wyoming in Laramie, where he obtained a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Natural Resource Management. In the Spring of 2021 Matt helped organize and execute the first ever Laramie Community Climate Summit, which was the first event of its kind ever to be held, and spurred localized action by establishing a starting point. In December of 2022, Matt joined our team as our Roaring Fork Team Coordinator and helped block the proposed Uinta Basin Railway that threatened to triple the amount of heated waxy crude oil being transported along long sensitive stretches of the Colorado River. In 2024, he moved to Denver and shifted his focus to our Promoting Climate Solutions work. Matt has an intense passion for climate action and making an impact in his role! Matt(at)350colorado.org.
Kim Nelson, Administrative Director
Kim graduated with a degree in Political Science from Fordham University and started out her career as an activist many years ago, working on environmental campaigns in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Colorado. She took a detour and became a professional photographer, opening a studio in Fort Collins 20 years ago. She has now come full circle back to her roots and passion for environmental issues with 350 Colorado. Utilizing her admin skills from both non-profit administration and owning a small business, she is happy to share her experience working on the climate crisis. In her free time, Kim likes to hike, raft the rivers of Colorado, and spend time with her husband and two adult children. Kim(at)350colorado.org
Alli, Communications Coordinator
Alli brings a background in sustainability and nonprofit communications, with several years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations through storytelling, outreach, and engagement. Her work has included managing digital content, supporting events and campaigns, and helping organizations communicate their impact clearly and effectively. As Communications Coordinator, Alli is applies her skills to amplifying important issues and connecting people to meaningful work. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, staying active, and exploring Colorado with her rescue dog. Alli(at)350colorado.org.
Ciara Guerrero, 350 Colorado Springs Team Coordinator
After getting her foot in the door of big tech, Ciara didn’t like what she found behind the curtain. Algorithms pushing misinformation about the climate crisis and the lack of action from anyone with authority to do something about it was the wake-up call she needed to look toward the environmental justice movement. While working as a freelance sustainability writer, it became clear that there were more effective ways to act as an ally to the movement – which is how she discovered 350 Colorado. With nearly a decade of experience in communications, she now aims to amplify the voices of those doing intersectional environmental advocacy work. Ciara lives in Colorado Springs with her partner and three daughters, and in her free time, she’s reading, gardening, gaming, or writing.
Ciara(at)350colorado.org
Riss Banuelos, 350 Colorado Springs Youth Organizer
From Phoenix, which is covered in urban heat islands and situated in the third-fastest-warming state in the nation, Riss has found her vocation in climate work. She is currently finishing her bachelor’s in anthropology at Colorado College, which has equipped her with an interdisciplinary lens for thinking about climate and taking action. She has been part of Sunrise Movement where she leveraged her grant writing experience to help raise funds for a local non-profit, Hey Neighbor, helped campaign, and organized community dialogues around climate. She has been lucky enough to attend two United Nations’ climate COPs where her commitment to climate grew stronger and more inspired. In the space in between school and work you can find her wire wrapping, puzzling, hiking, dancing, and slowing down with friends. As a youth organizer for 350, she is excited to contribute to a vibrant movement to help keep fossil fuels in the ground!
350 Colorado Board of Directors
Gail Nordheim, Board of Directors, Chair, Denver, CO
Gail moved to Denver from Madison, Wisconsin in 2023. She is a dedicated climate activist with strong interest and background in nonprofit management. In addition to her work with 350 Colorado, she serves on the Steering Committees of Safe and Healthy Colorado and Third Act Colorado.
Before moving to Colorado, Gail served as Board President of 350 Wisconsin. For four years, until 350 WI hired its first executive director, she also served as Acting Executive Director.
Gail previously was a management consultant, working with a wide range of non-profit, governmental, and for-profit organizations. She has also held senior management positions in state and local government. Gail enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, hiking, reading, and Pilates.
Heron Lenz, Board of Directors, Secretary, Colorado Springs, CO
Heron grew up in Fort Collins, CO before moving to Evanston, IL to attend Northwestern University. After receiving a B.A. in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from Northwestern, he served on the board of the Evanston Environmental Association, raising money to fund urban environmental education programs as well as conservation projects in the city. Heron has recently returned to Colorado to study for a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. As a newer member of 350, he looks forward to continuing the work he loves in his home state. When he’s not rock climbing, hiking, or traveling, Heron works to generate ecological research that can inform future climate policy.
Paul Culnan, Board of Directors, Treasurer, Boulder, CO
Paul Culnan has been a “super-volunteer” with 350 colorado, supporting our organization in virtually every way a person can support us: from financial support to helping with policy analysis to participating in nonviolent direct actions at the Colorado state capitol. He is a prolific writer and has helped bring issues into public view. Beyond his sharp analytical intelligence and patient people skills, Paul doesn’t hesitate to say what needs to be said when testifying in decision-making venues. His willingness to speak truth to power in an intelligent yet unequivocally simple way has helped our elected officials and volunteers alike understand with clarity how we can solve this crisis. He passionately believes we must stop extracting, processing and burning fossil fuels and that political leaders are not doing the job we need them to do on the climate crisis. We, the people must encourage them, in every way possible, to lead the public to a clean prosperous future as quickly as possible. Paul is a retired computer program and enjoys hiking, biking and small boat sailing.
Patricia Garcia-Nelson, Board of Directors, Greeley, CO
Patricia Garcia-Nelson was born and raised in Northern Colorado. Her family has lived in Greeley since her parents immigrated from Mexico in the late 1970s. Her son Diego was a student at Bella Romero Academy, where the construction of a 24 oil well pad site has been approved, less than 700 feet from the playground. She was the sole parent plaintiff in a case against the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and Extraction Oil & Gas, for the approval of the permits. For years, she has worked with 350 Colorado, Colorado Rising, Safe and Healthy Colorado, Weld Air and Water and other organizations to raise awareness about Bella Romero and residential drilling.
Finn Jackson, Board of Directors, Boulder, CO
Finn was born and raised in Cody, Wyoming and is a graduate of the University of Wyoming. He served on the board of the Laramie Alliance of Renewable Energy from 2021 to 2023, helped organize the Park County Citizens for Sustainability in 2023, and has continued volunteering with the Sierra Club of Wyoming since 2022.
In September 2023, Finn moved to Boulder, Colorado to work at EcoCycle’s Hard-to-Recycle Facility. He has volunteered with 350 Colorado since early 2024, mostly with the Boulder County Team. Outside of 350, Finn also works with the Denver Hub of the Sunrise Movement. His volunteer activities with 350 have mostly included connecting with fellow community members and lobbying state legislators. A new board member, Finn looks forward to being involved with 350 Colorado on a deeper level, and hopes his expertise can help grow the organization.
Angie Berktold, Board of Directors, Englewood, CO
Angie grew up on a farm in Minnesota, and moved to Colorado after college. Always a fan of being outside, with animals, and preferably at a higher altitude; from climbing bins as a child to mountain views now. She was a part of 350CO previously as a volunteer in development, helping with logistics of grant work. She is a lifelong learner, continuing to grow in analytical and creative ways. With degrees in music therapy and business administration, Angie has experience building relationships and is passionate about working to build a better future. Angie is happiest outside, including with her pup and especially in the snow.
350 Colorado Interns
Gabrielle Cooper, Legal Intern
Gabrielle grew up in Washington state, where she studied Neuroscience and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Washington before moving to Boulder in 2024. She is currently in her second year of law school at the University of Colorado. She is passionate about environmental law and hopes to combine her background in science with her legal studies to advocate for improved environmental decision-making. She is excited to start acting on these goals as an intern with 350CO. In her free time, Gabrielle teaches rock climbing classes and loves hiking, scrambling, and climbing outside. On an indoor day, she enjoys trying to teach herself to knit and hanging out with her dog.
Ava Garrison, Legislative Action Intern
Ava is a senior at the Colorado School of Mines studying biochemistry, with academic interests at the intersection of environmental science, sustainability, and community health. Growing up in the Vail Valley instilled a love of nature from a young age. Today, Ava is passionate about translating scientific knowledge into meaningful action through policy and public engagement. On the side, she enjoys teaching yoga, making YouTube videos, going on nature walks, and finding ways to live more sustainably every day. After graduating this May, Ava is looking forward to pursuing a graduate degree in Environmental Social Science.
Luca Maes, Climate Policy Intern
Luca is a third-year student at Colorado College majoring in Political Science and minoring in Environmental Studies. Spending most of his childhood in the woods of rural New Hampshire, he moved to Northern California for his high school years and now lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills. In large part motivated by his love for the outdoors, he has long been passionate about climate, conservation, and environmental justice issues. His interest in politics, international relations, and environmental issues has drawn him to the environmental policy realm in recent years, and he hopes to work towards a Master’s in this field following his graduation from CC. He loves hiking, backpacking, camping, and traveling and took a gap year before college to work and then solo travel for 5 months in Southern Europe and the Balkans. He is very excited to join and learn from the 350 Colorado community this Spring!