A Conversation
Governing works best when we speak honestly and focus on real substance. Open conversations build trust, respect our community’s intelligence, and keep the focus on solving problems together.
A History of
Public Service
Because I believe everyone should play a role in their own governing, I have already spent years advocate for policies that drive impactful change and progress for La Plata County. I have worked on behalf of our community a the regional, state, national and even at the international level. I engage with local stakeholders and government bodies to ensure that the community's voice is heard and represented.
​
I am more than just talk: Upon graduating with bachelor's degree in Political Science, I immediately relocated from Washington State, to Washington, DC to work for the US Senate with a legislative portfolio that focused on Education, Civil Rights, Budget and Taxes.
​
I then got a Masters from Colorado State University (CSU) focusing on community planning and design.
​
Since moving to La Plata, I have testified on behalf of rural business development tax credits to both the State Senate Finance Committee, and the Colorado House Finance Committee. Assisting small business development in throughout La Plata County. And representing SW Colorado's interest in our state's OEDIT grant jury committee which has assisted in directing over $7million in State funding to SW Colorado small businesses.
​
Understanding our
Community
In a statutory county like La Plata, County Commissioners don’t have unlimited authority—our powers are clearly defined by Colorado state law. Within those bounds, though, there is real opportunity to make thoughtful, meaningful progress. I want to build on the solid work of past Commissioners while bringing a fresh, practical perspective to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
​
I’m not just someone with ideas—I’ve lived the process. I’ve started and grown a business right here in La Plata County, which has given me a firsthand understanding of what works well in our economic development system and where it can be frustrating or inefficient. I’ve learned best practices from communities across the country, and I’m eager to bring new, creative solutions home—while always respecting the history and character that make this place special.
​
This is also where my family has chosen to put down roots. I’m raising children in our school system, and I understand the real-life challenges families face every day—affordability, childcare, and getting from one place to another in a rural region like ours.
​
My husband has spent his career working for the BLM and the Forest Service, and his deep commitment to caring for our public lands has shaped how I see our region and its relationship with federal policy. In May of 2025, he stepped into leading the day-to-day operations of EsoTerra, allowing us to continue contributing locally while staying closely connected to the land and resources that define Southwest Colorado.
​
My Commitment
to the Environment
I’ve been involved in local, sustainable agriculture since 2017, when my husband and I moved to Durango to start EsoTerra. Like many small businesses, we ran into challenges getting started in the county, so EsoTerra initially launched in Dolores. Even then, La Plata County remained home—we chose to live here so our kids could grow up with great schools, open space, and the quality of life that makes this community special.
​
From the very beginning, my work has been grounded in caring for the land and strengthening our community. I believe environmental stewardship and economic resilience go hand in hand, and I support projects that help La Plata County thrive today and for generations to come.
​
I also believe in doing the work, not just talking about it. Through EsoTerra, we’re preserving more than 250 of Southwest Colorado’s historic and endangered apple varieties. With support from the Colorado Wine Development Board, CSU, and New Mexico State University Extension, we’re researching over 50 grape cultivars to introduce new, high-value agricultural crops that make sense for our climate and prioritize water conservation. At the heart of it all is a commitment to regenerative agriculture—building healthy soils, using water wisely, and leaving the land better than we found it.
Our Home
I’ve been fortunate to live in many places around the world, but La Plata County is where I chose to put down roots. This is home, and it’s where I want to raise my family.
​
La Plata is special because it brings so many things together—extraordinary natural beauty, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, deep agricultural roots, opportunities for higher education, and a wide range of ways people choose to live and work. That mix is rare, and it’s worth protecting.
​​