Our Vision
All children in Larimer County are valued, healthy and thriving.
Our Mission
We bring the community together to share knowledge and resources, build expertise and work collaboratively to ensure that all young children in Larimer County have the care, support and opportunities necessary to grow, learn and succeed.
Our Values
Collaboration
Recognition
Accountability
Excellence
Joy
About Northern Colorado Kids Thrive
Northern Colorado Kids Thrive (formerly the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that rallies support, resources, and awareness to ensure every young child in our community has quality early childhood experiences so they thrive from day one.
We work tirelessly and strategically together with everyone important in a young child’s life, from parents to teachers, and from physicians to psychologists, to prioritize nurturing early childhood relationships and environments.
We provide comprehensive supports for caregivers, including expert coaching and consultation; recruit and train early childhood professionals; spearhead community collaboration; advocate for solutions-based policies and funding; and design and pilot innovative programs.
Whether in Estes Park or Wellington, Red Feather Lakes or Berthoud, every young child benefits from committed caregivers and engaged professionals in their lives. When this happens, children grow up healthier, happier, and ready for success in school and in life.
We only get one childhood. When every young child is cared for in an environment that invigorates their learning and supports their wellbeing, they are set up for a lifetime of health and happiness, which strengthens our entire community.
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The early childhood sector is in crisis: families can’t afford to pay and educators can’t afford to stay, making childcare a classic market failure. Northern Colorado Kids Thrive is the largest and most comprehensive organization in our region working to combat the childcare crisis on multiple fronts.
2025-2030 Strategic Framework
Northern Colorado Kids Thrive Staff
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Amara Blaha
She/Her
Early Childhood
Workforce Associate
Christina Gomez, LMFT, IMH-E
She/Her
Early Childhood
Mental Health Consultant
Logan Mansanarez, MPH
She/Her
Universal Preschool
Manager
Hattie Peterson, MA
She/Her
Early Childhood Coach
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Shannon Silvas
She/Her
Office and Finance Manager
Hannah Wurster, PhD, LMFT
She/Her
Early Childhood
Mental Health Consultant
Heather Blanco, MA
She/Her
Chief Program Officer
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Melia Goto
She/Her
Universal Preschool
Associate
Franny MeLampy, MA, ECMH-E
She/Her
Early Childhood
Mental Health Consultant
Lauren Powers
She/Her
Chief Financial and
Operating Officer
Lindsey Shaub, OTD, OTR/L
She/Her
Occupational Therapist
Ashley Young
She/Her
Early Childhood Coach
Tessa Currie, MPH
She/Her
Communications Manager
Sierra Hansen, M.Ed IECMH-E
She/Her
Specialist Consultation Manager
Liz Means, MNM
She/Her
Chief Strategy Officer
Karly Kampe Quiroz
She/Her
Early Childhood
Workforce Manager
Heather Soderberg, IECMH-E
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Early Childhood Coaching Manager
Keiko Friar
They/Them
Community Impact Manager
Maribel Leon
_
Early Childhood
Program Associate
Taylor Osmundson
She/Her
Early Childhood Coach
Zoe Rochman, M.Ed.
She/Her
Early Childhood
Mental Health Consultant
Christina Taylor, MPH
She/Her
Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors
Nicole Aguilar
She/Her
Supervisory Environmental
Health Specialist, LCDHE
Vanessa Fewell
She/Her
Division Manager,
LCDHS
Steve Kuehneman,
President
He/Him
Executive Director,
Care Housing
Amy Smith Edwards
She/Her
Outpatient Program Supervisor, SummitStone Health Partners
Lisa Auer,
Vice President
She/Her
Community Engagement Specialist, CSU Extension
April Gerakos-Rooker
She/Her
Director, Investment Operations,
Timucuan Asset Mgmt, Inc.
Anne Lance
Treasurer
She/Her
Executive Director,
Teaching Tree ELC
Mary Beth Swanson
She/Her
Director & Therapist
The Willow Collective
Becca Benedict,
Secretary
She/Her
Director of Early Childhood, Poudre School District
Melanie Gilbertson
She/Her
ECE Faculty
Front Range Community College
Yvonne Meyers
She/Her
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Lamb Caro
He/Him
Director of Early Childhood,
Thompson School District
Allison Hughes
She/Her
Assist. Dir Alumni Engagement
CSU Alumni Association
Valeria Silva-Woodruff
She/Her
TBRI Lead
CASA of Larimer County