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N onpro ts are much more than just charities. ey are catalysts for social change, innovators in problem-solving, and a voice for the voiceless. eir grassroots approach allows for a deeper connection and a more profound impact, building trust and fostering a sense of shared purpose.
OF
is work, however, doesn't happen in a vacuum. It is often bolstered and amplied by the quiet, yet powerful, force of mutual aid. Mutual aid is a concept as old as humanity itself: people coming together to support one another, not out of charity, but out of a shared understanding of collective responsibility. It's the neighbor who organizes a food drive for a family in need, the community group that pools resources to pay for a medical bill, or the network of volunteers who check on elderly res-
idents during a snowstorm. Mutual aid operates on a horizontal, non-hierarchical model, emphasizing reciprocity and solidarity. It's not about a "giver" and a "receiver," but about people recognizing that their own well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of their neighbors.
COMMUNITIES THE HEARTBEAT OUR
Welcome, readers, to this special issue dedicated to the vibrant and essential world of Colorado's nonprofi t sector.
In recent years, the lines between formal nonpro ts and informal mutual aid have become beautifully blurred. Many nonpro ts are now integrating mutual aid principles into their operations, empowering community members to lead initiatives and ensuring that the solutions come from within the community itself. is fusion creates a more robust and sustainable support system. When a nonpro t provides the infrastructure—a physical space, legal expertise, or funding—and mutual aid
-Addison
networks provide the human-centered, reciprocal care, the result is a powerful synergy that can tackle even the most daunting social issues.
As we navigate an increasingly complex world, the importance of these organizations and networks cannot be overstated. ey are a testament to our collective humanity and a reminder that our greatest strength lies in our ability to care for one another. ey embody the very best of the Colorado spirit: independent, compassionate, and always ready to lend a hand. Let us celebrate their work, support their missions, and, most importantly, recognize that each of us has a role to play in building a more just and caring community for all.
Herron-Wheeler
Original Photos from Anna Shvets,
Perhaps
A Discussion With Kim Salvaggio from The Center on Colfax
The Center
Can Hold
Since its opening in August of 1977, born out of the efforts of the Gay Coalition of Denver (GCD), The Center on Colfax has stood as the primary community center in Denver for the LGBTQ+ community. Queer Denver residents may know of The Center as the organization that organizes Denver Pridefest every year, but there’s so much more to it than that. Programs such as their youth-focused Rainbow Alley or their West of 50 program for queer senior citizens provide community for the LGBTQ+ residents in the area.
in Gaza, to the more hardline, such as their claims that enjoying drag shows in the shade at Pride is an unnecessary indulgence.
But, for all the good that e Center has achieved in its 48 years of existence, it has faced its fair share of criticisms over the years. Anyone who has attended Denver Pride, particularly this year, has seen the protests that have been staged by community activists who remain unsatis ed with e Center’s relationship with the queer community. eir list of grievances range from the sensible, such as The Center’s tendency to accept money from organizations that support the genocide
by Julie River
Back in May, Kim Salvaggio took over as the new CEO of e Center, having spent over two decades in media and nonpro t sectors—Her most recent position was serving as Chief Community Equity and Access Officer at Rocky Mountain Public Media. Salvaggio has shown a willingness to engage with those who feel that e Center isn’t meeting their needs or is actively harming the community. In July, our columnist Jesse Proia facilitated a conversation between Salvaggio and dissatisfied community organizers, interviewing Z Williams, who helped organize the protest against this year’s Pridefest, and Salvaggio to get her responses.
Salvaggio has now been in her position at The Center for about seven months, and she still seems intent on listening to everyone in the community, including those like Williams who have expressed grievances against the organization. “How are we designing what we do in
a way that has got the person's experience and feeling belonging centered? That is always my goal,” says Salvaggio about her mission in taking over as CEO of The Center. “In addition, how are we reaching out to folks who maybe didn't feel that before? How are we engaging folks who have felt real harm from The Center? “
As Salvaggio sees it, a big part of her job is to listen to the community, and that includes taking criticism to heart and seeing how The Center can do things better. “The biggest strategic goals that we have (are) listening to our community and understanding where we're doing well, where we can do better, what people want their experience with e Center to be,” she says. “And then how do we create something that matches that?”
One of the changes Salvaggio is working on is making sure that e Center can remain funded whilst addressing some of the concerns peo-
Photos Courtesy of e Center on Colfax
ple have about where their funding comes from. “How do we repair that nancially, understanding that there's probably di erent nancial models that will diversify our funding a bit and be more in line with where our community would like us to be?”
Salvaggio says that she’s working on a ve-year plan of growth to support the local queer population and its growing needs, but there are also a lot of immediate needs that The Center has to address as well. “It's rare that a week has gone by that I haven't come in to work at e Center and found someone on our doorstep that is just relocated from another state,” she says. “It's pretty common that on a weekly basis, I meet someone that's like, ‘I got o a bus, I looked for an LGBTQ Support Center, and now I'm here.’” Much of that comes from Colorado’s reputation as one of the safer places for queer and especially trans people, but that means that someone has to be there to catch people when they land here.
does, of course, have to plan the biggest LGBTQ+ event of the year every year, Denver PrideFest, and 2026 holds a new challenge, as the festival’s normal home, Civic Center Park, is being dug up.
“So it provides a really great opportunity for us to redesign what Denver Pride looks like,” explains Salvaggio.
“And so that's been a lot of work, intentionally doing the research to understand how this can work, to be benecial as a fundraiser for Denver, but more than anything else, representative of what people want to do and experience with Pride.”
In addition to trying to listen to community grievances and supporting the most vulnerable, e Center
While there’s still a lot of changes that need to happen at e Center, Salvaggio asks for those who are still dissatis ed to let her and the rest of the organization know so they can work towards improving themselves. “We want people to see themselves here,” Salvaggio says.
“And if, for some reason, they look and they're like, ‘I don't see the place that I fit yet,’ reach out and let us know what that could look like.”
ENVISION:YOU MERGES WITH
With 84% of LGBTQ+ individuals reporting that the current political environment has negatively impacted their mental health, 51% stating the impact has been "to a great extent” and 73% of responses indicating that LGBTQ+ affirming care is one of the most important factors when choosing a healthcare provider (via the 2025 YouFlourish LGBTQ+ Mental Health Needs Assessment Survey), the need for mental health services for the LGBTQ+ community has never been more vital.
through several key initiatives, including the Q is for Questioning program and the Behavioral Health Provider Training Program.
DENVER FAMILY INSTITUTE
TO STRENGTHEN LGBTQ+ MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND CARE
e integration of Envision:You into the Denver Family Institute plans to be a haven for those who need medical services. Envision:You’s mission focus is to support, educate, and empower members of Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community living with mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Founded by Steven Haden in 2018, the origin for creating the organization comes from addressing the inequities that have been in place for decades.
“I founded Envision:You in 2018, and it comes from a deeply personal place,” says Haden. “I have been in recovery for about 20 years. I experienced some really serious mental health issues a couple of decades ago. You know, as a queer person living in environments where so many people, LGBTQ+ individuals, experience mental health disparities, challenges in accessing a rming care, nding supportive environments, whether it's at home, school, or work, I felt a calling to start an organization that can help address the mental health and well-being for my community.”
Haden says, “We offer an evidence-based, six part behavioral health provider training program developed with a learning and development company and the community. Launched nearly five years ago, it has trained more than 2,500 healthcare professionals nationwide to deliver better, higher quality, a rming care to LGBTQ+ people. We also o er our Q is for Questioning program, which supports trusted adults in creating safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.”
He added that providing the right type of care and programming is crucial because inadequate treatment can have harmful consequences and even turn people from seeking medical help.
Haden explains, “Without targeted training to work with speci c populations, a provider may misgender someone, use the wrong pronouns or name, ask irrelevant questions, or, in some cases, blame people for their circumstances because of their identity.” He continues, “In my own experience, early in my struggle with a severe substance use disorder, a provider suggested that my lifestyle was contributing to my addiction. For many, that can be devastating, because my identity is not negotiable. It is not a lifestyle. is is who I am.”
Haden explains that Envision:You is committed to delivering community-based solutions that address mezzo and macro-level systemic challenges. e organization advances this mission
“So the language itself was really harmful and not surprising for many people; they hear that language, they nd themselves in a place that's not supportive, and we turn away. We turn away from these systems that are designed to help people heal and grow. And yet they're
By Justin Goodrum
often met with systems that are not welcoming. And so people don't get the help they need. So that's been a really important program for us.”
Within the past year, Haden saw an opportunity to scale programming to meet the continuing necessities of the community due to challenges in raising money by partnering with e Denver Family Institute (DFI). As stated on DFI’s site, its mission is to provide lowfee, strength-based counseling services to all individuals, couples, and families and provides an intensive Marriage and Family erapy Training and Supervision Program.
“And so when I had the opportunity to meet Emily Dorn, the Executive Director at Denver Family Institute, they're already doing some work in support of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Haden. “It's a strong value of theirs to work in partnership with community to support healing. And as I got to know Emily and the values that Denver Family Institute have, it just seemed like a great partnership. It seemed like a great opportunity to bring the best of what Envision:You has under the umbrella of Denver Family Institute.”
Emily Dorn illustrates that when she heard Envision:You and DFI could work together to help the entire LGBTQ+ community, including the youth, it was too good an opportunity to pass on.
“(Steven) had really aptly identified this landscape is very challenging for nonpro ts. is is not the time to go it alone, and really had seen the work and the alignment that DFI had been leading, speci cally pertaining to LGBTQ+ youth. And we really united on this vision, this shared vision that there's this massive gap in training when it
comes to how mental health providers are prepared to work with the queer community writ large, but speci cally with youth. So we were working with the same mission-vision to establish a bar when it comes to how providers are trained.”
She continues to share the vision of this partnership to become the blueprint of how providers can provide the correct and essential services to the public.
“And our vision is to really scale this, not just in Colorado, but to establish and then raise the bar for how providers are equipped to really work with this population, this community,” says Dorn. “So from the get go, that alignment was so inspiring and clear. And as we kept exploring that possibility of combining forces, it just became more and more clear that reunited vision and mission and what they've built and what DFI has built are so complementary to each other. So it really felt like such a wonderful match, a strategic match that would allow both missions and both organizations to really elevate their presence and have a greater impact.”
of continuity, and we will likely repost a few positions in the coming months,” says Dorn. “The contracted co-facilitators for EY's training programs have continued on under DFI. Nobody was let go during the transition—Many folks found new opportunities as the exploration was taking place. Steven has been incredibly collaborative and generous with his time to support this transition.”
The LGBTQ+ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) reported in 2023 that of the 550 introduced bills in state legislatures, more than half, 290, targeted LGBTQ+ youth. Haden believes even though many of the laws don’t pass, they still cause damage that is di cult to overcome and has a massive impact.
The partnership evolved into Envision:You being integrated into DFI with the o cial announcement being made in early August of this year. DFI has laid out a 12- to 18-month timeline and will continue to support existing Envision: You programs. Dorn says the existing employees will stay on to contribute to maintaining the programs from Envision: You.
“We are collaborating and contracting with some of the former EY (Envision:You) staff members for the sake
“While many of them have not passed, just the introduction and the media coverage around those creates a hostile environment, right? You have leaders who are supposed to be caring for their community, who are supposed to be representing all people in their community, targeting in really nasty and horrible ways certain segments of our community to take away rights, access to healthcare, all the things, right? And so it's important to understand what happens.”
Dorn says the demanding political climate, combined with the recent COVID pandemic, was one of the motivating factors for Haden to reach out to DFI.
by
“And one of the reasons that Steven has shared for reaching out to DFI and considering DFI as a place for this partnership and this expansion is the direct service component of our work,” So we're able to train our therapists in-house and then literally the next day, like, after their class, after their supervision, they're bringing this exceptional level of care directly to their clients.”
Even though Haden’s day-to-day time at Envision:You has ended, he’s excited about the combined strength of Envision: You and DFI to meet the needs and address the challenges for the increasingly tough times ahead.
“And I'm so glad to be turning over all of this incredible work over the last seven years to the team at Denver Family Institute. And I know from our conversations that, you know, in the near future in the coming months, they're gonna be really sitting down and thinking about, how do they grow this combined organization to be able to do more, positively impact more people's lives.”
DFI is also looking forward to the annual Queering Mental Health issue in May 2026 for which, as usual, they will partner with OFM to uplift and support our LGBTQ+ community.
Photo
Landiva Weber
by Addison Herron-Wheeler
Photo by Flor Blake
DR. TARA JAE
on YouthSeen, Black Pride, & Reimagining Philanthropy
In a world reeling from continued budget cuts, legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and persistent systemic racism, nding pockets of joy has become an act of profound resistance. is is the perspective of Dr. Tara Jae, the dynamic leader at the helm of YouthSeen and Black Pride in Denver and a beloved member of our community.
While acknowledging the immense di culty of navigating this landscape, Dr. Jae shares how their organizations are ghting for survival, advocating for
community-centered change, and building a new model for philanthropy.
BALANCING STRUGGLE WITH PERSONAL STRENGTH
Dr. Jae has a great response to the elephant in the room—the lack of funding and attack on basic human rights that so many in our country are facing.
“I am trying to really focus on the moments of joy and really making that a part of my resistance,” they explain.
“With everything that is going on with YouthSeen and Black Pride, it's hard, and it’s going to continue to be hard.
However, they find essential balance and fuel in her personal life. “It’s balanced, though, because my personal life is amazing, right?” ey say, referencing her recent engagement to influencer and OFM cover model for this issue ReShanda Lias. “Like, I get to wake up to the love of my life, and we are constantly just laughing and having a good time. As we keep going through these executive orders and all of these shifts, middle class and folks who are barely making
ends meet get hit the worst every time, so we have to keep going.”
THE BLATANT DISPARITY IN NONPROFIT FUNDING
Dr. Jae has been vocal online about the stark and blatant disparity of which organizations are currently keeping their funding and which are using it. They acknowledge that many of the organizations that stay funded do so because of private donors—but that is still part of the larger systemic issue.
"You can go to my Facebook, my LinkedIn. You know I am very vocal about the fact that it is very eye opening and very blatant on which organizations are moving through this and which organizations are losing funding,” they say.
ey point out that while some larger organizations can rely on established donor networks during a crisis, smaller organizations, particularly organizations of color, are consistently overlooked.
“ ere are organizations out there that take from organizations of color consistently, do not give credit, do not give, give back in any way,” they say. “And the way that I turned it around is, me and another organization, Soul 2 Soul Sisters, started a mutual aid fund, and we opened it up nationally.”
e response was immediate and overwhelming. ey had to close the application process almost instantly after receiving 92 applicants on a national level who collectively requested $9.2 million in assistance.
e applicants' stories revealed a grim and consistent pattern: community-based organizations are being abandoned by private and large foundations because their work is "focusing on communities of color, LGBTQ+, and that is not where we're aligning right now.
"These are the organizations that are very much community-based, neighborhood based, they're the ones giving out food, making sure that there's rent assistance, and making sure that people are staying o the streets, and making sure that they have roofs over their head, medical assistance, like all of the stu that, these larger organizations ... It's not
REIMAGINING PHILANTHROPY
a priority of theirs,” they continue. “Which is a problem, because, you know, these larger organizations, most of the conversations I'm hearing is, ‘We need access to funding to leave the country.’ e folks that we're working with would not even consider that, and they're like, ‘How do we, one, stand our ground, and two, make sure that we have basic needs?’”
One major frustration Dr. Jae shared is the slow, weeks-to-months-long funding process that, they argue, intentionally keeps smaller organizations "in crisis." They recall the immediate turnaround of funding in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis as de nitive proof that large foundations can move quickly when they choose to.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTHSEEN AND BLACK PRIDE:
“When everyone was having a hard time, you turned funding around within days, instead of this, like weeks to months bullshit that like is often happening, which is it keeps these, these smaller organizations in crisis, so that they can come in and save them.”
“You showed us that you could do it in 2020, and now's the time to pour into community because community needs it most, and we will always know what to do with that funding.”
e mutual aid fund has sparked a revolutionary long-term conversation: the possibility of starting their own foundation. This foundation would focus on their community and be built on the principle of redoing philanthropy, removing the unnecessary walls and gatekeeping. Dr. Jae asserts, "Community will always work quicker than the system set up to support us."
CALL TO ACTION: HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Dr. Jae emphasizes that the only way to navigate these challenges is to come together. They challenge readers to build coalitions with a discerning eye:
“Look around the room and see who's not there. That will speak volumes, because the only way we're going to get through this is if we all come together.”
Support General Operating: "Most of the stu that we are trying to bring in is around general operating so that we have the ability to move some stu around,” they say, mentioning that some of their services, like rent and bill assistance, are on hold until they can get more funding.
Connect and Engage: Find both organizations on social media. Message, email, or call them to o er support or tap into their community.
HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES:
Visit the Website: The best way to inquire about services is through the YouthSeen website, where the team responds quickly.
Use the Drop-In Space: e physical space is available for youth and adults looking for community.
Access the Food Pantry: The food pantry is available to anyone in need of assistance with groceries.
In the face of sustained attacks on their community, Dr. Jae and their team are refusing to be dragged into despair. Instead, they are doubling down on what matters most: community, mutual aid, and the revolutionary power of shared joy.
RaeShanda INFLU ENCER
SURVIVING HOMELESSNESS, ADVOCATING FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY,
By Addison Herron-Wheeler AND MOBILIZING
FA MOVEMENT
rom the depths of personal nancial crisis to becoming a celebrated internet personality and powerful advocate, RaeShanda Lias has built a platform on unwavering honesty, resilience, and a commitment to lifting up marginalized voices. Known for her outspoken nature and ability to mobilize action, Lias's journey is a testament to the power of starting over and never giving up. Recently, she has been working with many nonpro ts, including Denver’s own YouthSeen and Black Pride, to uplift Black and queer voices.
by Flor Blake
Lias
Photo
THE ROAD FROM CRISIS TO A HOME
Lias's path to advocacy began with a devastating personal setback. After graduating from Kentucky State University and serving as a veteran, she resigned from her job and cashed out her retirement and army benefits to return to her home state of Mississippi to start a nonpro t organization. e plan was shattered in a moment.
"Within four months, I had about $30,000 roughly stolen from me by a family member," Lias recounts. "I found out the day before Christmas. I was so angry; I drove in the middle of the night with just the money I had on me, me and my children, we drove from Mississippi back to Kentucky."
a follower of her Facebook page All is Fair in Love and Fashion.
"One of my followers suggested that I go into retail," she recalls. While working at Sephora, she launched a clothing business that became a lifeline. "I started a clothing business that took me from selling plasma to pay bills to a six- gure business, and that changed my entire life."
She arrived in Louisville, a city she barely knew a few hours from where she grew up, and found temporary shelter thanks to a friend. e shock of having to start over nancially while being a mother hit her hard.
"I remember the moment going into that hotel room and going into that bathroom and just crying," she said. "I had been through a lot in my life— teen pregnancy, domestic violence, divorce—but I never struggled nancially."
e experience taught her the importance of community and giving back, even when she had little herself. "I was actually donating plasma to give out coats to people that followed me. So I didn't even have and I was trying to give,” she says. “It's always been a part of me to do that."
THE POWER OF BEING SEEN: LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY
Her focus immediately pivoted to action. " e only thing I could think of was, I have to start over, right? I have to get a job. I have to support myself and my family." Starting with a temp service, Lias worked relentlessly. It took only a few months to make a remarkable leap.
"I think March was me moving into a home here in Louisville. So we went from a one-room motel to a ve-bedroom house that I had saved up for and worked for." She credits an older gentleman who took a chance on her for sheltering her and her children.
FROM PLASMA DONATIONS TO A SIX-FIGURE BUSINESS
Lias's drive didn't stop once she secured housing. Her journey in business was sparked by an unlikely suggestion from
ville around 2016. She felt a duty to be visible. "When you are a high femme, people tend to forget that you may not be straight when you walk into a place, versus my ancée or someone masculine-presenting," she explains.
"I always say I am a voice for the voiceless, or people that feel like they can't say anything. I don’t love a bully and a mean girl, and I think that we do better together to empower and uplift."
Her message for the community is simple: "I want people to know that they are seen, that my trans brothers and sisters are seen and loved and heard, that we all matter, and even though we are going to constantly be under attack, we're not going anywhere."
Lias's personal journey of identity is intrinsically linked to her public advocacy. "I've been a little lesbian since I was in second grade," she jokes. Her coming out was a gradual process— telling her mother at 18 and even her ex-husband before marriage—driven by a core belief: "You really can't stop being who you are for anyone and how uncomfortable that may be ... When you sti e who you are, everybody suffers."
Her public LGBTQ+ advocacy grew most active when she settled in Louis-
MOBILIZING FOR THE FUTURE
Today, Lias is channeling her in uence into major initiatives aimed at supporting and protecting the community. She recently partnered with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to promote their new nancial planning tool.
" ey have a new app called the Worth It app, and it is for financial planning and setting up your future," she explains. "And it is speci cally for the LGBTQIA community. And I think that is amazing because I always tease everybody ... Now we need to save, just like everybody else."
"I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE SEEN, THAT MY TRANS BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE SEEN AND LOVED AND HEARD, THAT WE ALL MATTER, AND EVEN THOUGH WE ARE GOING TO CONSTANTLY BE UNDER ATTACK, WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE."
"Our rights are under attack. So I want to stand there and be a voice; we can't allow it to happen."
Lias was recently named one of Ebony's Power 100, an honor she deeply cherishes as recognition for using her voice for the LGBTQ+ community, the Black community, and women in general.
BATTLING BURNOUT AND EMBRACING THE DIGITAL MOBILIZER ROLE
In a political climate that is increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, Lias stressed the importance of self-care for activists.
"Number one, I have no problem with lying down," she shared. "If I'm overwhelmed, I'm gonna go lay down ... You have to take a moment, and you have to recharge, because there is a community dependent on you."
She reminds people that activism isn't only for those with large followings. "Platforms don't really matter if you're not using them correctly. You have to understand that you can make a di erence at your dinner table. You can make a difference on your block, but what you can't do is stop."
Lias is a staunch supporter of community organizations, including YouthSeen and Black Pride Colorado, which provide safe spaces and resources for BIPOC queer youth. "It is nice to know that there is a place for that," she says.
She has used her platform to help these organizations raise mutual aid funds, clarifying her role as a connector. "I don't call myself a content creator. I'm a digital mobilizer. I move people, and that's what we need right now."
Looking to the future, Lias is considering a run for court o ce, working on her own show, and developing a Fireside Chat series with Black Pride Colorado called It’s Really Very Simple.
"We're going to get down to the nitty gritty of politics and how people who may not necessarily understand how the government works ... (can) discuss the state of the country, but also what we can do once the conversation is over, and how we can take action,” she states.
RaeShanda Lias concluded with a powerful a rmation of her mission: "I am always here for the underdog. I'm always here for not just the big things, but also the things that go under the radar that the news rate I cover or that we need to know."
Lias's tireless work highlights a core truth: Personal trauma can be transformed into public power, driving change and providing a voice for those who feel unseen.
ONE COLO R
By Addison Herron-Wheeler
One Colorado, the leading political advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ Coloradans and their families, is mobilizing with fierce determination and strong coalition in response to what Executive Director Nadine Bridges, MSW, describes as a tumultuous climate. Bridges provides a clear-eyed look at the current state of the organization, both the unique challenges it faces and the successes achieved through collective action.
The current year has been defined by extreme challenges, primarily stemming from what Bridges calls “the chaos that this administration has caused.” She explains that this chaos is manifested through direct attacks on the community's infrastructure and rights.
“ ey’re attacking our nancial infrastructures, which are deeply impacting the way hospital systems are providing gender-affirming care, especially for youth and young adults,” Bridges states. “We have many families seeking sanctuary and then nding out that the healthcare that they may be seeking is not guaranteed.”
Compounding the political stress is a significant financial strain on the
broader LGBTQ+ advocacy movement. Bridges reports, “I think the funding for LGBTQ+ organizations in general is down, if I remember correctly, like 35% of giving nationally is down, and so people are scared nancially, and that certainly impacts the work in general, how we do the work capacity and just the stress overall.”
e work is also deeply personal for the sta . “At One Colorado, the majority of our sta are trans, nonbinary and gender-expansive, and it's our lived experience for many of the sta , and it’s hard to carry that and do our best work. It’s very difficult to separate out the two, our personal identities from the work, and yet we try to compartmentalize as much as possible so that we can do the best work possible for the community.”
To counteract the despair, One Colorado focuses on action and self-care. “We’re really leading into this idea that action is the antidote to despair, like hope to action,” Bridges says. e organization is leaning into the courage found within its community and among allies. “What I know to be true is that there are a lot of courageous people in our community, courageous allies, providers, family members, and so we’re very much so leading into that; people want to be involved. ey do not want our freedoms to be taken away, and we’re seeing this on an intersectional level with immigrant rights and reproductive rights groups, and that keeps us going.”
just as big this year,” Bridges notes.
e organization is also preparing for legislative battles. “Folks are dialed in to paying attention to see where these extremists are leaning in for anti-trans initiatives and holding them accountable the best way we can.” ey are bolstered by state leaders, including the Attorney General, who has been active in pushing back against these antitrans e orts.
One Colorado has seen tangible successes born from this commitment.
“Our Lobby Day last year, we had over 400 people that attended our Lobby Day, representing every part of the state. I imagine that our lobby day is going to be
Central to the sustainability of the work is a focus on well-being. “We know that we have to take care of ourselves,” says Bridges, announcing that she herself is taking advantage of a much needed step back from the work. “I’ll be going on sabbatical at the end of next week (as of October 17) for three months to take care of myself, after five years of everything from the pandemic to Club Q to the rst administration, and now the administration again.”
“For any leader to step away is hard,” Bridges admits. “I believe in the leadership of my team, my entire team, and their passion for the work and the support of the board. And I know that if I don’t do this, I will not be any good for any service to our community.”
For those who wish to support One Colorado, the opportunities are abun-
R ADO
dant and varied, extending well beyond financial contributions. “There’s so many ways to take action for One Colorado,” Bridges says, listing options such as the Change Maker Cohort, the Health Equity Leadership Council, the GSA Leadership Council, joining the Freedom for All education e orts, becoming a lobby leader, or participating in Lobby Day.
“As much as, of course, we would love a donation, whether it’s $5, $20 or $10,000, the reality is that people-power is just as important, and we need both in our community. We need our unlikely allies to speak up.” The organization also hosts educational events, including know your rights and LGBTQ+ one-onone trainings to engage the community.
e long-term goals for One Colorado are focused on stability and growth, which Bridges summarizes as “educate, advocate, advance, and protect.” A core strategy is to use storytelling to connect with the wider public: “We want to make sure that we are really building on storytelling to, you know, change hearts and minds.We know that in Colorado and our communities, we love our freedom, and these attacks that are happening at all levels, it is an attack on our freedom, and that’s unacceptable, and we want to be able to make sure that people are vocal about their values and
they’re just leaning in. And we’re going to create the tools and the avenues for that to happen.”
Bridges shares a story about an “unlikely ally” to illustrate the heart of the ght. During a legislative session, a mother from the suburbs who did not have a personal connection to trans issues testified against an anti-trans bill. “She said something like, ‘I didn’t even know anything about trans issues. I don’t even think I know anybody who’s trans. And I come from the suburbs, and I listened to this training, and I thought, like, why wouldn’t I want to speak up about the rights of community? And why would anybody in Colorado, especially, elected o cials, support anything that will cause harm?’
“ is is about the respect and love of the human condition. It’s about understanding humanity, and whether you understand community or all of the issues, when it comes down to the core, no one should be discriminated against. There shouldn’t
be harm caused to the community, just because you don’t understand. We have a duty to ensure that no one has to go back into the closet, that we can all live our lives authentically, and that means everyone needs to be involved,” Bridges concludes. She affirms that One Colorado stands united with its partners. “We’re all in it together, and we’re going to continue to do what we need to do to protect the community.”
Photos Courtesy of One Colorado
Other Assets Sourced from Atlan- tic Ambience, Aufa Fahmi, Darya Sannikova, Engin Akyurt, Monstera Production
FRIENDS
QCOLORADO NONPROFITS
By Noah Hartman and Erin McCormac
ueer life in Colorado can be a mixed bag. Some days, it feels like we are thriving, building community, and creating art together. In recent days, it often feels scarier, especially with everything going on in this political climate.
It is more important now than ever to show support to local nonpro ts. ey aren’t just organizations; they are lifelines. Whether you need help getting a rming care, paying your rent, or even just nding a community, these groups are made of people who know what it means to be queer in Colorado, and they put in the work to make sure no one feels alone in it. Here are some organizations in Colorado that deserve love, attention, and support, especially now.
THE ALEXANDER FOUNDATION
If you have ever been stressed about money (and let’s be real, who hasn’t?), you know how heavy that weight can feel. e Alexander Foundation was created back in 1981 to help LGBTQ+ Coloradans carry less of that burden.
At rst, it started as a community e ort during the AIDS crisis, but it has grown into one of the longest-running sources of nancial assistance for queer people in the state! Today, they’re known for two main things—scholarships and emergency assistance grants. eir
scholarships are a game-changer for queer students who want to pursue higher education but cannot a ord it. e emergency grants help people cover essentials like rent, utilities, and medical bills when times get tough.
Both programs send the same message: queer people deserve stability, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive.
e Alexander Foundation is not just giving out cash; they are investing in the future.
COLORADO HEALTH NETWORK
Colorado Health Network is all about keeping people alive and healthy, and they have been doing it for decades. Most people know them for their work around HIV prevention and care, but their impact is much wider than that. ey run clinics, testing services, counseling, and harm reduction programs across the state! One of the most important parts of CHN’s work is ghting the HIV stigma. Even in 2025, there is still so much misunderstanding about HIV, and CHN creates safe,
judgment-free spaces for people to get treatment.
Recovery spaces can sometimes feel like they weren’t built for us. Queer and trans people often walk into traditional recovery programs and feel judged, misunderstood, or even invisible. Purple Mountain Recovery is working to change that by creating programs that are inclusive, a rming, and trauma-informed.
ey place a focus on healing, not punishment. PMR recognizes that addiction often grows out of pain, a product
ey are also leading in harm reduction, o ering syringe access and other services that can meet people where they are instead of demanding perfection. Beyond healthcare, they help with things like housing and food support, recognizing that health is about way more than just doctor's visits. For the queer community, CHN is a safety net, making sure people not only survive, but thrive!
TRANS CONTINENTAL PIPELINE
With increasing numbers of anti-trans bills across the U.S., e Trans Continental Pipeline is a grassroots nonpro t, mutual aid organization in Denver that focuses on housing and community building for LGBTQ+ people seeking to leave their current state for safety in Colorado. ey utilize state organizations, local businesses, LGBTQ+ organizations, and the local queer community to help these transplants. eir programs
PURPLE MOUNTAIN RECOVERY
of rejection, trauma, or isolation that oftentimes queer people know all too well. Instead of shaming people, they provide community-based support that helps folks rebuild their lives in a way that feels authentic. PMR is proof that recovery can look di erent for di erent people, and that’s a good thing. By centering LGBTQ+ experiences in their work, they’re making recovery more accessible and hopeful for the people who need it most.
THEIR HOUSE
is resource is incredibly important, especially in terms of helping our housing-insecure and struggling trans individuals. eir House is an organization in Aurora that provides housing, gender-a rming services, and a supportive network to transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ people in Colorado. Motivated by recent federal and state grants being cut, eir House’s goal is to help meet the basic needs of people in our local Trans community.
develop queer housing networks, helping LGBTQ+ folks nd living arrangements and roommates. ey also are developing a moving assistance grant program that helps move queer people safely to Colorado using donations—Every $1000 goes towards helping ve people! Additionally, they coordinate a network of people providing temporary housing for LGBTQ+ people who need immediate housing to move to Colorado.
ey provide clothing and personal hygiene products—through their Trans Closet Initiative—name change services, counseling, and even some medical services like HIV and STI testing. Combined with how they help provide housing to trans people facing housing insecurity, this resource is especially important right now. ey also have frequent educational and community events and create community zines—working to foster a supportive network.
TRANSGENDER CENTER OF THE ROCKIES
is one is urgent. e Transgender Center of the Rockies is a lifeline for trans people, especially youth in Colorado, but their funding has recently been cut heavily. is puts everything they do at risk, and what they do is absolutely critical: mental health counseling, hormone therapy access, case management, support groups, and even basics like clothes.
For many trans people, TCR is the only a rming resource they have. Losing it
MILE HIGH BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
would mean losing a safe place to get healthcare, to nd community, and to simply exist without fear. It is not dramatic to say that without TCR, lives could be lost. e people who work and volunteer there have built a space that says, loudly and clearly, “You belong here.” Right now, they need donations, visibility, and community support more than ever. If you are wondering where your time, money, or energy could make the most di erence, this could be it.
Mile High Behavioral Healthcare is a cornerstone of support in Denver o ering inclusive and a ordable behavioral health services that empower individuals to thrive. rough specialized programs like Denver Element and the Transgender Center of the Rockies, they provide a rming care tailored to the LGBTQ+ community.
eir services include substance use
counseling, where compassionate professionals work with individuals to build personalized plans focused on healing, resilience, and healthier living. Mile High also o ers PrEP navigation to connect individuals with stigma-free HIV prevention options, along with free HIV/STI testing. For those living with HIV, support groups provide a welcoming space for emotional connection and community.
COLORADO NAME CHANGE PROJECT
Legal systems are a maze, and for trans or nonbinary folks, navigating a name change can feel impossible without help. e Colorado Name Change Project exists to make the process easier, clearer, and more accessible. ey provide detailed guides, legal resources, and even nancial assistance for people who need help covering court costs or attorney fees.
eir work may sound technical, but its impact is deeply personal. Having
legal documents that re ect your name and identity can change everything, from job applications to doctor visits or even safety in your day-to-day life. is project has built a community around patience, persistence, and understanding paperwork. By helping people align their legal identity with who they truly are, CNCP is giving folks something priceless, the chance to move through the world with a little less fear, and much more authenticity.
With anti-LGBTQ+ protesters getting more aggressive, this nonpro t is doing incredibly important work. Parasol Patrol is a nonpro t organization that protects young people and kids from protesters and hate groups. eir volunteer Patrollers use umbrellas to walk in-between families with children and protesters and hate groups to keep them safe.
ey also have an education program where they speak at public events. As
well as training businesses, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations about safety, youth tra cking, and hate groups. eir other main program involves curbing human tra cking. On their website, they write, “Most minors engaged in both labor and sex tra cking are kids who have run away or been kicked out of sometimes abusive homes, usually because they're queer.” ey o er resources to these at-risk queer youths.
CHOOSE TO L;VE
If part of your activism includes outward, fashionable support, Choose to L;VE is perfect for you! Choose to L;VE, LLC is a queer-owned small business in Castle Rock dedicated to ghting for systemic mental health reform, and overall, a shift in the way society treats mental illness. e founder, Alicia Nolan, tragically lost her wife to suicide and now dedicates her work to channeling personal grief into societal bene t. Every Choose to L;VE product sold donates a portion of proceeds to the
THE DELORES PROJECT
e Delores Project is doing incredible work to support women, transgender, and nonbinary people experiencing homelessness in Denver. eir shelter and supportive housing programs focus on dignity rst, because everyone deserves a safe place to land. What makes Delores stand out is that they go beyond short-term shelter. ey help
people transition into stability by providing case management, community meals, and connections to long-term housing. ey strive for an inclusive and a rming environment, recognizing that homelessness a ects queer and trans folk in unique ways. ey don’t just hand out beds, they build belonging.
Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership—As of 2025, they have raised over $5,500 for them. All their products (shirts, hats, sweatshirts, etc.) feature semicolons, a symbol that historically represents hope and continuing in the face of mental health struggles. Nolan also partners with Make Mental Health Matter, an organization that normalizes conversations about mental health through educational and community events.
PARASOL PATROL
OVER THE RAINBOW PROJECT
is project brings art, connection, and mental health together for queer youth and adults. Over e Rainbow Project delivers lasting impact by reducing recidivism and relapse while increasing job readiness for LGBTQIA2+, justice-involved individuals. rough trauma-informed care, workforce development, and transitional housing, they help participants stabilize, heal, and thrive. Our social enterprise, Changed...For Good, o ers on-the-job training and a supportive retail environment led by certi ed Peer Coaches and QBHAs while also serving the community with harm reduction supplies, wellness resources, and weekly connection events. Yellow Brick Home provides safe, a rming transitional housing paired with wraparound recovery services—creating a digni ed path to inde-
pendence and long-term success.
As an approved treatment provider for the Colorado Department of Corrections, they are deeply committed to giving back and breaking cycles of incarceration and isolation. eir team is passionate about building bridges— not just programs—by creating spaces where community members, donors, and participants come together. ey believe that inviting the broader public into our stores and events reduces stigma, fosters understanding, and strengthens the very neighborhoods we serve. Collaboration is at the heart of everything they do, and they welcome opportunities to work alongside others who are committed to supporting vulnerable populations and creating lasting change.
QUEER ASTERISK
Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS) is the leading youth-serving nonpro t in the Tava- Kaavi (Pikes Peak) region for LGBTQIA2+ young people, ages 13-24. At the IOYS community center, young people have a safe and a rming space to make friends, access resources and trusted adults, and participate in evidence-based programming that covers everything from comprehensive sexual
Queer Asterisk is all about mental health, but they do it di erently. Founded and sta ed by queer and trans therapists, they provide counseling and community programs that center lived experience. ey host workshops, support groups, and therapy sessions for
INSIDE OUT YOUTH SERVICES
education to life skills, leadership to social opportunities.
Out in the community they engage in education and advocacy at both the local and state levels, amplifying youth voices to inform policymakers and promote inclusive practices. In 2024, their advocacy work impacted almost 25,000 young people.
individuals, couples, and families. eir approach is holistic and a rming, blending professional care with community connection. ey are working to prove that healing is possible when you are understood from the start.
ese organizations are proof that our community knows how to show up for each other. ey’re building safety nets, creating pathways to recovery, o ering care, and making sure queer and trans people in Colorado aren’t left behind. Supporting does not have to mean a giant donation. It can be as simple as sharing their work on social media, volunteering your time, or telling a friend about the resources they o er.
Every little bit matters. Because at the end of the day, being queer has always meant building the world we want to live in, even when the state of the world is as scary as it is right now. Engaging with our community is how we stay strong even when times are tough. There are plenty of nonprofits beyond this list to get involved with, so keep searching, and start giving!
Photo by Vanessa James
THE 99ERS
SPORTS BAR
909 E. Colfax Ave, Denver
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BUDDIES
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BAR TAB
POISONED BY ME
1526 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 484-8548 poison-denver.com
THE PEARL
CHAMPAGNE TIGER
601 E. Colfax Ave, Denver champagnetiger.com
CHARLIE'S NIGHTCLUB
900 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 839-8890
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DENVER EAGLE
5110 W. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 534-0500
EL POTRERO
4501 E. Virginia Ave, Glendale (303) 388-8889
2199 California St, Denver thepearldenver.com Instagram @thepearldenver
R&R LOUNGE
4958 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 320-9337
Facebook @randrdenver
TIGHT END BAR
Facebook @denvereaglebar
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GOOD JUDY’S
BAR & CLUB
103 N. 1st St. Grand Junction (970) 433-7115 good-judys.com
HAMBURGER MARY’S
1336 E. 17th Ave. Denver (303) 993-5812 hamburgermarys.com/denver
1501 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 861-9103 tightendbar.com
TOWN HALL COLLABORATIVE
525 Santa Fe Dr, Denver (720) 389-7502 townhallcollaborative.com
LADY JUSTICE BREWING
3242 S Acoma St. Englewood (303) 578-8226 ladyjusticebrewing.com
LIL' DEVILS
255 S. Broadway St. Denver (303) 733-1156
Facebook @lildevilslounge
TRACKS
3500 Walnut St. Denver (303) 836-7326 tracksdenver.com
TRADE
475 Santa Fe Dr, Denver (720) 627-5905 Facebook @tradedenver
WILD CORGI PUB
1223 E. 13th Ave, Denver (303) 832-7636 wildcorgipub.com
X BAR
829 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 832-2687 xbardenver.com
#VYBE
1027 N. Broadway St, Denver (720) 573-8886 303vybe.com
