The Perseids Meteor Shower Prompted an Alumni Gathering Full of Commaraderie and Conversation about Dark Skies, Light Pollution, and the Value of Seeing the Stars Written by CI Alum and Assistant Instructor Elizabeth Fero. On the night of August 12th, Cottonwood Alumni gathered at Lefthand Trail in Longmont to watch the annual Perseids meteor shower…. Read more »
Former AXL Academy CAP Students Gathered as an Alumni Community for the First Time to Enjoy an Afternoon of Fishing in Aurora Written by Hannah Posedel, AXL Academy CAP Instructor. Cottonwood Institute launched their first ever Alumni event for AXL Academy Community Adventure Program (CAP) students at Jewel Wetlands Park in Aurora in early August… Read more »
Cooper’s Leadership Journey from Participant to Instructor to Rookie of the Year with Cottonwood Began in 8th-Grade Written by Erin Angel, Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Calling Cooper a “rookie” doesn’t quite fit! Although this is his first year as a Cottonwood Institute instructor, his journey with us began in 8th grade as a… Read more »
Cottonwood Institute Instructors Discuss Student Leadership and the Value of Connecting with Nature on Fox31 Denver’s Colorado Conversations Written by CI Instructor and Communications & Administrative Coordinator Lori Powell. Sometimes the class you never planned to take ends up changing your life. That was the case for Cottonwood Institute alum Iona Kelly, who recently joined… Read more »
More Than 100 Participants Gathered to Learn Traditional Skills, Connect with Nature, and Strengthen Community Connections. Written by Kira Gilliland, Changemaker Alum. Over the past couple of years, our Ancestral Skills Gathering has had a meaningful impact within our small community. This year, however, we wanted to make it even bigger and better. The 3rd… Read more »
Career Bloom Event Helped Young People Explore Career Opportunities Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Our 2026 Partners In the Outdoors Career Day, called Career Bloom, lived up to its name, bringing opportunity, and community to help young people explore their futures. Planned in partnership with Environmental Learning for Kids,… Read more »
Join Us for Our 3rd Annual Ancestral Skills Gathering on April 25, 2026! Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. On a bright fall day, students from our Changemakers Outdoor Leadership Corps were waiting for a shuttle during a backpacking trip in the Rockies. To pass the time, their instructor taught… Read more »
A Day of Service, Gratitude, and Community Rooted in Social Justice and Collective Action Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Cottonwood alumni, Changemakers, and family members came together to turn inspiration into action. Nine of us gathered at Denver’s City Park to listen… Read more »
A Night of Habitat Restoration Work Became a Tribute to Chelsea’s Time at Cottonwood. Written by New Vista CAP Instructor Lori Powell. Cottonwood staff, instructors, board members, Changemaker students, and Alumni recently gathered on an unseasonably warm November evening to take action for local habitat restoration—and to share a heartfelt farewell to Associate Director Chelsea… Read more »
See how one student’s passion for the outdoors and community blossomed into a leadership role, inspiring others and shaping our organization. Written by Associate Director & Senior Instructor Chelsea Tossing. One of our students, Jesse, first joined our school-based CAP Class as a freshman in high school during COVID. Even online, it was obvious how… Read more »
