Join us for TENACITY: Women in Conservation 2025

Anna Cordova

Anna Cordova is the manager of Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. She was the first to hold the position of City Archaeologist and now leads the archaeology department for the City in addition to her role as Park Manager. Born and raised in Colorado Springs with indigenous roots, she brings unique perspectives to park management. During her tenure as City’s first archaeologist, Cordova focused on preserving cultural resources and archaeological sites throughout Colorado Springs, including within Garden of the Gods. She has worked extensively on projects involving cultural preservation and public education about the heritage of people who have called this region home for millennia. Cordova's leadership combines scientific expertise with cultural sensitivity, ensuring the park's natural and historical resources are protected for future generations.

Take Action:

Learn more and get involved with the Garden of the Gods Foundation and Natives Outdoors.

Susan D. Daggett

Susan D. Daggett is a Professor of the Practice of Law and the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (RMLUI) at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where her work focuses on research and education related to sustainable land use law and policy. She also serves on the Board of Smart Growth America, is a founding member of the Colorado Housing Affordability Project (CHAP), and is a member of the Board of Transportation Solutions.   She is also on the Executive Committee of the Metro Denver Nature Alliance.   

Prior to joining the University of Denver, Susan practiced natural resources and environmental law at Earthjustice, managing the Denver regional office. She also previously served as a Commissioner for Denver Water, as a Trustee of the Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and as a founding Board member of Greenprint Denver. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and received her law degree from Yale University.

Take Action:

Our public lands, which are loved to death and understaffed in the best of times, are likely to be under increasing stress in the coming months and years. Join me in signing up for a shift at one of many non-profits that organizes volunteers to conduct clean-ups, maintain trails, and help support out public lands.

Patience Kabwasa

Patience Kabwasa serves as the Executive Director of Food to Power, a community-driven food equity organization in Colorado Springs. Since assuming leadership in 2020, she has orchestrated a successful $2.8 million capital campaign to establish the Hillside Hub—Colorado's first neighborhood food center and urban farm serving Southeast Colorado Springs.

With over two decades of expertise in community-based food systems and food justice work, Patience has strategically transformed Food to Power from its origins as a college-based food rescue project into a comprehensive organization that addresses immediate food access needs while advocating for systemic change. Under her visionary leadership, the organization has grown to a team of 20 staff members who distribute more than 371,000 pounds of food annually, engage hundreds of youth in leadership development programs, and operate an expanding compost social enterprise.

A respected food policy advocate, Patience has influenced decisions at both local and national levels. She effectively mobilized community response to the King Soopers closure in Southeast Colorado Springs and contributed to the Federal Trade Commission's decision to challenge the Kroger-Albertson merger. Her advocacy extends to testifying before Congressional leaders in defense of vital food assistance programs and representing Colorado Springs at national food policy conferences.

Patience's comprehensive understanding of food system transformation stems from her previous roles within the organization as Director of Education and Director of Programs. Her earlier career as a Property & Casualty, Life & Health Insurance Producer honed her exceptional communication skills and ability to translate complex systems for diverse audiences.

Patience holds a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Colorado College and is advancing her academic focus in Strategic Communications at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She remains deeply committed to community wealth building, racial equity, and creating food systems where communities heal and thrive in relationship with food, land, and each other.

Upcoming Events:

11th Harvest Celebration: The People's Food Summit brings together the Pikes Peak region to celebrate local food culture through farm-fresh samples, live music, raffles, a collard greens cook-off, and insights from the farmers, grocers, chefs, and advocates who enrich our community's food system. Save the Date, September 13 from 1-4pm. 

Take Action:

Support Food to Power's mission to cultivate a just and equitable food ecosystem by donating today and helping communities heal and thrive in relationship with food, land, and each other.  Donate to Food to Power.

Yenny Espinosa Niño

Yenny Espinosa Nino is the Outdoor Equity and Education Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County (BGCPC). As a Director, she creates accessible outdoor recreation opportunities and advocates for environmental education through her Outdoor Equity programs.

Prior to her work as a Director at BGCPC, Yenny earned a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Fish and Wildlife at Montana State University. After graduating, she began work as a marine biologist in Alaska along the Aleutian Islands. Upon returning from Alaska in 2021, Yenny moved to Pueblo, CO, and used her unique experiences in the field to teach science to middle school students. In addition to teaching, Yenny worked part-time at BGCPC, which eventually led to a full-time position, allowing Yenny to combine her passion for outdoor recreation and science background to inspire stewardship and exploration in Pueblo's next generation.

Take Action:

Learn more and get involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County and follow them on Facebook.

Lori Weigel

Lori is the Principal of New Bridge Strategy, a woman-owned and operated opinion research firm in Colorado. She has unparalleled expertise in talking to Americans broadly and conservatives, sportsmen, and rural voters in particular about issues related to conservation – including water, climate change, public lands, wildlife, and energy. Her research has helped pass dozens of conservation finance ballot measures, including TOPS in Colorado Springs.
She has briefed leaders on voters’ views of conservation-related issues at conferences, the White House, the Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture, and on Capitol Hill.

Lori was a partner for over 20 years with Public Opinion Strategies, the largest Republican polling firm. She graduated cum laude from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. She lives in Golden and serves on the board of Mountain Area Land Trust.

Take Action:

Learn more about the Colorado College State of the Rockies poll.