Program Summary
The Colorado Change Leader Program builds effective and ethical leaders and leadership pipelines for stronger Colorado creative communities and industries.
The program is made up of:
- A Change Leader Institute.
- A Change Leader Implementation Project.
- An annual Change Leader alumni convening at the CCI Summit.
- An alumni network.
- Opportunities for funding to support alumni professional development and mentorship.
Intended Audience:
Emerging and established leaders—within groups, communities, or organizations—who are working through collaboration to build a better Colorado through arts and culture.
Program Goals and Objectives:
Build effective and ethical leaders and leadership pipelines for stronger Colorado creative communities and industries.
- Through transformational experiences and curriculum, uncover leaders’ personal strengths and authentic leadership styles.
- Deliver lasting leadership skills that empower ethical influence and productive collaboration.
- Deliver and maintain wide-circle experiences where everyone is valued, has access, and feeds back into the program.
Strengthen Colorado’s creative communities through deep connections that realize the power of inter and intra-community collaboration.
- Establish and encourage strong personal bonds for self-actualized networks.
- Build an inclusive and welcoming environment where all participants unhesitatingly reach out to CCI and program alumni for support.
- Build a network that connects creative leaders from across Colorado’s many diverse communities and geographies.
The institute is a month-long leadership course that includes pre-readings, a three-day in-person leadership intensive, two 2-hour remote training modules, personal coaching, and meetings with a learning pod. Following completion of the Change Leader Institute, Change Leaders are eligible to apply for funding to support an implementation project. Alumni are also eligible to apply for funding to support initiatives that provide opportunities for professional development and collaboration within the alumni network.
The Colorado Change Leader application is open May 12-July 18, 2025.
Overview
Type: Leadership program
For: Colorado residents interested in community building
Cost: Participants are provided with a stipend that covers food, lodging, and materials required for participation.
Application period: May 12-July 18, 2025
OEDIT division: Colorado Creative Industries
Change Leader Institute
The Colorado Change Leader Program accepts 12-25 participants for the 3-day institute that is held annually in the fall. We keep class sizes small to allow active learning and personal connection. When reviewing applications, we consider participant and organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and geographic diversity.
The institute is a month-long three-day leadership course that includes:
- Pre-readings.
- A three-day in-person leadership intensive.
- Two 2-hour remote training modules.
- Personal coaching.
- Meetings with a learning pod.
- Helps participants change their communities.
Change Leader Implementation Project
Following completion of the Change Leader Institute, Change Leaders are eligible to apply for funding to support an implementation project. Change Leader Projects are creative solutions to social and community needs. After you take part in the institute, you can submit a project proposal. If your proposal is accepted, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) will give a stipend of up to $500 to complete your project.
You will need to plan a project that responds to your community’s needs. Each project is different, and we encourage Change Leaders to work together on projects. Past project examples include:
- Supporting local civic engagement using arts as a medium.
- Implementing a creative activity using the Change Leader network as a collective volunteer pool of collaborative partners.
- Illustrating the impact of the arts and artists in meeting social and community needs through new targeted activities.
- Increasing connections among diverse groups in their respective communities.
- Raising awareness of and creating a stronger sense of unity in the Change Leader network and the creative sector through media and other public relations.
Change Leader Network
An important part of the Change Leader program is continued engagement with the statewide network of participants. Change Leaders are resources and mentors to each other in the sometimes isolated work of creating lasting change in communities.
We hold statewide meetings of Change Leaders each year in conjunction with the Colorado Creative Industries Summit to continue networking and educational opportunities.
Throughout the year, we engage Change Leaders through network communications, regional gatherings and other opportunities for learning and connection. We encourage Change Leaders to be active in the network and help in creating engagement around issues, challenges, and opportunities.
Change Leader Alumni are eligible to apply for the CO Change Leader Network Activation Grant for funding to support initiatives that provide professional development and develop avenues of mentorship, collaboration, and mutual support between Change Leaders.
Change Leaders are a diverse group and can be anyone working creatively to improve his or her community. They represent rural, urban, suburban, and mountain areas, communities and organizations of all sizes, businesses, and creatives.
To apply for the Change Leader Program, you need to:
- Be a Colorado resident.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Work or volunteer as one or more of these: individual visual or performing artist or designer, civic leader, executive director, professor, government employee, business owner, representative of creative enterprises or a board member, or an administrator or volunteer of a cultural or creative nonprofit.
If you are selected for an institute:
- You need to participate fully in the three-day institute agenda.
- You are responsible for your transportation to the site.
Applications for the Fall 2025 institute will be accepted between May 12-July 18, 2025. Please refer to the program schedule below to ensure that you are available to participate. Applications should be submitted through the new grants portal.
Applicants can find additional information in our OEDIT Portal Applicant Guide, (Google Doc).
Application Questions:
- Tell us about your involvement in the creative sector?
- Please select the title/s that best fits your role/s?
- Individual artist or creative
- Arts administrator
- Public sector employee
- Community organizer or activist
- Elected official
- Business owner
- Non profit leader or staff
- Educator
- Other __________________________
- Please list the organization with which you are employed, if applicable and relevant to your participation in the Change Leader program.
- Please summarize your experience and background in your field.
- Have you participated in a leadership program or training in the past? If so, what was the program?
- Have you ever worked with a professional coach before?
- Why do you want to participate in the Change Leader Institute?
This program is a 4 week program consisting of a 1.5 hour virtual orientation, a 3.5 day in-person institute, a 2.5 hour remote follow-up session, 3 virtual coach check-ins, and 2 virtual pod meetings. You can find a full overview of the schedule on our website. Are you able to commit to the full duration of the program and do you have support from your supervisor (if applicable) to participate?
The Change Leader program is designed to help participants lead change in their community or organization. We ask that participants identify at least one challenge or opportunity to focus on during the training. At the end of the Change Leader program, all participants will be eligible to apply for a $500 stipend to help them implement a Change Leader Implementation Project. The project will serve as a real-life application of learning materials and should be modest in scope. Examples of possible projects include hosting a community meeting or engagement workshop, developing a collaboration with another organization, organizing a community-led art project, etc.
- Please describe a challenge or opportunity that you would like to address in your organization or community, and that you would be interested in using as the focus of your practice and implementation throughout the Change Leader program.
- (Optional) You are invited to provide up to three links to provide context to your work and experience (example: LinkedIn, professional website, press or articles, social media, etc.)
Week of October 13: Pre-readings assigned; 1.5 hour virtual orientation meeting
October 19-22: Change Leader Institute
- Participants will arrive at the institute location on Sunday afternoon for an introductory activity and dinner that afternoon/evening
- The institute will conclude mid-afternoon on Wednesday, October 22
- Participants should anticipate a full schedule of events each day, including communal meals and evening activities
October 27-November 30: One-on-one check-ins with coach and learning pod meetings
We select Change Leader participants whose applications represent:
- Passion and commitment to community engagement and the arts.
- A variety of arts and cultural leadership experience.
- Geographic, ethnic, and cultural diversity.
- Age and gender diversity.
- Support community vitality through the arts and the creative sector.
View CCI Change Leaders in a full screen map
Spring 2014: Mt. Princeton Change Leaders
Brandy Brandy, Eagle, CO
Chantalle Hanschu, Denver, CO
Charles Leslie, Durango, CO
David Dadone, Boulder, CO
Delaney Keating, Gunnison, CO
Gisela Flanigan, Grand Junction, CO
Jay Seller, Denver, CO
Marilyn Leuszler, Trinidad, CO
Pamela Denahy, La Junta, CO
Pamela Pleasant-Foster, Craig, CO
Tanya Mote, Denver, CO
Tom Dessain, Crestone, CO
Fall 2014: Shining Blue Change-ineers
Amanda Flores, Taos, NM
Armondo Silva, Greeley, CO
Bruce Borowsky, Boulder, CO
Carlie Kenton, Gunnison, CO
Julie Worley, La Junta, CO
Katherine Danforth, Crestone, CO
Kathy Webb, Laporte, CO
Kenneth Grimes, Denver, CO
Kim Keith, Steamboat Springs, CO
Mary Hockenberry, Hotchkiss, CO
Ralph Holloway, Woodland Park, CO
Michael Varnum, Salida, CO
Spring 2015: Goose Buck-A-Neers
Andy Vick, Colorado Springs, CO
Angela Canada Hopkins, Loveland, CO
Catherine Augur, Creed, CO
Curtis Killorn, Salida, CO
Danielle Brooks, Aurora, CO
Jeannene Bragg, Denver, CO
Jose Esparza, Denver, CO
Judd Farner, Fort Collins, CO
Kim Harrell, Aurora, CO
Maureen Hearty, Joes, CO
Rachel Basye, Denver, CO
Rachelle Alvarez, Rocky Ford, CO
Fall 2015: GooseRiders
Annette Coleman, Lakewood, CO
Barbie Corey, Yuma, CO
Damon McLeese, Denver, CO
Dulcie Willis, Fort Collins, CO
Justin Garoutte, Antonito, CO
Lynn Waldorf, Denver, CO
Michelle Uyemura, Wray, CO
Nathan Richie, Golden, CO
Ryan Foo, Denver, CO
Sarah Leversee, Boulder, CO
Sheila Sears, Denver, CO
Tyler Breuer, Denver, CO
Spring 2016: The V Force
Amy Kimberly, Carbondale, CO
Ben Litwin, Denver, CO
Bryce Alexander
Carla Aguilar, Denver, CO
Crystal Bliss Lardy, Colorado Springs, CO
Elizabeth VanDyne, Loveland, CO
Jeff Owsley, Alamosa, CO
Leah Brenner Clack, Boulder, CO
Leanne Goebel, Pagosa Springs, CO
Mary George, Paonia, CO
Ryan Nisogi, Denver, CO
Fall 2016: Change Devils
Toluwanimi Obiwole, Denver, CO
Karol Gates, Denver, CO
Deborah Malden, Boulder, CO
Ashley Ahlene, Buena Vista, CO
Kendall Smith, Englewood, CO
Winter Ross, Crestone, CO
Candice Bannister, Steamboat Springs, CO
Christy Costello, Denver, CO
Andrew Schneider, Trinidad, CO
Kristina Bad Hand, Denver, CO
Robert Joseph, Montrose, CO
Christine Scott, Durango, CO
Spring 2017: The Charettes
Ruth Wilson, Denver, CO
Andre Carbonell, Denver, CO
Cris Ciani, Denver, CO
Maria Cocchiarelli, Walsenburg, CO
Kasey Correia, Ignacio, CO
Krista DeHerrera, Gypsum, CO
Hamidah Glasgow, Fort Collins, CO
Mary Hoffman, Alamosa, CO
Kathy Iwanowski, Denver, CO
Jing Yeng, Denver, CO
Jack Rogers, Fort Collins, CO
Fall 2017: Colaborado Change Gang
Meredith Badler, Denver, CO
Becca Bay, Timnath, CO
Lerita Cavness, Denver, CO
Lares Feliciano, Denver, CO
Ann Lukacs, Fairplay, CO
Jill MacKay, Bellvue, CO
Matthew Mammola, Englewood, CO
Sooner McKay, Mount Crested Butte, CO
Erin Murphy, Durango, CO
Brendan Picker, Denver, CO
Mundi Ross, Colorado Springs, CO
Jan Nadav, Denver, CO
Spring 2018: Super Tasters
Mary Jo Coulehan, Pagosa Springs, CO
Stuart Handloff, Steamboat Springs, CO
Amy Lynn, Denver, CO
Crystal Jacquez, Denver, CO
Wael Khalifa, Denver, CO
Denise Leslie, Durango, CO
Dagny McKinley, Steamboat Springs, CO
Taylor Tschida, Denver, CO
Claudia Moran-Pichardo, Denver, CO
Keyonne Session, Denver, CO
Anna Lee Vargas, Antonito, CO
Emily Whalen, Denver, CO
Fall 2018: Wave Riders
Angie Lackey, Greeley, CO
Antonio Mendez, Denver, CO
Heather Leavitt Martinez, Durango, CO
JD McCrumb, Columbine Valley, CO
Jonathan Howard, Denver, CO
Katherine Rich, Carbondale, CO
Samantha Johnson, Denver, CO
Scott Parker, Steamboat Springs, CO
Sydney Clapp, Denver, CO
Tara Thomas, Colorado Springs, CO
Victoria Martinez, Alamosa, CO
Suzi Smith, Denver, CO
Fall 2019: The Veginots Eleven
Caitlyn Love, Grand Junction, CO
Susie Kaldis, Paonia, CO
Gillian Laycock, Hugo, CO
Jennifer Dewey, Denver, CO
Garrett Hilpipre, Denver, CO
Alexis Whitham, Denver, CO
Sandra Dolak, La Veta, CO
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Boulder, CO
Helanius Wilkins, Boulder, CO
Ulises Fernandez, Denver, CO
Susan Lander, Durango, CO
Spring 2022: CO-FLOW
Jen Olsen, Denver, CO
David Goe, Grand Junction, CO
Kristi Rogers, Trinidad, CO
Armida Huerta, Mancos, CO
Kennedy Reilly-Pugh, Pueblo, CO
Evan Tueller, Telluride, CO
Sarah Harrison, Denver, CO
Jevon Taylor, Denver, CO
Rachel Hanson, Lafayette, CO
Emily King, Arvada, CO
Sarah Slater, Denver, CO
Tya Anthony, Denver, CO
Fall 2022: Flocking Amazing
Andres Giraldo, Denver, CO
Beau Augustin, Denver, CO
Bliss Coleman, Aurora, CO
Cindy Foley, Colorado Springs, CO
Emma Acheson, Denver, CO
Josh Palmeri, Denver, CO
Katie Kindle, Fort Collins, CO
Lila Day, Pueblo, CO
Maura Adamson, Golend, CO
Megan Janssen, Carbondale, CO
Mitchell Oliver, Hotchkiss, CO
Alan Brooks, Denver, CO
Rachel Wattles, Hayden, CO
Tina Chavera, Denver, CO
Fall 2024: Glenwood Springs, WHOOSH!
Alejandra Calvo
Allison Galgiani
Araceli "Celi" Torres
Boris "Buba" Basishvili
Carlee Kristine Burnett
Dolly Raines
Haley Van Camp
Lisa Eldred
Marissa Morrow
Martin "Marty" Wollesen
Miarri Phillips
Michael Stout
Michelle Winchell
Saam Golgoon
Sarah Davis
Tinsley Ore
Success Stories
“Art is often a solo enterprise, but it can also play a bigger role in communication and community building. Change Leaders has been a positive, practical influence and inspiration for me. Everyone who has anything to do with art should be part of this. Keep up the good work!”
– Craig Hibberd, Fort Collins
“The Colorado Change Leader Institute helped me better understand the strengths and weaknesses in my community work, and gave me the tools to be effective in achieving my heart’s vision. The beauty of this training is I am still learning from it three years later.”
– Mary Hockenbery, Hotchkiss
“The institute didn’t just help me refocus and gain a new perspective on what community leadership really means, it reminded me how to connect with others through authentic dialogue.”
– Becca Bay, Timnath
“The Colorado Change Leader Institute helped me better understand the strengths and weaknesses in my community work, and gave me the tools to be effective in achieving my heart’s vision. The beauty of this training is I am still learning from it three years later.”
– Mary Hockenbery, Hotchkiss
“The institute didn’t just help me refocus and gain a new perspective on what community leadership really means, it reminded me how to connect with others through authentic dialogue.”
– Becca Bay, Timnath
Program Manager
