A Life Rooted in Land: Nature, Public Service, and the Power of Representation

By Stacie Gilmore, Denver City Councilmember (District 11) and HECHO Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council Member 

I am a proud third-generation Coloradan, a Denver City Councilmember, and a co-founder of Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK). I was born and raised in Brush, Colorado, on the northeastern plains of the state. As a Latina with Indigenous ancestry, understanding my heritage shaped the way I move through the world. It lit a fire in me to fight for environmental justice and equity, not just in policy, but in people’s lives. 

Long before any of these titles, I was a child lying in a bassinet beside my mother while she milked goats. My first experiences were not in city hall or classrooms, but in the pastures, and wild spaces. I remember venturing into the fields, calling for owls and hoping they would respond. We fished, hunted, and grew our own food, living in harmony with the land. That rhythm of life gave me a deep and lasting connection to nature. 

This deep bond to the outdoors carried into adulthood. I studied zoology and chemistry at Metro State University, unsure of where it would lead. Then one summer, I found myself teaching kids how to fish in Washington Park. I didn’t know it then, but that summer changed everything. It marked the beginning of my career in conservation, youth engagement, and public service.  

When the youth program ended, the kids asked what was next. They were hungry to stay connected, to stay outside, to stay seen. So, my husband and I co-founded Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) in 1996. We wanted to give back to young people from underrepresented communities who deserved to feel at home in nature and confident in their power. 

Through ELK, I learned something that’s stayed with me: connecting youth to the outdoors isn’t just good for them, it’s essential for all of us and our collective survival. If future generations don’t feel connected to nature, who will rise to protect it? 

As meaningful as ELK has been in my life, I knew I had to go further. It wasn’t enough to inspire. I recognized that lasting change required addressing the systemic barriers holding families back. That realization led me to run for Denver City Council, where I focus on workforce development, climate resilience, and environmental justice. Fighting for the land also means fighting for the people who live on it. 

We’re facing huge challenges: water scarcity, rising temperatures, shrinking biodiversity. These aren’t problems one person or one community can solve alone.   

Historically, the perspective and stories of Latino and Hispanic communities have often been excluded from conservation narratives. We must not only participate in these efforts, but also lead them. Our unique knowledge and experiences can create a more resilient approach to conservation. The land has always been part of our story, and we must be part of its future. By stepping into these conversations and leading with our voices, we can protect what cannot be replaced for generations to come. 

Representation matters.