We welcome the following newly appointed board members: • Ida Williams - A member impacted by and with experience in racial justice issues (4-year term) • Hilda Nucete - A member with experience working on conservation issues (4-year term) • Krystal Tran - A youth member from a community served by the grant (2-year term) • Omar Munoz - A youth member from a community served by the grant (1-year term) Board members were selected through an open and public application process. After careful consideration, the committee selected the final candidates from about 40 applicants, and the four new board members have now been formally appointed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources.
“Congratulations to the new members of the Outdoor Equity Grant Board. In only a few short years the Board has already demonstrated significant success and impact for Colorado youth and under-represented communities in Colorado’s outdoors,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “I am impressed by the new energy and youth who serve on this Board, who have stepped up as the next generation of leaders who are willing to do the hard critical work to ensure we have equal access for all Coloradans in our great outdoors.”
The board administers the Outdoor Equity Grant program and awards grants to organizations or applicants that engage youth up to age 25 and their families from underrepresented communities by providing equitable access to Colorado’s parks, outdoor recreation, conservation activities, career exploration, and job training. The traditionally excluded communities served by this program include Black, Indigenous, and people of color, American Indian and Native, LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, and low-income individuals.
“I am grateful for all the members of the Outdoor Equity Grant Board who advise Colorado Parks and Wildlife in making Colorado more equitable, inclusive, and accessible,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “ Every year I am impressed by this Board’s thoughtful approach to serving youth and families from diverse backgrounds across the state of Colorado, and I look forward to seeing the sustained impact this Board will have on CPW’s mission.”
About Ida Williams: Ida, born and raised in Colorado, is a member of the Santee Dakota, Oglala Lakota, Northern and Southern Cheyenne, and Ojibwe Tribes. Ida studied Accounting and Finance at University of Colorado, Denver, as an undergrad before getting her MBA at Gonzaga. She has worked across many industries throughout the state but now supports community-led philanthropic projects across Colorado through her work at Trailhead Institute. Before joining Trailhead, Ida worked with American Indian organizations and local entrepreneurs to build financial capacities and better boards of directors. Ida is deeply connected and invested in the nonprofit community, especially those serving urban American Indian Families and Youth. She also owns her own small business beautifying Coloradans. From hairbrushes to power tools, Ida loves learning and trying out new skills and crafts. When she’s not working on something, Ida can be found spending time with her big family or outdoors enjoying our own Colorful Colorado.
About Hilda Nucete: Hilda Nucete's journey is a tapestry woven with threads of advocacy, leadership, and a profound love for the outdoors. Born in a Venezuelan oil camp and raised amidst the bustling streets of Caracas, Venezuela, Hilda's path was shaped by the complexities of her homeland's political landscape. In 2007, she embarked on a life-changing move to Colorado with her family, where her awareness expanded to encompass social, racial, and environmental justice.
Professionally, Hilda's passion for positive change led her to roles such as the Protégete Program Director at Conservation Colorado, where she orchestrated impactful environmental initiatives. Currently, as the Senior Director of Civic Engagement at League of Conservation Voters, she leads voter registration programs in marginalized communities, registering over 1.5 million voters. Hilda's commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors. She served as the Co-Chair for the Health Equity Commission and chaired the Best Practices for Community Engagement Subcommittee of the Colorado Environmental Justice Action Task Force, driving transformative recommendations.
Outside of her advocacy work, Hilda finds solace and joy in Colorado's breathtaking landscapes. Her love for the outdoors not only rejuvenates her spirit, it fuels her commitment to environmental conservation and justice.
About Omar Munoz: Omar Munoz is pursuing a pre-med biology degree at the University of Colorado, with plans to advance to medical school, and works as a medical assistant and EMT with a profound commitment to supporting underrepresented populations through healthcare. Beyond these roles, Omar is also a CPR instructor, teaching life-saving skills at the clinic where he works and for his community.
Omar is deeply involved in volunteer work, assisting in teaching English and citizenship classes, and an avid outdoors enthusiast, embracing all that Colorado has to offer. From hiking and skiing to exploring the state's diverse geography, his interests in the natural world extend to its rocks, minerals, plants, and wildlife. He is driven by his passion for healthcare, education, community service, and a profound appreciation for nature.
About Krystal Tran: Born and raised in Denver, Krystal is passionate about sharing accessible green spaces in urban areas with her community members through environmental educational programs. In 2022, she graduated from Colorado State University in Environmental Science and Sustainability, Environmental Affairs. She hopes to continue addressing environmental disparities and recognize programs that have the same passion for environmental justice. In her free time, she loves to thrift, explore local businesses in the city, and take care of all her house plants.
For more information about the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, visit cpw.state.co.us.
___ The OEGP is funded with Colorado Lottery proceeds and allocates funding through grants for initiatives that focus on increasing access to the outdoors for youth and families from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in outdoor recreation and conservation. For more information, visit cpw.state.co.us.
Photo captions, left to right: Ida Williams, Hilda Nucete, Omar Munoz, Krystal Tran.
LOL! Give the gov't money and they'll figure a dumb way to spend it.
I have an equitable solution for everyone. Turn the door knob and step outdoors. Disband the board because issue has been solved.
Trade ya! MLG for Kristi. Sounds like a good trade to me.
Waking up every day to another loss isn't any fun at all. Instead of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-roading and some freedom, I could get into frisbee golf, selling hemp handbags on Etsy and helping my buddies as we destroy the remaining things that made Colorado such a great place growing up.
