About us
Meet the Heart and Soul of Cultivating Latino Leadership
Passionate individuals committed to community well-being in Northern Colorado.
Our Story
Historical Narrative of Cultivando
Cultivando is a Latina- and Indigenous-women–led nonprofit founded in 1998 in Eastlake, Colorado, dedicated to strengthening community leadership and advancing health equity for Latino families.
Over more than twenty-five years, the organization has evolved from a small community-based health initiative into a recognized leader in culturally responsive outreach, environmental health education, and community empowerment.
«Serving communities since 1999 — helping plant generosity and future generations»
Our Timeline
Building Community Leadership
Cultivando began in 1998 when a group of Latina and Indigenous women living in Adams County recognized the need for culturally relevant health information and leadership opportunities within their communities. Their early work centered on supporting mothers, youth, and immigrant families in Commerce City, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, and surrounding neighborhoods.
A defining feature of the organization from the beginning was its adoption of the Promotora Model, a community-health approach that train local residents as Promotor de Salud (Health Promoters). These leaders provided trust, peer-to-peer education on health, family well-being, and community resources. This model became the backbone of Cultivando’s identity and remains central to its mission today.
Health Equity and Family Support
As the organization matured, Cultivando expanded its programming to address broader aspects of community well-being. During this period, the nonprofit developed initiatives in:
- Emotional wellness, offering culturally responsive workshops and support groups.
- Early childhood education, helping families prepare young children for long-term success.
- Leadership development, strengthening the capacity of community members to participate in local decision-making.
In 2015, Cultivando became a key partner in the Latino Engagement Taskforce (LET) in Commerce City, a collaborative effort that brought Latino residents and city staff together to identify barriers, expand language access, and improve community trust. LET has since grown into a decade-long initiative recognized for strengthening civic participation.
A Broader Mission
By the late 2010s, Cultivando’s work increasingly intersected with environmental health concerns affecting frontline communities in Adams County. The organization expanded its mission to include:
- Environmental health education
- Community data collection
- Advocacy for clean air and safe water
- Support for families experiencing environmental stressors
Cultivando’s environmental health program emphasizes that a healthy environment is essential for community well-being and that residents should have access to clear, culturally relevant information about local environmental conditions.
This expansion aligned with the organization’s long-standing commitment to health equity and community leadership, positioning Cultivando as a trusted connector between residents, public agencies, and partner organizations.
Community Protection and Public Engagement
In 2024, Cultivando played a central role in community education and engagement around proposed industrial developments. One of the organization’s most notable recent achievements was its involvement in preventing the expansion of the Magellan toxic-chemical pipeline near Dupont Elementary School, a project that raised community concerns about safety and environmental impact. Cultivando’s outreach helped ensure that families had access to information and opportunities to participate in public processes.
The organization also launched and supported public-facing initiatives such as “For My Children, My Grandchildren, and Future Generations”, a campaign focused on long-term community health and environmental stewardship.
Today, Cultivando continues to be recognized by partners—including Patagonia Action Works—for its leadership in health equity, community empowerment, and environmental education.
Who We Are
Our Organization’s Purpose
Mission
Cultivando is a Latino-led, community-rooted organization dedicated to strengthening the well-being, leadership capacity, and civic participation of families across Northern Colorado. Guided by the principle of mutual respect and shared responsibility, our work recognizes that strong communities are built when individuals are supported, informed, and empowered to contribute to collective progress.
We draw upon cultural knowledge, lived experience, and trusted community relationships to deliver inclusive, culturally responsive programs that promote public health, environmental awareness, and community engagement. By fostering collaboration, encouraging local leadership, and connecting residents with resources and decision-making processes, we help communities build practical solutions that improve quality of life today and create lasting benefits for future generations.
Our mission is to support resilient communities where families can participate fully in civic life, access opportunities, and work together to ensure safe, healthy, and thriving neighborhoods for all.
Vision
We envision a future where every person has the opportunity to contribute, lead, and thrive within strong, healthy communities. Cultivando believes that when people are equipped with knowledge, resources, and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, communities become safer, more resilient, and more prosperous for all.
Our vision is grounded in the belief that fair access to education, public health, environmental protection, and civic participation strengthens families and fuels long-term economic and social stability. By fostering collaboration, encouraging local leadership, and supporting community-driven solutions, we help create systems that expand opportunity, promote well-being, and uphold dignity across generations.
Together, we are cultivating communities where individuals are empowered to participate fully in civic life, support one another, and build a shared future rooted in responsibility, opportunity, and hope.
Our Initiatives
Our Initiatives
Promotora Approach
We grow a fellowship of neighborhood guardians of health, inspiring locals to serve as Health Guardians with faith-aligned guidance on wellness and righteous community matters.
Care for the Environment
We yearn for a blessed earth where every creature prospers. Cultivando confronts harm to creation and inspires locals to defend pure air, safe water, and lasting harmony.
Spiritual Strength
Cultivando provides families with divine tools to grow. Our faith-rooted gatherings and fellowship circles inspire members to handle trials and nurture complete wholeness.
Youth Formation
Cultivando sows the foundations of a hopeful tomorrow by guiding tender souls in a faith-honoring setting, promoting intellectual, relational, and heartfelt growth.
Where We Are
Here We Are Changing the Future.
P.O. Box 273, Eastlake, CO 80614
Main office · Northern Colorado
303-288-4783
info@cultivando.org