About us
Discover the essence of Latino leadership development
People who are passionate and committed to the well-being of the community.
Our Story
Historical Narrative of Cultivando
Cultivando is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 in Commerce City, Colorado, dedicated to strengthening community leadership and advancing health equity for 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
Our History Begins...
Cultivando was founded as Community Enterprise on 05/06/1999 when a group of Adams County residents recognized the need for culturally relevant health information and leadership opportunities in their communities.
Their initial work focused on supporting families in Commerce City and nearby communities.
Cultivando's Promotora Model begins
Community Enterprise transitioned to Cultivando on 07/27/2016. This marks the beginning of the succesful Promotora Model.
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.
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 end of 2021, 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 an organization that uplifts the leadership of our community to promote healthy people and environments through education, collaboration, and social change.
Vision
All of us have the power to create and transform just and humane social systems that provide opportunities for our communities to thrive.
Our Initiatives
Our Initiatives
At Cultivando, we trust in the potential of our neighbors to thrive. We cultivate a future where all people have the guidance and resources they need to achieve their goals and build a fulfilling life. Through a network of meaningful efforts, we promote health and strengthen families as part of our commitment to the community.
Early Childhood & Family Well-Being
This training strengthens Promotoras’ ability to support caregivers with tools for healthy child development and nurturing homes. It covers early learning, parenting, and family engagement using culturally responsive approaches, helping participants grow from caregivers into trusted community peer leaders.
Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being
Participants develop skills to foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and collective care. Training emphasizes stigma reduction, stress management, and trauma-informed practices. Promotoras are prepared to facilitate conversations and connect families to resources that support emotional well-being —for themselves and others.
Leadership Development & Civic Engagement
Cultivando’s Promotora Model develops community leaders through training in advocacy, systems, public speaking, facilitation, and civic engagement. Grounded in cultural strengths and lived experience, Promotoras address inequities and lead community-led change toward social justice and healthier communities.
Youth Leadership Development
Raíces de Mañana nurtures the leadership of young people by grounding them in identity, belonging, and purpose through an environmental justice lens. This youth-centered track supports participants to explore how their lived experiences, cultural roots, and community histories connect to environmental conditions that shape their health, neighborhoods, and futures.
Where We Are
We Are Changing the Future.
P.O. Box 273, Eastlake, CO 80614
303-870-9100
info@cultivando.org