• CAROL EKARIUS
    Executive Director Carol has been CUSP’s Executive Director since 1999. She holds a Civil Engineering Degree from the UC Denver and has decades of experience in governmental and nonprofit management. Carol is a freelance writer and the author of nine books, including Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit, and The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook. Her articles have appeared in regional and national magazines including Green Builder, Mother Earth News, Western Horseman, and The Writer. She lives with her husband, Ken Woodard, and their farm menagerie near Cripple Creek.  CONTACT  Carol
    Jonathan Bruno Photo JONATHAN  BRUNO
    Senior Operations Director     Jonathan has a Masters in Public Administration from University of Colorado and graduated from the Executive Leadership program at Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He has worked closely with communities on forest health initiatives aimed at creating resilient forests and safer communities, as well as working to restore lands impacted from recent wildfires and natural disasters. With over 20 years within emergency services, as a safety officer for a search and rescue team and as a wildland fire fighter, he continues to work at the intersection of emergency response and community preparedness.   CONTACT  Jonathan
    christhmbCHRIS FULLER
    Deputy Director Chris coordinates grants, projects and programs;  develops and maintains schedules (for people and equipment); and makes sure that safety protocols are implemented with all projects. Water/watershed issues have been of particular interest to Chris as a resident of South Park and former special water district board member.  An Oklahoma University graduate, still practicing architecture and running her antique business, Chris  grabs every opportunity to check out her favorite place, ‘the road less traveled’   CONTACT    Chris
    MichellethmbMICHELLE CONNELLY
    Operations Director After being away from forestry for a number of years, Michelle is excited to be back working in the forests she is so passionate about.  Originally from Kansas, she has a degree in forest management with a minor in watershed management from Colorado State University.  When not uniting people with healthy forests, she is often hiking, reading, cooking or volunteering. Michelle is especially proud of the five daughters she and her husband have raised.  CONTACT  Michelle
     JEFF RAVAGE
    North Fork Watershed Coordinator Jeff develops, oversees and manages projects in the Northfork watershed. Based in Bailey, he hits the ground in the 285 corridor planning projects, and cuttin’ down the occasional tree. He designs and maintains CUSP websites, the CUSP Servers, and designs forest treatments. He also works in the field with crews and volunteers. He enjoys speaking to school groups and fostering a love of the “really real” world. He sleeps just fine, Thank You.  CONTACT  Jeff

  • KatKAT HERRERA
    GIS Technician Kat started with CUSP as a volunteer GIS intern.  Her diverse background includes GIS services in local government. Early on her parents instilled her with passions for the environment, art and science which led to a Bachelors of Science from Metro State College of Denver.  Hobbies include a love of pets, plants and gardening, motorcycling and reading.  CONTACT  Kat
    JEFF TIENKEN

    Natural Resource Technician II Jeff is a graduate of San Jose State University. With over 25 years of experience in drainage and erosion control and logging, Jeff’s skill set provides much needed expertise to lead the CUSP field crew. He manages, schedules and oversees boots-on-the-ground projects and is a member of our Wildland Firefighting Crew.  CONTACT  Jeff
    terrythmb2TERRY SAPOS
    Natural Resource Technician Originally from West Virginia, Terry started as a volunteer working with CUSP’s Neighborhood Fuels Reduction program. That led to running the slash site during the summer season and using his carpentry skills for office repairs and renovations. Terry likes fishing by his under-construction home at 11-Mile Reservoir and building custom furniture.  CONTACT  Terry
    KevinthmbKEVIN RUSSO
    Natural Resource Technician & Office Support Kevin is CUSP’s “artist in residence”. He uses his artistic and jack-of-all-trades talents and resourcefulness in several capacities including work at the Fairplay slash site and biofuels facility. Kevin painted the spectacular donor appreciation murals on the walls at the front entrance of our office. CONTACT   Kevin

    THERESA SPRINGER
    Wildland Fire Rehab & Environmental Education CoordinatorTheresa is an original CUSP staff member and started our environmental and public education and outreach programs. After the Hayman Fire, her responsibilities and expertise expanded rapidly. This extensive work has proven invaluable in providing leadership for work in the Waldo Canyon Fire area. Theresa’s background is in agriculture and range management. CONTACT  Theresa

     

    wendieWENDIE WARNER
    Natural Resource Technician II Wendie was born and raised in Colorado, and considers the San Luis Valley and the tiny town of Mosca home.  She has worked in various natural resource jobs.  Wendie loves to play outside and underground and makes jewelry and metalwork projects in her spare time .  CONTACT  Wendie
    JasonthmbJASON MOORE
    Natural Resource Technician  II Jason joined CUSP after working alongside us for two years post-Waldo Canyon Fire.  His passion and love for nature, the outdoors and community, makes Jason a perfect fit.  Jason enjoys creating art and is inspired by nature. His free time is often spent in the back country.  Along with being a certified sawyer, Jason is a recipient of the Staff Hero Award from the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau for his efforts during the Waldo Canyon Fire.  CONTACT  Jason

    EMMA RAVAGE
    Natural Resource Technician Emma was born and raised in Colorado. She is currently a student at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, working towards a Bachelors’ degree in Biology. Emma enjoys working on invasive species removal project. Also, she has a special place in her heart of exotic animals. CONTACT  Emma

    AdrianKnight

    ADRIAN KNIGHT
    Natural Resource Technician Adrian is a Colorado Native. He graduated from Western State Colorado University with a Bachelors’ Degree in environmental biology & Ecology. When not busy working Adrian loves hiking and chamois with his dogs. CONTACT Adrian

  • Eric Howell, Chair, Colorado Springs Utilities
    Garth Englund Vice Chair, Douglas County
    Jim Idema, Treasurer, Interested Individual
    Tom Eisenman, Park County
    Christina Burri, Denver Water
    Mary Dawson, Aurora Water
    Marc Dettenrieder, Teller County
    Patrick O’Connell, Jefferson County
    Suzanne O’Neill, Colorado Wildlife Federation
    Lynne Buchanan, Interested Individual
    EMERITUS BOARD ADVISORS
     Dave Wissel, Director, Upper South Platte Water Conservancy District