Join us for our annual Communities Against Poverty event on Thursday, December 12th from 11am to 1pm at History Colorado Center! Learn more and register today!

¡Únase a nosotros para nuestro evento anual Comunidades Contra la Pobreza el jueves 12 de diciembre de 11am a 1pm en el Centro de Historia de Colorado! ¡Aprenda más y regístre hoy!

About us /

Our Board of Directors

Beatriz Bonnet

Beatriz Bonnet

(she, her, ella)

Chair
Highlands Ranch

Beatriz Bonnet has served on the board of CCLP since January 2021. She recently retired as owner, President and CEO of Syntes Language Group, Inc., an award-winning international communications firm. A sought-after speaker, diplomatic translator, and marketing consultant, Ms. Bonnet has addressed audiences in Argentina, Canada, Austria, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, China, and throughout the United States.

Ms. Bonnet previously served as President of the National Association of Women Business Owners-Denver. She has served as board member for the American Translators Association (ATA), the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Metro State College’s Center for Innovation, and the Founders’ Committee at the Center for the Advancement of Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship at The Women’s College, University of Denver. She was a judge for the Denver Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business from 2006 through 2017 and was member and Secretary of the Water for People Board of Directors (2018-2023).

Ms. Bonnet holds Bachelor of Music (magna cum laude) and Master of Music degrees in Flute Performance and Music Theory from the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University.

Lynn Borup

Lynn Borup

(she, her)

Vice Chair and Secretary
Mtn2Lk Health Brokers
Telluride

Lynn joined the CCLP Board in June 2022. She brings 30+ years of extensive healthcare experience in executive leadership roles in both the nonprofit and for-profit arenas. Working across multiple states and in diverse communities, she has focused on serving vulnerable populations. As the first executive director of Tri-County Health Network, Lynn dedicated 12 years developing programs and initiatives to advance health equity and promote racial justice, inclusivity, and cultural understanding throughout rural southwest Colorado. She has spearheaded expansion strategies and successfully led development teams for a number of health plans including Anthem, Colorado Choice Health Plans, and Inland Empire Health Plan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Colorado State University. Lynn enjoys skiing, playing hockey, and experiencing Colorado’s beautiful outdoors with her husband and their three sons.

 

Carol Brite

Carole Brite, CPA

(she, her)

Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer, LENA Foundation
Denver

Carole joined the Board of CCLP in June 2022.  She is currently the CFO of LENA Foundation whose mission is to transform children’s futures through early talk technology and data driven programs. Carole has over 25 years of leadership experience first as an audit partner for RSM and then with several mission driven nonprofit organizations, including as the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and the COO of Financial Health Network and the CAO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver. Carole earned a BS in Accounting from Indiana University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Matthew Baca

Matthew Baca

(he, him, él)

Member
Colorado Legal Services
Denver

Matt Baca became the Executive Director of Colorado Legal Services, Colorado’s statewide legal aid provider, in March 2023. Before that, Matt served by appointment of Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser as the Director of the Community Engagement Division in the office of the Colorado Attorney General. Prior to joining the AG’s office, he was an attorney in the Migrant Farm Worker Division of Colorado Legal Services, where he litigated a full docket of employment, civil rights, and human trafficking cases. Before that, he was an associate attorney with the Seattle office of Earthjustice and a judicial law clerk in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He graduated in 2011 with a joint M.P.A./J.D. from the Harvard Kennedy School and New York University School of Law, where he was a Root-Tilden-Kern Scholar.

 

Thomas Davidson

Thomas Davidson

(he, him)

Member
Counties & Commissioners Acting Together
Summit County

Thomas serves as the Executive Manager for Counties & Commissioners Acting Together. For fourteen years he was a county commissioner for Summit County. He has served on the Board for One Colorado and Early Milestones Colorado, as well as the State Board of Human Services and the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, Colorado’s federally-authorized state advisory council for early childhood.

 

Ariana Flores

Ariana Flores

(she, her)

Member
The Equity Project, LLC
Denver

Originally from South Texas and a proud Chicana feminist, Ariana has dedicated her career to furthering racial equity. Ariana has worked as an attorney, advocate, consultant, facilitator, and community organizer on such varied issues as: race & systemic racism; wage theft; immigrants’ rights; homophobia, transphobia, & LGBTQIA+ rights; sexual harassment; employment discrimination; health care access; and intimate partner violence.

Ariana previously served as the National Network Director for the Government Alliance on Race & Equity, a project of Race Forward. At the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, Ariana served as a discrimination complaint investigator, mediator, and Racial Equity Lead, working to improve delivery of services for low-income people and residents of color. At the Oakland Unified School District, Ariana helped secure over $2 million in aid for Oakland’s unaccompanied minors.

Ariana earned her BA in Political Science from Tufts University, and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where she was a William H. Gates Public Service Law Scholar.

 

Ana Fernandez Frank

Ana Fernandez Frank

(she, her, ella)

Member
Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA)
Boulder

Ana joined the Board of CCLP in June 2023. She is the Public Policy and Community Outreach Coordinator at EFAA-Emergency Family Assistance Association- in Boulder, CO working to raise awareness on the broader, systemic issues affecting economically challenged families and individuals in our community, elevating their voices so we may work collaboratively to create local solutions. In this role she collaborated with CCLP and quickly realized her alignment with CCLP’s mission and the impactful work they do. Ana is passionate about social and economic justice and she greatly enjoys the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

Ana earned a BS in Economics from Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), a MA in Development Management and Public Policy from Georgetown University (Washington, DC) and a Certificate in Non Profit Leadership & Management from Austin Community College (Austin, TX).

 

Miriam Goetzke

Miriam Goetzke

(she, her)

Member
CoBank
Denver

Miriam is a Colorado native. She attended Spelman College and graduated from the University of Denver. Her desire for social justice and activism started early in life. It was cultivated by listening to stories of her mother, father and brothers fighting for change, be it getting the first African American on the Colorado Symphony, protesting for better labor rights. She began participating in peaceful protest as a child marching for Martin Luther King Jr. to have a holiday. Miriam found her own voice in activism while living in Germany. While there, she volunteered with Amnesty International helping refugees seeking asylum in Germany to navigate the system. She also spent time at Inci e.V. helping Turkish women newly arrived in Germany to negotiate German society. Upon returning to Colorado, Miriam has volunteered with organizations such as CASA and the Red Cross.

 

Nicholas Heimann

Nicholas Heimann

(he, him)

Member
Fort Collins

Nicholas earned his Master of Public Health degree from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2015 and maintains interests in environmental health, health impacts of our built environments, and the sense of belonging and social capital developed through the arts and culture. Since then, he has engaged in work related to equitable community engagement and community building, mentors public health and other students and young professionals, and aims to contribute further to reducing disparities in our Colorado communities. Nicholas is passionate about the people who make up our communities and co-creating ways to support their priorities.

 

Jose Vasquez

Jose L. Vasquez, Esq.

(he, him)

Member
Colorado Legal Services
Denver

Jose L. Vasquez is the Supervising Attorney of the Consumer Law Unit in the Denver office of Colorado Legal Services (CLS), where he specializes in consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure/homeownership defense. He also oversees the Foreclosure Project, funded by the payment of mortgage settlement funds, which employs attorneys within CLS to provide foreclosure assistances to clients on a statewide basis. Prior to joining Colorado Legal Services, Mr. Vasquez was in private practice where he focused on consumer bankruptcy representation as well as serving as a Staff Attorney to a Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee. Mr. Vasquez has been a speaker on various housing and consumer rights topics at numerous conferences, seminars and events. He received his B.A. from Miami University in 1988 and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1991. Mr. Vasquez is a member of the Colorado Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, and previously Chair of the Council of Advisors on Consumer Credit with the State of Colorado.

 

HEALTH:
HEALTH FIRST COLORADO (MEDICAID)

Health First Colorado is the name given to Colorado’s Medicaid program. Medicaid provides public, low-cost health insurance to qualifying adults and children. It is an entitlement program funded by the federal, state, and county governments and is administered by counties in Colorado. Those who are required to pay must pay a small co-pay when receiving certain health care services.

State Department: Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Eligibility: Most adults 18 to 64 are eligible for Medicaid in Colorado if their household income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty limit (FPL). Pregnant women are eligible with incomes of up to 195% FPL, while children under 18 may be eligible if the live in a household with income at or below 142% FPL. Some adults over 65 may also be eligible for Medicaid.

Program Benefits: Through Medicaid, low-income Coloradans are eligible for a range of health care services at little to not cost. Services provided include doctors visits, prescription drugs, mental health services, and dental care. Co-pays for certain individuals may be needed for certain services.

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds our Medicaid program through state and federal dollars. Medicaid is an entitlement program, which means that all who are eligible for Medicaid can access the program, regardless of the funding level in a given year. This does not mean that it is always easy to access Medicaid, even when eligible. And since the program is administered by counties, funding levels for county staff and other administrative roles can make it easier or harder for Coloradans to access the program. On top of this, not all medical providers accept Medicaid which limits the ability of Coloradans to seek health services even if enrolled, such as if the nearest provider is a 2+ hour drive away.

Note: This data is from before the pandemic and does not reflect changes in enrollment rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 89.0% of the population at or below 133% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for Medicaid) were enrolled in Medicaid in Colorado.

FOOD SECURITY:
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP helps low-income Coloradans purchase food by providing individuals and families with a monthly cash benefit that can be used to buy certain foods. SNAP is an entitlement program that is funded by the federal and state governments and administered by counties in Colorado.

State Department: Department of Human Services

Eligibility: Currently, Coloradans qualify for SNAP if they have incomes below 200% FPL, are unemployed or work part-time or receive other forms of assistance such as TANF, among other eligibility criteria. Income eligibility for SNAP was different during the study period of this report than today—it was 130% FPL back in 2019 for example. The US Department of Agriculture uses the population at or below 125% FPL when calculating the Program Access Index (or PAI) for SNAP. We follow this practice in our analysis despite Colorado currently having a higher income eligibility threshold.

Program Benefits: SNAP participants receive a monthly SNAP benefit that is determined by the number of people in their household and their income. Benefit amounts decrease as income increases, helping households avoid a sudden loss of SNAP when their incomes increase, even by a minor amount. Benefits are provided to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used to purchase eligible food items, such as fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; and breads and cereals. Other items, such as foods that are hot at their point of sale, are not allowable purchases under current SNAP rules.

Program Funding and Access: SNAP, like Medicaid, is a federal entitlement program. This means that Colorado must serve any Coloradan who is eligible for the program. As such, funding should not be a limit to how many Coloradans can be served by the program. However, funding for administration of SNAP at the state and county level can limit the ability of county human service departments to enroll those who are eligible. Other program rules and administrative barriers can make it difficult for Coloradans to receive the benefits they are legally entitled to receive.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 61.1% of the population at or below 125% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for SNAP) were enrolled.

FOOD SECURITY:
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also know as WIC, provides healthcare and nutritional support to low-income Coloradans who are pregnant, recently pregnant, breastfeeding, and to children under 5 who are nutritionally at risk based on a nutrition assessment.

State Department: Department of Public Health and Environment

Eligibility: To participate in WIC you must be pregnant, pregnant in the last six months, breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age, or a child under the age of 5. Coloradans do not need to be U.S. citizens to be eligible for WIC. In terms of income, households cannot have incomes that exceed 185% FPL. Families who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Medicaid are automatically eligible for WIC. Regardless of gender, any parents, foster parents, or caregivers are able to apply for and use WIC services for eligible children.

Program Benefits: WIC provides a range of services to young children and their parents. These include funds to purchase healthy, fresh foods; breastfeeding support; personalized nutrition education and shopping tips; and referrals to health care and other services participants may be eligible for.

Program Funding and Access: WIC is funded by the US Department of Agriculture. The state uses these federal funds to contract with local providers, known as WIC Clinics. In most cases, these are county public health agencies, but that is not the case in all Colorado counties. Some WIC Clinics cover multiple counties, while others are served by multiple clinics. Private non-profit providers are also eligible to be selected as a WIC Clinic.

Statewide Program Access 2015-17: Between 2015 and 2017, an average of 52.2% of the population eligible for WIC were enrolled in the program in Colorado.

Financial Security:
Colorado Works

Colorado Works is the name given to Colorado’s program for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF. It is an employment program that supports families with dependent children on their path to self-sufficiency. Participants can receive cash assistance, schooling, workforce development and skills training depending on the services available in their county.

State Department: Department of Human Services

Eligibility: In general, Coloradans are eligible to enroll in TANF if they are a resident of Colorado, have one or more children under the age of 18 or pregnant, and have very low or no income. For example, to be eligible to receive a basic cash assistance grant through TANF, a single-parent of one child could not earn more than $331 per month, with some exclusions—and would only receive $440 per month (as of 2022). That said, there are other services provided by counties through TANF that those with incomes as high as $75,000 may be eligible for. In addition to these, participants in TANF are required to work or be pursuing an eligible “work activity” or work-related activity. Any eligible individual can only receive assistance if they have not previously been enrolled in TANF for a cumulative amount of time of more than 60 months—this is a lifetime limit that does not reset. Counties may have additional requirements and offer benefits that are not available in other counties in Colorado.

Program Benefits:  While the exact benefits that one is eligible for under TANF can vary, all qualified participants are eligible to receive a monthly cash payment, call basic cash assistance. Other than cash assistance, counties are have a lot of choice in how to use their TANF funding; generally a use of TANF funds is appropriate so long as it advances one or more of the four purposes of the program: (1) provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of their relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy families on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

It is important to note that those eligible for TANF are also eligible for many of the other programs we’ve included in this report, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and CCCAP.

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds its TANF program through funds received from the federal government through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. Most of the federal funds are allocated by the state to counties, which are required to provide a 20% match of state funding. Federal and state rules allow the state and counties to retain a portion of unspent funds in a TANF reserve.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 50.7% of the population at or below 100% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for TANF) were enrolled in TANF in Colorado.

EARLY LEARNING:
COLORADO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CCCAP)

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program provides child care assistance to low-income families and caregivers living in Colorado in the form of reduced payments for child care. It is a program funded by the federal, state, and county governments and is administered by counties in Colorado. The share owed by parents/caregivers is determined on a sliding scale based on the family’s income.

State Department: Department of Early Childhood Education

Eligibility: Counties set eligibility for families separately, but must serve families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit. Families accepted to the program are no longer eligible once their income exceeds 85% of the state median income. Parents or caregivers must be employed, searching for work, or engaged in another approved activity to be eligible for CCCAP. Parents and caregivers enrolled in Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF) or in the child welfare system are also eligible to participate in CCCAP. Generally, CCCAP serves families with children under 13, although children as old as 19 may be eligible under certain circumstances.

Program Benefits: If a family is eligible for CCCAP and has income, they may likely have to pay a portion of their child’s or children’s child care costs each month. The amount that families owe is based on their gross income, number of household members, and the number of children in child care in the household. As such, households tend not to experience a benefit cliff with CCCAP when they see their incomes increase

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds the CCCAP program using federal dollars it receives from the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. The state allocates federal and state funds to counties using a formula that takes into account factors like current caseloads and the number of eligible residents. Assistance is available until the county’s funds are spent, so the number of families that can be served is often a function of how much funding is available and the income and composition of the household that applies. It is not uncommon for counties to overspend or underspend their allocations of funds. The state reallocates unspent funds from counties who underspent to those who overspent. While underspending could indicate a problem with the way a county administers its CCCAP program, it could just as likely be a sign that there are few providers in the county who participate in CCCAP—or a lack of providers generally.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 10.8% of the population at or below 165% of FPL and younger than age 13 (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for CCCAP) were enrolled in CCCAP.

Housing:
HUD rental assistance programs

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has three housing assistance programs that we look at together: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Project-based Section 8, and Public Housing. In Colorado, these programs provided assistance to over 90% of the households who received federal housing assistance from all HUD programs. Through federally funded, local or regional public housing agencies (PHAs) are the agencies that administer these programs, through not all are available in all counties. These are not the only programs available in Colorado that assist households afford the cost of housing, such as units funded through federal and state tax credit programs.

State Department: Department of Local Affairs

Eligibility: Generally, households with incomes under 50% of the area median income (AMI) of the county they live in are eligible for these rental assistance programs, although PHAs have discretion to select households with incomes at higher percentages of AMI. That said, HUD requires that 75% of new vouchers issued through the Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program in a given year are targeted to households with incomes at or below 30% of AMI. PHAs are also able to create criteria that give priority to certain types of households who are on waiting lists for these programs.

Program Benefits: These rental assistance programs help households afford the cost of housing by reducing their housing costs to around 30% of their household income. In the case of the Housing Choice Voucher program, the PHA pays the voucher holder’s landlord the remaining portion of the rent.

Program Funding and Access: Funding and access are both challenges for these rental assistance programs. In addition to limitations on the number of public housing units or housing vouchers a PHA can manage or issue, lack of funding compared to the need constrains the ability of PHAs to assist low-income households. In 2020, Coloradans were on waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers for an average of 17 months. Waitlists also exist for the other rental assistance programs.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 21.1% of renter households with incomes at or below 50% AMI (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for HUD rental assistance programs) were living in subsidized housing.