DENVER, August 13, 2026 — The Boettcher Foundation today announced the 15 Colorado leaders selected for its 2026 Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship, a nine-month leadership program designed to strengthen and connect community champions from across the state.
Now in its sixth year, the fellowship invests in formal and informal leaders who are already making a difference where they live and work, with an emphasis on leaders serving rural Colorado. Fellows are trusted community members who bring people together, find creative solutions to local challenges, and strengthen the networks that help their communities thrive.
Through in-person retreats, cohort learning, individualized professional coaching and financial support for continued development, the fellowship helps participants deepen their leadership, expand their networks, and increase their impact locally.
“Colorado’s communities are full of extraordinary leaders who may not have a formal title or a traditional path to leadership but are the people others trust to step up, bring people together, and get things done,” said Vanessa Roman, director of scholarships & foundation programs. “These 15 Fellows are already creating meaningful change in their communities. Our role is to invest in their continued growth by providing the relationships, resources, and space they need to extend their impact across Colorado.”
Selected through a competitive process that drew more than 100 applicants, the 2026 Fellows represent communities and regions across Colorado and bring experience spanning economic development, nonprofits, education, entrepreneurship, and local government.
While their backgrounds and communities differ, the Fellows share a deep commitment to the places they call home and a demonstrated ability to turn that commitment into action. As a cohort, they will learn from one another, strengthen their leadership capabilities and build relationships that extend well beyond the nine-month fellowship.
About the Boettcher Foundation
We believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day, we build up and connect doers and difference makers from across the state, working to elevate people, programs and organizations. By investing in Colorado leaders, we provide a foundation for transformational impact and community building across Colorado.
