Growing up as the son of an Air Force pilot, Matt Nuñez spent his early years moving between places and experiencing different cultures. From living in Germany to spending his adolescence near Washington, D.C., Matt’s life included diverse perspectives. Yet, Colorado remained close to his heart—a place of family roots and a future to which he planned to return. “My parents always talked about moving back here when my dad retired from the Air Force, and I had it in my mind that I would end up back here as well,” Matt recalls.
After earning a degree in global studies with aspirations to work in international development, Matt shifted his focus to economic development closer to home. Returning to Colorado, he found a calling in serving communities through strategic leadership, starting with a fellowship at the El Pomar Foundation. This opened opportunities to support economic transitions in rural areas affected by industry closures, including managing federal grants for those efforts.
In 2019, Matt became the first dedicated Economic Development staff member for Glenwood Springs, where he worked through the challenges of the pandemic alongside local businesses. Now based in Colorado Springs, Matt works in the state’s outdoor recreation industry office under the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. His efforts focus on projects that strengthen Colorado’s recreation economy by using federal funds to create jobs and develop trails that connect underserved communities to nature.
Matt’s work is shaped by the different realities faced by popular tourist destinations and smaller rural communities. “The outdoor industry is one of Colorado’s largest, and I hope for a more equitable playing field for communities across the state,” Matt says.
Mountain towns and resort areas often face high visitor demand that strains infrastructure, crowds trails, and raises living costs for residents. Meanwhile, many rural communities nearby want to attract visitors and bring economic opportunities but struggle to gain attention and investment.
Matt helps these communities plan for growth that respects quality of life while expanding opportunities. He supports projects from trail development to workforce training that promote an outdoor economy benefiting both well-known destinations and underserved rural areas. His approach aims to extend the positive effects of Colorado’s outdoor industry throughout the state, building resilient communities connected by their natural heritage and shared goals.
Matt’s leadership development has been shaped by both the El Pomar Fellowship and Boettcher’s Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship. Reflecting on these experiences, he says, “Those programs helped me gain confidence, professionalism, and a larger leadership perspective.” Of his Boettcher Fellowship cohort, Matt adds, “One of the most valuable parts of the experience has been the community we built. The friendships and ongoing support among Fellows is something I truly treasure.” About coaching through the Fellowship, he says, “What was really powerful was not being told what to do, but being empowered to make decisions for myself and discover my own path. Leadership is an evolving journey.”
Matt is also a nature photographer with over ten years of experience. His work captures Colorado’s landscapes and even appears on the back of Colorado driver’s license. You can view his portfolio at mattnunezphotos.com. With a professional development award from the Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship, he is advancing his craft through mentorship and new equipment. “Photography allows me to share Colorado’s beauty and inspire others to care for these landscapes,” he says. “It’s a balance between my career and my personal passion that feels special.”
For emerging leaders, Matt offers this advice: “You can make change in your community regardless of the sector you work in, government, nonprofit, or private.” He encourages embracing different paths to leadership and valuing the relationships formed along the way: “The friendships, partnerships, and experiences you gain make the journey valuable.”
Matt Nuñez represents a leader whose work and passions connect people, place, and opportunity within Colorado’s economic landscape.
That’s the spirit of Boettcher.
