Mile High Magazine Podcast

Guest: Wendy Loloff Cooper CEO

Generation Schools Network helps students prepare for college and careers, offering unique experiences and organizing events like Entrepreneurship Fairs. An upcoming fair on April 30th at Wiggins High School, along with mini fairs in Aurora and Colorado Springs, engages students by providing feedback on their business plans. The organization also addresses bullying by teaching that it’s unacceptable and exploring underlying causes, often providing support with social or communication skills.

https://www.generationschools.org/

Guest: Cheryl Talley

April is National Organ Donor Awareness Month. With over 1,400 persons in the state awaiting one of eight organs, it is a good time to separate fact from fiction regarding organ donation and encourage listeners to consider becoming donors.

https://www.donoralliance.org/

Guest: Shelby Mattingly CEO

Denver’s Early Childhood Council is dedicated to strengthening the childcare system, recognizing that childcare is not only essential for children’s healthy development but also a cornerstone of a thriving workforce. They ensure families have access to quality childcare, collaborate with partners to provide health and mental health support, and focus on early development. Their efforts include supporting existing childcare programs, training early childhood professionals, building referral networks, and connecting children to developmental resources. By nurturing a robust childcare system, they help lay the foundation for both the well-being of children and the sustainability of the workforce.

https://denverearlychildhood.org/ 

Guest: Cheryl Talley

April is National Organ Donor Awareness Month. With over 1,400 persons in the state awaiting one of eight organs, it is a good time to separate fact from fiction regarding organ donation and encourage listeners to consider becoming donors.

https://www.donoralliance.org/

The Colorado Lottery is committed to giving back, with funds supporting the state’s beautiful outdoor spaces. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of players’ well-being. While lottery games can be a source of enjoyment, it’s vital to play responsibly and recognize signs like stress, strained relationships, or dishonesty about time or money spent. Colorado offers various resources to support those struggling, including tools on the lottery’s website. As a leader in player safety, the Colorado Lottery was one of the first to implement age verification on vending machines, ensuring responsible gaming. Together, we can enjoy these games while prioritizing health and happiness—because a little play can go a long way when it’s done right!

https://www.coloradolottery.com/

Guest: Deborah Richardson Executive Director

In the mission statement of the ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union, you will find these words. We are there for you, rich or poor, straight or gay, black or white, or brown, urban or rural, pious or atheist, American born or foreign born, able bodied, or living with a disability, every person in the country should have the same basic rights.  The ACLU identifies itself as the nation's preeminent public interest law firm, an organization that is not anti-anything.  Their fight is taking on attempts to take away or to limit your civil liberties.

https://www.aclu.org/

Guest: Lauren Abram, Forestry Program Coordinator and Doug Schoch, Forestry Supervisor

Trees enhance livability in our city and have a lot of benefits.  They provide shade, reduce stormwater runoff, they provide wildlife habitat, reduce energy costs, and even reduce the heat island effect.  The Office of the City Forester plants between 1200 and 1300 trees a year.  The goals the BASA program are to enhance livability by increasing Denver's tree canopy and by improving and expanding the diversity of our urban forests.  To apply to have trees planted at your house and you live in the city and County of Denver, you only need to fill out an application.       

beasmartash.org

Guest: Dr. Premilla Banwait OD MPH FAAO, vice president of clinical programs, UnitedHealthcare Vision 

Diabetes, a chronic disease caused by high blood sugar, is rising among young people, especially Type 2, which is linked to poor diet and inactivity. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage small blood vessels, leading to complications like blindness. Managing it involves eating fresh, home-cooked meals, staying active, and incorporating vegetables and fruits into your diet.

Diabetes.org

https://preventblindness.org/

Guest: Nancy McKay Founder, Life Coach, EQUIS coach, Master Facilitator, SHE Recovers Coach

Nancy helps women who are seeking recovery from whatever life has thrown their way and she uses horses to help her with this therapy.  Horses are great therapists. Their calm demeanor and giant stature have helped people overcome addiction, grief and even emotional trauma. Horses can sense conflict and with the guided help of life coach, Nancy McKay, women are finding a new life.  Nancy is herself, a survivor on many levels, from cancer to addiction, Nancy has battled it all at every age stage of her life.  It's never too late to do anything.

https://www.womenempoweredrecovery.com/

Guest: Former Mayor Michael Hancock

After leaving office, Mayor Hancock took himself on an almost bucket list in quotes tour of the American South to the heritage sites and museums that he had little time to explore while in office. This profound journey led him to establish a foundation to do the same for youth to protect African American history. While shaping and developing them to become the next generation of community leaders.

https://www.hancock-foundation.org/

Guest:  Dr. Hans Elzinga Director of Special Procedures at Salud Family Health Clinic

March is Colorectal cancer awareness month, colorectal cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer death in men and women combined.  A lot of risk factors for colon cancer are related to lifestyle, major risk factors include obesity, diabetes, eating a diet that's high in red meat or processed meat, smoking and significant alcohol intake.  If you were born in 1990. Your risk of getting colon cancer is 4 times higher than if you were born in 1950.  It's estimated that if they do sixty test, they can save one life.  If you're 45 or older, please talk to your doctor about getting a colorectal cancer screening.    

cancer.org/colon

Guest: Isabel Dickson CDPHE Mobility Program Manager

The new Colorado Family Affordability Tax Credit can help families with costs for clothing, food, child care, etc up to $6,400. Through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, their outreaches Get Ahead Colorado and Hacia Adelante, Coloradans can obtain details and how to receive free filing assistance.

https://www.getaheadcolorado.org/

Guest:  Lydia Rhino Program Director

Eating Disorder Awareness Week starts on February 24th. The Eating Disorder Foundation, founded in 2003, offers support to those affected by eating disorders, as well as their families and friends. Eating disorders thrive in silence and can affect anyone, regardless of size, shape, age, ethnicity, or ability. It's important to be mindful, check in with ourselves, and observe how we engage with our bodies and self-talk. The Eating Disorder Foundation provides various support groups and a mentorship program that pairs individuals with lived experience and recovery to those seeking help.

https://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/

Guest: Isabel Dickson CDPHE Mobility Program Manager

The new Colorado Family Affordability Tax Credit can help families with costs for clothing, food, child care, etc up to $6,400. Through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, their outreaches Get Ahead Colorado and Hacia Adelante, Coloradans can obtain details and how to receive free filing assistance.

https://www.getaheadcolorado.org/

Guest:  Paige Piper, MBA Executive Director

Localworks helps and supports the city of Wheat Ridge to create the economic development and community development.  They are part of citizen engagement and community events.  One of the largest projects that Localworks recently completed in its organizations' history is Clear Creek Makerspace.  They have 3D printers, laser engravers, sewing stations, wood shop and metal shop.  People can come in and take classes on how to use the equipment.  You do not need to live in Wheat Ridge to come take classes.  Once a month Localworks host a Live Local event, they go to a business in Wheat Ridge with the goal to bring residents into the business to help with local economics.  Localworks wants people to know, there is always a place for you in the community if you live in Wheat Ridge or somewhere else.    

https://wearelocalworks.org/

Guest: Paula Schriefer President & CEO

“Colorado Welcome Back” is a program of the Spring Institute which supports internationally trained American health workers and health care providers. It is one of numerous outreaches for the organization that has been the leading language translation service for business, education organizations and government in Colorado for the last 20 years. They are also leaders supporting legal immigration and rights of naturalized citizens.

https://springinstitute.org/colorado-welcome-back/

Guest:  Laura Crowley Executive Director

Angel Eyes provides free grief counseling to families who have lost an infant or a toddler to unexpected death including still born or miscarriage.  Families are offered 12 sessions with a professional grief counselor.  Angel Eyes also provides group sessions.  Angel Eyes offers sibling counseling for children from 3-18 and they also offer counseling for the family unit together.  Angel Eyes holds four major events throughout the year to help raise money and a way of families to come together to heal.  On March 1^st at Wings Over the Rockies if their first event of the year called Suds for SIDS.  The event includes a silent auction, games prizes, there will be 19 breweries, 4 wineries, tasting with restaurants, plus you get to tour the museum.      

Angeleyes.org

Guest:  Kelli Melissa Reinhardt Founder of Make Mental Health Matter, and Nikki Brooker Founder of YANA

Make Mental Health Matter educates people about mental health and suicide prevention.  They offer the program to people of all ages. YANA (You Are Not Alone) is a non-profit that supports mom with mental health.  They have a program that gives new moms wrap around support for a year for free.   Make Mental Health Matter and YANA have partnered with YANA to put on Rock Your Wellness is a Wellness Expo.   The event February 22, 2025, at The Village Work, Wellness & Event Center from 11am-3pm.  There will be vendors including crafts, silent disco, live music, food trucks, mini-workshops, blood drive, pet adoption, dance movement classes, trauma informed yoga, Fit for Mom classes, family fun and so much more.

www.rockyourwellness.org

makementalhealthmatter.org

yanamom.com

Guest:  Dr. Joseph Silva

 in the state of Colorado, there are 22,000 Justice Engaged Students.  These are students that might homeless, students that might be on truancy, (those that have been charged with different types of varying crimes).  A Justice Engaged Student is someone that between the age of 14 and 18 that has engaged in the justice system in a negative way or in a way that has created a deficit that then impacts their ability to finish high school.  Justice Engaged Students helps to ensure their pathway to high school graduation.  They have a 90% graduation rate of students that we've worked with to graduate.  The Justice Engaged Students will have a hotline starting later this year.  The hotline is for anybody to call and get resources and to understand the legislation and the laws and more so the constitutional rights of a student to be educated in the state of Colorado.  It’s about one student, one student at a time.

justiceengagestudents.org

Guest: Paula Schriefer President & CEO

“Colorado Welcome Back” is a program of the Spring Institute which supports internationally trained American health workers and health care providers. It is one of numerous outreaches for the organization that has been the leading language translation service for business, education organizations and government in Colorado for the last 20 years. They are also leaders supporting legal immigration and rights of naturalized citizens.

https://springinstitute.org/colorado-welcome-back/

Guest: Dr. Hans Elzinga, Volunteer, Director of Special Procedures Clinic, Salud Family Health

In January, the American Cancer Society released its 2025 Cancer Facts & Figures report, the report is an update that shows trends with cancer diagnoses and deaths, the report also showed statistics of what is happening in Colorado.  In Colorado, there will be an estimated 29,020 new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2025 and an estimated 8,620 deaths.  Cancer is still more common in men then women but there has been a shift in women 50-64.  Colorectal cancer in men and women under 65 have increased.  Doctors are still not sure why the rates are going up in some cancers.  Early detection or prevention screenings are key.  Know your family history of cancer, it can make a big difference in your overall health.    

https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/colorado.html   

Guest: Heather Burke, spokesperson for Donor Alliance and Niki Kigerl, Teacher from Eaglecrest High School

Donor Alliance’s Community of Excellence Award is presented each year to individuals or organizations in Colorado and Wyoming who go above and beyond to educate and inspire others about the importance of organ and tissue donation.  This year’s recipient is Niki Kigerl, her son was born with a rare liver disease and will eventually need a transplant, so she knows firsthand the importance of organ and tissue donation.  Donor Alliance’s Transplantation Science Program gives students an interactive look at the science behind organ and tissue donation.  Transplantation Science Program is offered in two languages in schools throughout Colorado and Wyoming.      

DonorAlliance.org

Guest:  Kristen Tonevero Cardiologist with Intermountain Health  

February is American Heart Month, aiming to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. The American Heart Association encourages everyone to prioritize heart health through regular exercise and stress management. Heart disease encompasses various cardiovascular issues, with common forms including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Women and diabetics often experience atypical heart disease symptoms, making early detection and attention to heart health crucial.  Don't ignore your symptoms, we didn't get here overnight so don't expect to change it overnight.

heart.org