Outreach Community Connectors

Outreach Community Connectors (OCC) are a group of neighborhood leaders who work to share important information and resources with their networks of connections (friends, family, neighbors, etc.). They help amplify information to community members who are not as involved in their local government, highlighting all the engagement opportunities and beneficial resources and programs from the city and partner organizations.

Outreach Connectors also support city staff by providing brief consultations and are working to assist staff in creating best practices for successful and inclusive outreach in 2026.

The city is committed to advancing its Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience Framework and Racial Equity Plan by ensuring that people who have historically been excluded can participate in important local decisions. Effective engagement requires strong outreach, which is not possible without community involvement.

The Outreach Community Connectors program helps address this challenge. Community leaders from across Boulder will work within their own neighborhoods to encourage involvement, strengthen connections, and support a greater sense of belonging.

The program will run from 2025 through 2026 and is funded by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.

Sarah Malin

My name is Sarah, and I was born here in Boulder, but moved to Connecticut when I was a baby and came back in 2012. I recently graduated from the Boulder Valley School District’s Transitions Program, which is a program for young adults 18-21 who have an Individualized Education Program, and are moving toward living independently and joining the workforce. I am now a student at Regis Jesuit University. I hope to be a Physical Therapy Technician Assistant working in communication with people with disabilities, or a Preschool Teacher. The disability community is a big part of my life, and accessibility for people with visible and invisible disability is very important to me.

In my free time, I like spending time with friends and working out. I have participated in Special Olympics swimming, skiing and gymnastics. I also participate in the BPR EXPAND program, part of a running team. I live cooking, theater, and singing.

Kathy Schlereth

I am an outreach community connector with the City of Boulder. What I love about boulder is the mountains and the fall Colorado that both change daily. I am proud to be a part of the Ponderosa mobile home park to which I am the secretary of the HOA, in CMOB and the 9-5 organization

I am also the vice women’s division leader of the Soka Gacki International Buddhist in the U.S.

Adriana Paola Palacios Luna

I am an OCC with the City of Boulder government. What I love about Boulder - beyond its natural beauty - is the possibility of connection, community collaboration, and the dream of collective utopias. I am proud to be a Mexican mestiza woman, the founder of Luna Cultura, a small business, and Luna Madre, a nonprofit organization.

Both as a community connector and through my personal and professional practice, I am committed to walking alongside the community to advance social and environmental justice. I am a mother of three and a lover of art, science, and culture.

Paras Lamsal

I am Paras Lamsal and I have been here in Boulder since 2008. I am working as a community connector with the City of Boulder. I love to engage with community as well as my neighborhood community. Personally, I love to hike and birdwatching. My professional field is biology. I am working with Parks and Open Space as a project connector as well.

Lorena Zavala

My name is Lorena Zavala. I am a Community Outreach Connector with the City of Boulder government and a health promoter and diabetes specialist with Centro Amistad since 2016. I am originally from Zacatecas, Mexico. What I love about Boulder are the mountains, all the open spaces, and the opportunity to work for my community. I am the mother of three beautiful daughters.

Leticia “Letty” Garcia

My name is Leticia Garcia, and I’m from Mexico City, where I graduated with a degree in general nursing from UNAM. I enjoy doing Zumba, making desserts - especially gelatin - and watching movies with my family.

I have been working at Centro Amistad since 2016 as a health promoter and diabetes specialist. In 2019, I began my work as a Community Outreach Connector with the City of Boulder government. I consistently strive to deliver my best work in service to the community.

Margarita Estrada Escobedo

I am a Community Outreach Connector with the City of Boulder government. What I love about Boulder is the peacefulness of life here, and the city is beautiful. I am proud to be part of the Latino community. Boulder has been my home since 2009. I am a mother and a wife. I love Boulder because it welcomed me with open arms.

Carlos Valdez

My name is Carlos. I am a Community Outreach Connector and also a Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Boulder. I am from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. I reside in the Ponderosa community and have been collaborating with the community and the City of Boulder since 2017. I also collaborate with organizations such as 9to5, COFHA, and C-MOB.

I have had many pleasant moments and satisfactions during this time, and I have enjoyed all the work I have done. Living in Boulder is nice because you can do many things, such as walking, biking, and getting around wherever you want on public transportation and more. I am grateful for all that I have experienced.

Lenora Cooper

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