In the heartland of Colorado, nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of nature, lies the Colorado Rainbow Collective—a sanctuary of hope and empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community. For three years, this special community has been like a cozy home for us, providing a safe place to live and helping over a dozen individuals become independent and live a fulfilling life.

Our mission is to help LGBTQ+ people by offering low-cost housing. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to build a strong and successful life. We focus on important things like mental health, sustainable living, and being part of a caring community.

We think that having a stable place to live is the first step for LGBTQ+ folks who need help. So, we also provide mental health resources to help them feel good about themselves and find the support they need to thrive

We have built an intentional community to rebuild the social networks that many LGBTQ+ folks have lost, teaching one another how to love ourselves in the face of adversity. Our organization is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive community where all individuals can feel valued, respected, and empowered.

But on June 22nd when an devastating flood tore through our home, it left a path of destruction. We are calling upon our greater community & allies to rally together and help us to continue to serve the community.

We need your support.

Whatever you can give, we appreciate you and the support for our mission to support LGBTQ+ people in building a strong foundation for an independent life where they can thrive.

Monetary Donations: Please consider donating any amount you can. Every contribution makes a difference even $20. We estimate the damages to be over $100,000 and every contribution makes a difference in the lives of the 11 people currently living at CRC.

Time: We welcome volunteers to join us for work days from June 24th to July 2nd. Your physical presence and support are invaluable. Please email Ash@liberatedbydesign.com if you would like to help.

Resources: If you have spare items such as personal and home goods, bedroom furniture, washer, dryer, tools, tractors, or farm equipment, we gratefully accept them as donations. Please email Ash@liberatedbydesign.com so we can arrange a donation drop.

Network: Spread the word and share this request with your network. Help us reach individuals who may have the time or resources to contribute.

Energy: Send us your love and write notes of appreciation and gratitude for our volunteers and community members. You can email them directly to Ash@liberatedbydesign.com

Our Leadership Team:

Teagan (she/her), a veteran of 18 years in the Navy, knew the true essence of service to her community. Her experiences instilled in her a profound understanding of the importance of community. However, as she embarked on her own journey of self-discovery and transition, she witnessed the heartbreaking reality: LGBTQ+ individuals often found themselves without the very support systems they so desperately needed. It was then that Teagan realized the transformative potential of just $500 a month—a sum that could bridge the chasm between struggle and empowerment. She made a vow that: If she ever had the means, she would find a way to uplift and support her fellow LGBTQ+ community members.

After completing her degree and starting a career in technology, Teagan's path led her to an extraordinary opportunity—a 10-acre plot of land with a beautiful home perfect for a community. Little did she know, that her vision would lay the groundwork for building something beyond imagining, a sanctuary community for LGBTQ+ folks in a moment when it is desperately needed.

Ash (they/them), who bravely embraced their nonbinary identity over two decades ago, yearned for a world where they could freely be their authentic selves. So Ash decided to make that world possible by becoming a public school teacher. Determined to support the next generation to live in a world where acceptance & inclusion was the norm for all people. For over a decade Ash has lead systemic change, leading the charge for diversity & inclusivity at school districts across the country.

When the universe brought Teagan and Ash together. Teagan had already started creating a community, offering affordable housing to LGBTQ+ people. Ash had the leadership skills and knowledge to turn Teagan's foundation into something much larger.

Together, they combined their strengths to form the team that was capable of exponentially increasing the impact of the Colorado Rainbow Collective. Together forming a formidable alliance grounded in sustainability, resilience, and a vision of inclusion for all people.

United by a resolute belief that financial stability alone cannot suffice, Ash and Teagan recognized the profound need for holistic support—a tapestry woven from the threads of social connection, stable housing, and mental health healing. Their unwavering commitment to empowering LGBTQ+ individuals to break free from adversity and live a life where they are able to thrive.

At our cooperative, LGBTQ+ folks find more than just a roof over their heads. They find a group of people who care and support each other on their journey. We support with employment, legal, medical connections and continuing education opportunities.

But this most recent tragedy could keep us from continuing to do this work.

The Flood:

On June 22nd, everything changed. Weeks of nonstop rain had soaked the ground, and the nearby stream swelled. The raging torrent, breaching its banks and engulfing everything in its path.

The floodwaters spared nothing, flooding our barn, chicken coop, workshop, garage, and even the basement of our cherished communal house.

Our barn was submerged under almost two feet of water. It was a heartbreaking sight to see, covered in mud and debris.

The floodwaters also entered our chicken coop, endangering our feathered friends. We have managed to move them to safety inside the house, the damage is done and must be repaired before they can move back to their proper home.

Our workshop, a place of creativity and productivity, bore the full brunt of the flood's fury. It was completely destroyed, leaving our tools and materials damaged.

But the devastation did not stop there. The floodwaters seeped into the very foundation of our communal home, filling the basement with water.

It rose over a foot. The once cozy living space now marred by ruined drywall, washer and dryer, and a compromised electrical system.

Our community member, Carrie, bore the weight of an unimaginable loss—her lifetime of personal belongings destroyed by the floodwaters.

In the face of adversity, the bonds within our community only grew stronger. We drew strength from each other, sharing our fears and hopes, offering solace and support amidst the chaos.

Our journey towards recovery is going to be arduous, as our insurance will not cover this natural disaster incident.

We have realized it will take more support to rebuild then our small community can provide. In order to recover and continue our work of transforming the lives of hundreds of LGBTQ+ folks we need our larger community to rally around us.

Our first steps in the journey of rebuilding are marked by clearing debris and trash left in the wake of the flood. We are calling for the support of volunteers from our community and allies.

The Call for Support:

We need your help with cleaning up the ravaged landscape and home, and to restore our barn and sanctuary for our beloved animals. From June 24th through July 3rd, we will be hosting work days. Come to support our cleanup efforts. No special skills are needed, just your heart and strength to restore our land to its former glory.

But the true challenge lies in salvaging what remains and restoring our cooperative so that we can continue our work. Throughout this journey, the generosity of our supporters and donors will play a pivotal role.

Please donate in any way you can:

Monetary Donations: Please consider donating any amount you can. Every contribution makes a difference even $20. We estimate the damages to be over $100,000 and every contribution makes a difference in the lives of the 11 people currently living at CRC.

Time: We welcome volunteers to join us for work days from June 24th to July 2nd. Your physical presence and support are invaluable. Please email Ash@liberatedbydesign.com if you would like to help.

Resources: If you have spare items such as personal and home goods, bedroom furniture, washer, dryer, tools, tractors, or farm equipment, we gratefully accept them as donations. Please email Ash@liberatedbydesign.com so we can arrange a donation drop.

Network: Spread the word and share this request with your network. Help us reach individuals who may have the time or resources to contribute.

Energy: Send us your love and write notes of appreciation and gratitude for our volunteers and community members. You can email them directly to Ash@liberatedbydesign.com

Whatever you can give, we appreciate you and the support for our mission to support LGBTQ+ people in building a strong foundation for an independent life where they can thrive.

Together, we will rebuild, and together, we will restore hope and resilience to our community. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Colorado Rainbow Collective Flood Recovery

Team Members