About Colorado CASA

CASA organizations in Colorado are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. This network of 18 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs works to ensure that every child has a voice in the Colorado court system. CASA volunteers are trained and supported to advocate for the best interests of children.

CASA volunteers are the heart of our mission. Appointed by family court judges, these community members stand up for children in Dependency and Neglect cases, many of whom are in foster care. CASA volunteers offer stability, compassion, and a consistent presence in the lives of the children they serve, often being one of the few constants during times of uncertainty and transition.

Colorado CASA is an independent 501(c)3 membership organization that provides support to all the CASA programs in the state. We have four strategic focuses: large-scale pass-through funding, brand awareness, data, and legislative action.

What CASAs Are Saying

  • Volunteer to 12 year old girl

    “

    In my role as a CASA, I have developed a truer and more meaningful relationship with the family I support than I have experienced in any previous volunteering role. I know that the work I am doing and the support I provide to the child on my case is creating an additional consistent presence in her life during this difficult time, and it absolutely keeps me going during the challenging elements of this work.

    ”

  • Volunteer to 6 year old boy

    "

    When I was a teenager my life was torn apart and I became involved in the foster system. Being a CASA gives me the ability to be the person I wish I had to guide, support, and inspire me to push on and help me keep a strong mindset. You can be that person for someone else and even though it can be hard it is so rewarding when you see how much you have helped.

    "

  • CASA advocate

    "

    Now, more so than ever, when we are bombarded with news of people not taking care of each other, I think it is important to do some good in the world. Small gestures make a big difference. It gives me a sense of fulfillment and reminds me that we can do good in the world if we want to.

    "

  • CASA of 7 year old girl

    "

    As a CASA, you develop a bond with the children and it becomes so intrinsic to your core that you want the best for them during this challenging time and for the rest of their lives.

    "

  • CASA Volunteer for infant girl

    "

    For 18 months, I feel that I have been the one constant in both the child’s and her mother’s lives. Her mother has gotten their GED, graduated from a Dental Asst. online school, gotten their driver’s license and all of their essential documents (birth certificate, S.S. card etc...), gotten multiple jobs, saved a sizeable amount of money, opened a certificate of deposit, and so on. I truly feel I have made a significant difference in both of their lives, which is very rewarding.

    "

Our Mission and Vision

Our mission is simple yet profound: to strengthen local CASA programs and advocate for children in the child welfare system. Our vision is for every child in Colorado to have a voice and a hopeful future. We believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment, and our volunteers work toward making this vision a reality.

Our Values

  • Children in Need Deserve a Voice

  • Data-Informed Advocacy

  • Diversity and Inclusion

  • Collaboration

These values guide everything we do, from supporting local CASA programs to engaging in legislative advocacy on behalf of Colorado's most vulnerable children.

Our History

Colorado CASA began as part of a national demonstration project in the early 1980s, partnering with the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center to find the best ways to advocate for children in court. The first CASA program in the state was established in 1984 in Larimer County, and by 1989, Colorado CASA had become the statewide coordinating agency for CASA programs. Today, the 18 local programs serve 18 of the state’s 22 judicial districts, helping to ensure that children across Colorado receive the support and advocacy they deserve.

Meet the Team

  • Alicia Economos

    CEO

    Alicia Economos has more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles in fundraising and strategic communications in the corporate, nonprofit and political sectors. Most recently, as director of development of Urban Peak, she led and oversaw a $39 million capital campaign and previously worked to improve K-12 public education at KIPP Colorado Schools and Democrats for Education Reform. Prior, Alicia worked for Univision Colorado, 9News and the Rocky Mountain News developing business and creating community partnerships. She is the former Board Chair of KIPP Colorado; served on the Mayoral appointed Denver Preschool Program Board, The Odyssey School Board and currently serves on the board of Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary. She is a Denver Public Schools graduate and received her B.A. from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Alicia has three daughters, ages 16, 19, and 21 and is married to Julian Rubinstein, Filmmaker and Journalist-in-Residence at Western Colorado University.

    Contact

  • Tisa Kunkee

    OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Tisa Kunkee started her journey with CASA in 2014 as a volunteer coordinator at a local organization and joined the Colorado CASA team in 2018. She continues to be inspired by all the work local organizations and their volunteers do for youth across the state, she is proud to be a part of this amazing CASA group. Tisa is Colorado born and raised, earned her B.S. in Sociology from CSU with a stint in Madagascar as a Peace Corps volunteer. In her free time, Tisa loves to craft, tend to her houseplants and experience all the journeys of life with her husband and three kids.

    Contact

  • Kelsey Fife Duarte

    DATA AND EVALUATION MANAGER

    Kelsey Fife Duarte enjoys applying her health promotions and data skills to help community partners understand data and make data-informed decisions. Her previous work experiences include: Professional Research Assistant for University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine, Adjunct Instructor at Colorado Mesa University, and Health Promotion Specialist on the Epidemiology team at Mesa County Public Health. Kelsey was involved in research projects related to the social determinants of health within primary care, treatment for opioid use disorder/dependence, and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. She has worked on projects improving community health through tobacco prevention and cessation, substance use and suicide prevention, and promoting the use of active transportation. She earned her MPH from the University of Arizona and her BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado Denver. Kelsey lives in Western Colorado with her husband, son, and 2 dogs.

    Contact

Board of Directors

Board Officers

  • Megan Kilpatrick, Chair 

    Kilpatrick, LLC 

  • Stacy Garmon, Interim Vice Chair 

    Castle Rock Chamber 

  • Robert Kuck, Interim Secretary 

    Trade Off Financial Corporation 

  • Annmarie Omilian, Treasurer 

    Trouvaille Consultants

Local Executive Directors

  • Alan Hallman 

    Northwest Rocky Mountain CASA 

  • Jen Ryan 

    CASA of Larimer County 

  • Karen Silverman 

    Child Advocates – Denver CASA

Members At-Large

  • Debi Grebenik 

    Alia 

  • Don Toussaint 

    Arapahoe County District Court

Join us in making a difference. Together, we can give Colorado’s most vulnerable children the voice they need.