Nicole Swaggerty

I grew up in Las Vegas, NV. Growing up in the casino industry, I was the first in my family to pivot towards higher education. I cautiously enrolled in a summer class at a local community college in Southern California and haven’t looked back since. I transferred from California to Boise, Idaho where I completed my undergraduate degree in Health Promotion (the degree program is now Health Sciences) and discovered the joys of outdoor recreation. I came to Colorado in 2009 to pursue my master’s degree in public health at Colorado State University, where I also served as the AmeriCorps Program Coordinator to over 400 students on campus. In 2016, my family and I relocated to the Gunnison Valley.

How did you discover Western?

Living in the Gunnison Valley, it’s hard to miss.

What are some of the highlights of your career?

I have had the privilege of initiating and coordinating a variety of health and wellness programs over the past 15 years. Highlights include (1) my time implementing diverse school health programs at a school district in the Front Range that served Commerce City, Brighton and Thornton communities; (2) skiing, climbing and biking with participants that came to Crested Butte’s Adaptive Sports Program and sharing in their life-changing experiences via therapeutic outdoor recreation; and, (3) serving as the Health Planner for our region (i.e., Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Telluride, Ouray and Delta) and developing new systems on the fly to support local public health departments and Public Health Directors in response to COVID-19. I’m very proud of the website I designed for them when I wasn’t in the ‘data’ weeds.

What most excites you about your field?

The infinitude of health (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, financial, spiritual and so on) as it relates and ripples across just about everything. It is fascinating. I especially geek out on nutrition, mindfulness, behavioral health and all topics around Active Living.

What is your favorite thing about the Gunnison Valley?

The grand beauty and access to witness, explore and recreate upon it. The community of people are pretty great, too.