Colorado Circular Communities (C3) is a statewide program, and we're excited to share that we are making adjustments to better match needs across the state. C3 has five new satellite connections to expand outreach and support circularity efforts in regions outside the Front Range.

Rural communities are a priority for C3 as we work to foster a circular economy in Colorado. The satellite team expands C3's capacity to better understand the wants and needs of communities and thus offer enhanced support and programs.

Satellite partners will serve as thought partners, collaborators, and circular economy advocates in the regions they serve. They support communities in understanding C3 and how to successfully access available resources, support grant applicants, and help develop projects for grants and Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS). Their local knowledge and expertise help ensure that projects are responsive to the people and places they are intended to serve. Learn more below!

Meet the C3 Satellite Partners

• Southeast Region - Ally Palmer (c3allyp@gmail.com)
  • Ally brings years of experience in recycling, sustainability, nonprofit finance, and accounting. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Clean Valley Recycling and previously served on the Recycle Colorado Board of Directors.
• Southwest Region - Marianne Mate (marianne@circularoutreach.com)
  • Marianne moved to southwest Colorado in 1996. She has been active in the region in various roles over the years, including as a volunteer, grant writer and co-founder of the Montezuma Land Conservancy. In her words: “I’m so excited to continue working on circular solutions for SW Colorado and to have the opportunity to work with the staff at C3 and their mission to advance circularity throughout the state.”
• Western Slope Region - Mike Ritter (mritter@gjincubator.org)
  • In addition to his role on the C3 satellite team, Mike is the Economic Development Director at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction. His extensive experience in launching and scaling local businesses, and implementing programs is grounded in the belief that small businesses can create long-term community prosperity.
• Northwest Region - Caitlin Farkas (caitlin.farkas@westernresilience.org)
  • Caitlin has been with Western Resilience Center since 2025, working to advance programs that strengthen circularity, recycling, composting, and waste diversion opportunities across the Yampa Valley. Caitlin looks forward to connecting C3’s resources with communities and organizations across the region and helping expand access to circular economy initiatives.
• Northeast Region (Satellite Coordinator) - Susan Renaud (susan@circularoutreach.com)
  • Susan has more than 15 years of experience developing sustainability and circular economy initiatives for local governments and nonprofit organizations across Colorado. Earlier in her career on the Front Range, she led community engagement initiatives and developed circular economy pilot projects.

Longer bios and photos are shared on the C3 website.