LGBTQ Commission

Christopher Zivalich (he/him) is the Senior Manager in State Policy and Training at the National Coalition of STD Directors. In his role, he analyzes sexual health policy trends across state legislatures, provides policy technical assistance, and empowers public health professionals to develop, implement, and evaluate STI-related policy goals. Born and raised in Colorado, Christopher joined the LGBTQ Commission in 2021 because he is passionate about serving all members of the local queer community to ensure the city is inclusive, safe, and equitable. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Ithaca College and an M.A. in Gender Studies from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary (his Hungarian is terrible, but he does speak German). In his free time, Christopher volunteers as a Governor-appointed health equity expert on the Colorado Option Advisory Board, supports local HIV advocacy efforts, explores cocktail bars with his husband Martin, and dances routinely in Zumba class. Chris is the current Commission Chair and serves on the Research Committee. 

Miguel Banuelos-Garcia (he/him) is a College Advisor with the Denver Scholarship Foundation. Miguel was born and raised in Denver, CO and is a first-generation scholar proud of being a Colorado State University alumnus. Passionate about college access and equity, Miguel is dedicated to supporting students in their pursuit of higher education. His journey reflects a commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all. Rooted in his Communication Studies and Policy background, Miguel leverages his understanding of framing to advocate for inclusive policies and engage in meaningful public discourse. As a driving force in the quest for a more equitable educational landscape, Miguel inspires graduating students to embrace the transformative power of education and work towards a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Miguel serves as Secretary for the Commission, as well as on the Policy Committee. 

Eboni Coleman (she/her) is a Denver native, multimedia artist, and creative entrepreneur committed to uplifting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities through storytelling, cultural preservation, and visual advocacy. She is the owner of EB Pixs, Co-Founder of Black Pride Colorado, and serves as Supervising Producer of Video for the Essence Festival of Culture. EB also sits as Board Secretary for the Stiles African American Heritage Center, is on the Advisory Board for Digital Media with the Colorado Council of Black Nurses, and serves as a committee member for both the Lavender Hill Cultural District and the Denver Kwanzaa Committee. Influenced by her background as a performer, EB brings a unique ability to see the hidden patterns in everyday life and connect them to a larger narrative. Her intuitive lens allows her to anticipate powerful moments before they unfold—resulting in impactful visuals that preserve and celebrate communal history. Eboni serves on the Research Committee.

Alex Diorio (they/them) is a systems builder, community weaver, and proud member of Denver’s queer community with over a decade of experience in equity-centered operations, youth programming, and grassroots strategy. They lead organizations through DEIA assessments and strategic planning, help mission-driven teams design feedback systems that center QTBIPOC voices, and have deep ties to Denver’s queer creative and arts scene. Through their consulting work, Alex supports values-aligned teams in translating care into action across policy, operations, and culture. Outside of work, you can find them tending to their garden, road-tripping with their pup and partner, browsing queer markets, or dancing the night away at The Pearl! They are honored to serve on the LGBTQ+ Commission to help ensure Denver’s systems honor the complexity, joy, and collective liberation that our communities deserve. Alex is on the Outreach Committee. 

Melinda Higgs (she/her) joined the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center (CNDC) in September 1999 as the organization's first president and CEO. Before her role at CNDC, Melinda was the executive director of an association of Colorado youth mentoring programs. She has served on several Colorado boards and commissions and currently serves on Denver’s LGBTQ+ Commission and the Colorado Nonprofit Association Policy Committee. She is a founding member of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors and serves on its Steering Committee. Melinda is a graduate of Leadership Denver and of El Pomar Foundation’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program. She is a 2006 recipient of a Livingston Fellowship, an initiative of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, and a 2020 recipient of the Colorado Nonprofit Association’s Steve Graham Award for Building Nonprofit Capacity. Away from work, Melinda enjoys spending time with her daughters and friends, traveling, reading, yoga, and engaging in outdoor adventures. Melinda serves on the Executive Committee as the At-Large Member. 

Dr. Tara Jae (they/them) is a visionary storyteller, cultural curator, and mental health advocate with a deep passion for supporting the QTBIPOC community. They are the co- founder of Black Pride Colorado, established in 2021, and the Founder & Executive Director of YouthSeen, where they lead transformative initiatives centered around mental health, wellness, and community empowerment. An award-winning producer and cultural consultant, Dr. tara harnesses the power of storytelling to address the intersection of identity, culture, and healing. Their work is grounded in a commitment to creating inclusive spaces where individuals can thrive, experience abundance, and embrace their own personal growth.

With an extensive background in the arts, Dr. Tara has made a lasting impact through intentional, transformative narratives that uplift, educate, and inspire. As an advocate for mental health, they focus deeply on building resources and experiences that support the healing journeys of QTBIPOC individuals, empowering them to navigate challenges and live authentically.

Driven by the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and express their true selves, Dr. Tara continues to push the boundaries of creativity to impact lives and promote holistic wellness. 

Martha Lewis (she/her) is a financial advisor at the Stellarix Group, where she specializes in the LGBTQ+ community, non-profits, and foundations. Martha has been making an impact through the financial services industry for twenty years and joined the LGBTQ+ Commission in 2022. Previously, Martha was a board member of Upward Roots, a non-profit which creates programs to empower youth to be leaders through youth-led, youth-driven community service. Additionally, she has volunteered her time with the National Center of Lesbian Rights and currently is on the Advisory Board for Peak 9 Confidence, which teaches girls confidence and mental wellness through sport. Martha lives in Denver with her wife, Elaine “EY” Youngs, their dog Leo, and enjoys everything Colorado has to offer from fly fishing to downhill skiing to renovating an old airstream named Waylon off-grid in Ouray County. Martha serves as the Vice Chair of the Commission on the Executive Committee. 

Kat Ling (they/she) is the CEO of Moonshot, a nonprofit that surfaces and supports leaders to design innovative learning solutions for underserved youth in Colorado. Kat began their career as a 4th grade teacher and later worked in education nonprofits coaching teachers and facilitating diversity, equity & inclusiveness trainings in Arkansas and Mississippi. While in the south, Kat launched the GLSEN-Arkansas chapter and led the chapter to train over 1,000 teachers per year across the Deep South on creating safe and inclusive classrooms. They also served on GLSEN’s National Advisory Council and was a founding member of GLSEN’s Race & Privilege Committee. They currently serve as the Board Chair of Asian Girls Ignite, a nonprofit that creates spaces for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth to explore and define their identity on their own terms. They are a member of the Pahara Institute, Leadership Denver Class of 2022, the Colorado AAPI Giving Circle and a co-founder of the Colorado LGBTQ+ Giving Circle. Kat is a former Commission Chair and serves as the Chair for the Outreach Committee. 

Caitlin Long (they/them) is an AASECT certified sex educator with over ten years of experience working in gender-specific and social-emotional health education programming. They earned their Masters of Education in Curriculum and Teaching with an emphasis on gender and curriculum from Teachers College, Columbia University. In their ten years of experience, they have learned how to make it easier for people (youth and adults) to engage critically, authentically, and vulnerably with each other about sex, bodies, and relationships. They are a zaza/parent, experienced sexuality educator, adult facilitator, curriculum designer, and public school teacher. Most recently, Caitlin co-founded re|scripted a feminist education consulting practice and has been busy developing pleasure positive, gender inclusive, equity and learner centered sex education curriculum. They also facilitate sex positive education to youth and families through their role as an educator and the Head of Curriculum at Sex Positive Families. Caitlin serves as the Policy Chair. 

Tony Lucero (he/him) serves as the Director of Bridging Divides, where he works with key partners to ensure all individuals who complete a year of service walk away with the skills needed to work across lines of difference. Tony served as an AmeriCorps staff member with City Year Denver and is a previous high school educator and Mayoral appointee who worked on the House 1000 Initiative. He worked as a Managing Director at City Year Denver, where he supported the team to create GSAs and similar programming for students, and brought in LGBTQ leaders as guest speakers and facilitators. Tony is an alumnus of the Moonshot Fellowship and has also volunteered with Urban Peak and other local nonprofits. Tony serves on the Policy Committee.

Andrew R. Miller (they/he) is a DEI leader and transgender advocate with over a decade of experience advancing LGBTQ+ equity in healthcare and the workplace in Denver, Colorado. Andrew supports healthcare staff, providers, and leaders in shifting the culture of equity and inclusion within organizations. As Certified Diversity Professional and clinical counseling graduate, Andrew combines lived experience with professional training to address systemic inequities and create spaces where all identities are respected and celebrated. They are passionate about driving social, economic, and political equity for the LGBTQ+ community. Andrew serves on the Policy Committee. 

Austin Montoya (he/him) is the senior communications officer for the Gill Foundation, responsible for managing grants for communications and research projects, identifying opportunities that shape the public narrative on LGBTQ issues, and ensuring cohesive communications strategies are integrated across the national LGBTQ movement. He also currently serves on the Research Committee for the Denver LGBTQ Commission.

Austin has committed his 15+ year career to health equity, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ equality.  He has held communications and leadership roles at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, One Colorado Education Fund, and The Colorado Health Foundation. In 2022, he was honored as one of the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce's “40 Under 40 Leaders.”

A proud Colorado Native, Austin grew up near the Eastern Plains and graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and technical communications as a first-generation student.

Outside of work, Austin enjoys being outdoors on a hike or on the slopes, practicing CrossFit, attending a local concert, or simply binge-watching a TV show. He lives with his partner, Topher, and their two cats, Lucy Lou and Ophelia.

Lizz Mueller (she/they) manages community outreach campaigns for local, progressive, political candidates and is also a nanny. She is very passionate about making a positive impact in her community and helping shape future generations to be the best they can be. Lizz has both a Masters in Public Health and a Masters in Social Work and believes strongly in the power of grassroots community efforts. They were once a Community Health Volunteer in the Peace Corps and know firsthand that community transformation happens when its people have ownership and a say in how their community is run. Lizz brings an empowerment-informed lens to all the work she does and strives to help people see the best in themselves, so they can make their best contributions to this world. Finally, she is an avid concert-goer who loves live music, tasty food, hiking, and spending quality time with friends and family. Lizz currently serves on the Policy Committee.

Stas Schmiedt (they/them) is a Queer, Nonbinary, Black-Italian based on Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne unceded lands in Denver, CO.  In addition to being a Co-Founder of Spring Up, Stas is also our “Imaginatrix” and Lead Curriculum Designer. Coaching Style: Untangling the patterns and root causes of challenges through storytelling, power analysis, and creative practices. Creatively designing accountable organizational systems and engaging, accessible curriculum. Stas has also supported queer-led organizations like One Colorado and Joy as Resistance as a consultant who supports with conflict mediation and strategies for collective governance. Stas serves on the Research Committee as the Chair.

Eric Smith (he/him) works in real estate and property management and currently manages Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties throughout the Denver metro area. Eric is an LGBTQ advocate as well as local transportation advocate as he currently sits on RTD's Citizen's Advisory Commission (CAC) District A, which is a 17-member committee that advises the agency on RTD’s strategies, initiatives and transportation programs and keeps the region’s citizens informed of RTD programs and initiatives and encourages input from local communities. Currently, Eric stays busy by finishing up a double major at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU), and traveling cross country to try the best roller coasters and dinner buffets around. Eric currently serves as the Communications Liaison and HRCP Advisory Board Alternate on the Executive Committee, as well as the Outreach Committee.

Marcie Smith (she/her) is a SEL Counselor for Denver Kids, Denver Kids a partnership with Denver Public Schools. Denver Kids provides academic support, enrichment, social-emotional tools and future planning to unlock full, lifelong success for every student. Marcie has 15+ years experience working in the public school system where she has also been a mindfulness coach for both students and staff to help everyone in school buildings deal with day to day stress. She is an accomplished singer who is a SOFAR Artist and has performed all over Southern California, parts of Nevada, Arizona, and over course here in Colorado. Lastly, Marcie is an LGBTQ advocate in all aspects of her life and believes diversity makes spaces better, everyone deserves to be seen and heard. Marcie serves on the Outreach Committee. 

Patrick Walton (he/him) brings 15 years of experience spanning the private, nonprofit, and public sectors to VISIT DENVER as Director of Government & Community Affairs. Previously, Patrick worked with the City and County of Denver as the Assistant Director of Government & External Affairs at Denver Economic Development & Opportunity where he led external affairs, policy, and legislative affairs for the agency. Prior to the City and County of Denver, he worked with Mile High United Way in various roles focused on the economic mobility of families in Colorado including as the Director of Tax Help Colorado. Patrick also serves on the Board of Environmental Learning for Kids, Denver’s Agency for Human Rights & Community Rights Advisory Board, the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Board, and the Colfax Marathon Board. Patrick is an avid traveler, and you can often find him hitting the slopes during the winter. Patrick serves on the Executive and Policy Committees.