About Me
Hey there! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, as the gal behind the Ute Pass Cultural Center blog. My name is Nicole and I am the Event Center Coordinator for the City of Woodland Park, and my office is housed inside the historic Ute Pass Cultural Center (UPCC). Any event, party, concert, that takes place inside the UPCC or outside in Midland Pavilion comes through me.
How did I get here?
I grew up in Alabama but have been in Colorado for about ten years, and feel the mountains are where I belong. Get ready to buckle up and hold on, as I have had a few career changes over the years. I have been told that every person has 5 good careers over their lifetime. I am on number 5, so I guess I am staying right here until I retire.
My college degrees are in Fashion Design and Business. I had aspirations of moving to New York City, starting my own fashion house, and becoming famous. Remember the move “Sweet Home Alabama”? Well, that was me. Needless to say, I am not famous but I did live in New York City for a few months, and I did end up with my true love.
After my internship in NYC, I accepted a position as a retail buyer for an Alabama company. A move took my husband and me to a new city, and I merged into interior design work. With my fashion design sewing skills, I also began creating custom interior goods to compliment my home design projects. It was somewhere around the same time that I began event coordinating and wedding planning. Helping friends and friends of friends plan their weddings and parties became an enjoyable “side hustle” that I have continued.
The next move, took me to Colorado where I decided it was time to use my business skills. This is going to sound very strange, but I joined corporate America and worked at an oil and natural gas company. There were a lot of positives about this job but my favorite take-away is Excel. I love a spreadsheet, and make spreadsheets for EVERYTHING! So… thank you corporate America!
My husband and I had a couple of quick cross country moves, and during this time I followed another dream that was always in the back of my mind. I became a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. This was job number 4.
This brings us to the present and job number 5, and I guess my final good career. Ha ha! Combining my past experience and knowledge of fashion, interiors, events, organization, and spreadsheets make the Ute Pass Cultural Center the perfect fit for me. I love my job and I love helping people plan events and think through all the details involved.
These are a few of my favorite things
Sewing
I had 2 grandmothers who taught me how to sew when I was a kid. I participated in 4-H sewing competitions during elementary and middle school. Right now, I have a pattern cut out on my sewing table that is ready to put together. Recently, my love for sewing clothes has been rekindled and I have make hoodies, blouses, and lot of bold patterned pants.
Running/Exercise
After my first road race, at the age of 7, I was hooked. Since childhood, I have been a runner. During high school I completed in Track & Field, Cross Country and Indoor Track. Then in college I competed on the Track and Field team, mainly in field events. Post college I have run one marathon, at least one dozen half-marathons, and even more 5ks. My favorite races that I have completed are the Garden of the Gods 10 miler and the Pike Peak Ascent (half marathon up the side of Pike’s Peak). On top of running, I love my local gym, Woodland Fitness Center where I enjoy strength training, teaching three fitness classes per week, and working with personal training clients.
Big Dogs
I love big dogs, and I cannot lie! Penelope, my Great Dane, is almost 2 years old. She is very much a puppy and has two speeds: lazy and crazy. She loves paper towels, socks, eating snow and stuffed animals.
National Parks
The past 10 years, my husband and I have planned many vacations around National Parks. These beautiful places have been protected and were named National Parks for a reason. They are truly spectacular! We love the challenge of finding the longest day hikes in these locations, and seeing just how many miles we can hike while on vacation.
Thanks for finding the Ute Pass Cultural Center blog and I look forward to sharing many more thoughts, tips, and ideas with you!
-Nicole