Our Team | Northern Colorado Community Barter

Fernanda Powers

Executive Director

I was born in Belgium and raised in Michigan but have lived in Colorado since 1999 and consider it my home. I have been active in various causes since I was a teenager and now firmly believe building community is foundational to all forms of improving our world. I became interested in community currencies several years ago when I was made more aware of the hidden costs of national and global businesses outcompeting the small local businesses. Learning about the US monetary system convinced me that an effective community currency needs to be intrinsically valuable. I am happily married and mother to three children.

Profile » | Merchant Profile »

Benjamin Gilmore

Membership Coordinator

Benjamin D. Gilmore was born in Colorado and lived in Boulder County until his family moved to Cedaredge, Colorado. There he first met his wife Rebekah at the age of twelve while helping build the family home. After working construction through High School, he moved to Fort Collins to attend college and start a career. While in college he realized that entrepreneurship was his path and started toward business ownership. After working to start an advertising company he found Beekeeping was his true passion and started Copoco's Honey and Bee Products in 2004. He Married Rebekah in 2007 and today Copoco's Honey employs six people as well as pollinates over a million dollars worth of crops every year in Colorado and California. As a community trade coordinator for Northern Colorado, Benjamin helps connect local businesses with each other and the community. Please give him a call or stop by and tell him what you need, and he will invite a fellow business owner who can provide it to join the network.

Profile » | Merchant Profile »

Kimberlee Graves

Membership Coordinator

Kimberlee is originally from California, but has made her home in Fort Collins for sixteen years. She has seen the many changes the town has undergone. Having worked for many local businesses in town in these past years, she is eager to introduce the barter program and connect them with others. Recently, she has graduated from the Institute of Business and Medical Careers for Therapeutic Massage. Massage was something she has always had a passion for, and gravitated towards. She believes in the healing power of touch, as well as building a healthier community. She strives each day to give back whenever possible. When Kimberlee is not working she enjoys spending time with her family. They enjoy traveling, camping, hiking, and biking.

Profile » | Merchant Profile »