Meet Miriam Luna Gonzalez

Miriam is a Colorado native that grew up in Denver. She received a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2019 and has been with the City of Salida for several months. Read on to learn more about Miriam and what projects she'll be focusing on in the community. 

Tell us about yourself and your path to Salida

Upon graduating, I took a job at a nonprofit organization as their investment relations specialist. However, my passion for my community in Colorado led me into the MPA program with a concentration in Local Government at the University of Colorado Denver. I am currently in my last year of the program and hope to graduate in May 2022!  A semester into the program I learned about the Best and Brightest fellowship and immediately applied for it. Luckily, Salida was the right match for me! I will be working for the City of Salida as their Management Fellow for the next two years!

What are you most excited about in your new role with the City?

 In my new role with the City, I am most excited to learn about all local government components, engaging with our community, and being guided by our City Administrator, Drew, who has many years of experience in the field!

What’s a project you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?

I am very excited to be working alongside Beck Gray, director of Chaffee housing authority, and Bill Almquist, Salida's community development director, on our Open Doors program. The City of Salida, like most mountain towns, is seeing a huge need for housing. As a public servant, I am thrilled to be able to give back to the community, help launch this program, and temporarily help with our housing problems.

Where’s your favorite place to go, or do, in Salida?

Salida has so much to offer, however, I love being in the river the most. It is absolutely peaceful.