Farewell to Hilda: A Legacy That Lights the Way

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After three years of extraordinary work, we say farewell to Hilda Quintanilla Gehrke, whose impact on worker cooperatives across Colorado has been transformative and bright. Hilda has supported every major Latina start-up project in Colorado over the last ten years, bringing fierce dedication to worker cooperatives and an unwavering belief in people's abilities to collaborate, grow, and thrive. Her wisdom, care, advocacy, and skill have benefited countless groups of worker-owners in getting off the ground and growing into strong, sustainable enterprises. The impact she leaves is felt now, and will continue well into the future. 

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Each cooperative Hilda helped build stands today as a beacon - a light signaling that a new economy, rooted in ownership, prosperity, and collaboration, is not just possible but already here. Her influence will continue to ripple outward through the leaders she coached, the businesses she nurtured, and the communities she strengthened. 

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Hilda developed CCW's Worker Owned Cooperative Academy, TA LAB, and taught our technical assistance providers how to not just be teachers, but to be coaches so that every individual and group never forgets that they are capable, powerful, and that their business belongs to them. The CCW cooperative team will continue to ask: "What would Hilda do?" as we move forward with programming, meet tricky situations, or require clear-mindedness, unwavering support, and getting things done on behalf of Latina worker cooperatives. 

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Working alongside Hilda has made everyone better at CCW. We are profoundly grateful for everything Hilda has given to this work, and we wish her every joy and success in whatever comes next. Thank you, Hilda — for everything.