About Us
our team
Founded in 2000, Boulder-based Colorado Capital Management, a certified B-Corporation, provides independent fee-only portfolio management, financial planning and impact investments for high-net-worth individuals, families and foundations.
Our team of experienced, caring and credentialed professionals are dedicated to providing you with an exceptional client experience.
Steven Ellis
Senior Advisor, CFA
Steve Ellis has spent his career making an impact, so it’s not surprising that Colorado Capital Management’s founder and president launched the firm’s entry into impact investing.
He brings over 30 years of experience as a financial advisor to high net worth clients. His early work included teaching college courses in accounting and finance, consulting for a major accounting firm, and researching and acquiring investments as the chief due diligence officer of a leading national financial planning firm. Since 1989, he has advised individual and institutional investors on the management of their wealth. Steve is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), holds a business degree from the University of Colorado, magna cum laude, and a master’s degree from Cornell University.
Steve launched the firm’s entry into impact investing in 2012 and is committed to helping build the field. Steve is a passionate speaker on the topic. He has taught about impact investing at various conferences and classes around the country, including as a past faculty member at Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Steve was recognized in the “Who’s Who in Impact Investing” by the Denver Business Journal in 2018. This distinction, developed in collaboration with the Impact Finance Center, highlights professionals making significant contributions to impact investing and fostering meaningful change within their communities (learn more).
Steve is married, with two daughters, enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, tennis and bridge, and is actively involved in the community. He has served on numerous boards and committees for a wide array of nonprofit organizations, including the Boulder JCC, Rose Community Foundation, Jewish Family Service, and Friendship Bridge. His passion for impact and community service helped lead Colorado Capital Management to become a Certified B Corporation and to build a strong culture of volunteerism and philanthropy.
Lee Strongwater
Senior Advisor, WMS
For more than 15 years, Lee has passionately assisted clients with their financial planning and portfolio management needs. He especially enjoys helping them live more meaningful lives and invest in ways that are aligned with their values. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He also holds the Wealth Management Specialist (WMS) certification.
Before joining Colorado Capital Management, Lee was a managing partner at Strongwater-Schott, a fee-only investment management and financial planning firm in Denver. Prior to that, he was an entrepreneur who helped start and manage several small firms, including a children’s product company that went public in 2007.
Lee is an active volunteer for several organizations. He is a past President and current member of the Board of Directors for the Boulder Jewish Community Center, an organization that is highly respected on both a local and national level. Lee is also on the Investment Committee of Girl Rising-Global Education, a venture philanthropy fund that invests in social entrepreneurs with culturally-relevant ideas. The fund’s investments promote gender equality and improve educational outcomes for girls and boys living in poverty in Kenya and India.
Lee is married and has two daughters. He enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling—mostly to Mediterranean countries—and trying out new recipes from his journeys. When he’s not on the go you can find him engrossed in a book.
Emily Lucero
Financial Advisor, CFP®, CSRIC®
Emily builds deeply meaningful relationships with her clients to help them thrive in good times and persevere through challenging times.
Emily is an advisor at Colorado Capital Management, bringing eight-plus years of significant industry experience from both brokerage and investment advisory firms. Emily is excited to have landed at CCM, a Certified B Corp that is innovative and values-driven. She is proud to create meaningful financial and investment plans for clients, while also focusing on socially responsible business practices. As a Chartered SRI Counselor™, Emily has a strong background and keen interest in sustainable investing and enjoys helping clients understand the merits of this approach. She loves learning about people and their backgrounds which she believes is the foundation of fostering great long-term relationships. Emily is a Certified Financial Planner™ and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado.
Prior to joining CCM, Emily worked as an analyst at another top Boulder-based investment advisor firm, where she solidified her investment knowledge and gained a deep understanding of portfolio construction and management. She was also responsible for the firm’s business development, deepening community relationships and creating positive client experiences through events and firm initiatives.
Emily, a Colorado native, is married to Brice, whom she met at CU Boulder in their Philosophy 101 class. They have a daughter, Charlotte (Charlie for short), a son, Bjorn, and a Beagle named Deza. Outside of her professional life, Emily is a dedicated home cook, a fitness enthusiast who enjoys HIIT workouts, and a lover of home improvement projects. She cherishes her time in the Colorado sunshine, often spending it with her family.
Erica Loughrey
Financial Advisor, CFP®, MSFP
Erica is passionate about providing purposeful advice to help clients enjoy a meaningful life.
Erica is an advisor at CCM. She joined the firm in 2021, fulfilling her desire to work for a values-based company with a deep commitment to making an impact. She moved from her hometown of Anchorage, Alaska and quickly fell in love with the sunny and beautiful state of Colorado. She brought with her prior experience as a para-planner and is delighted to be engaged in a profession that empowers individuals to flourish financially. She believes strongly in exceptional client service and creating lifelong generational relationships.
In 2022, she accomplished two of her major career goals, finishing her master’s degree in financial planning (MSFP) and earning her Certified Financial Planner™ designation.
Erica enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling to exotic locales. In her free time, you can find her out skiing, hiking, scuba diving, practicing yoga or jetting off to new places to explore. She has a never-ending list of travel plans, having already visited over 20 countries, and feels lucky to have so many wonderful opportunities and adventures.
Jason Black,
Senior Advisor, CFP®, CSRIC®
Jason is a partner and senior advisor at Colorado Capital Management. He brings more than 15 years of varied experience working in the financial services industry. He joined CCM after a long search to find the perfect firm that aligned well with his values and mission. Jason is passionate about helping individuals and families live abundant and intentional lives. He is proud to be part of a Certified B Corporation, doing meaningful financial and investment planning for clients, while also focusing on socially responsible business practices and making a positive impact. As a Chartered SRI CounselorSM, Jason has a strong background and keen interest in sustainable investing and enjoys helping clients understand the merits of this approach. Jason is also a Certified Financial Planner™ and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado.
Before joining CCM, Jason worked with Jackson National as a consultant for financial advisors. He helped create meaningful connections with families, creative asset allocation strategies, and tax-advantaged retirement-income solutions. During his tenure there he worked with over four thousand financial advisors across the country, was recognized multiple times as consultant of the year, and also managed a team of twenty-five individuals.
Jason is happily married to his wife, Bridget, of thirteen years, who he met while in college at CU. Together they have a son and daughter, and a Frenchie named Coco Disco. They live in the Whisper Creek neighborhood of Arvada. When Jason is not at work, he and his family can often be found making turns in Summit County, wakesurfing in Glendo, WY, cooking, dancing and traveling.
Vince Otterbein
Financial Advisor, CFP®
Vince joined the Colorado Capital Management team in 2020. A lifelong Colorado resident, he graduated from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2018. After finding a passion for personal finance and pursuing the financial planning degree track at CU, Vince went on to work at Charles Schwab & Co. as a registered representative where he provided investment guidance and trading services. He quickly realized that he wanted to work at an independent firm as a fee-only adviser where the client’s interests came before all else.
Vince is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and helps clients with their financial, tax and estate planning and portfolio management needs. He truly enjoys de-mystifying the world of investment advice and takes a holistic approach.
In his spare time, Vince enjoys skiing, golfing, and many other activities the Rocky Mountains has to offer. He holds dual citizenship in the US and France and loves traveling abroad whenever he gets the chance. Vince always welcomes opportunities to learn and is an active member of the community.
Zuzana Birova
Portfolio Manager, MBA
Zuzana is the lead portfolio manager at Colorado Capital Management.
Max Pulitzer
Assistant Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Max is an assistant portfolio manager and analyst at Colorado Capital Management.
He joined the firm on a part-time basis in 2018 while still in college, and started full-time in 2020. Max conducts investment research, develops portfolio recommendations, and assists with trading and rebalancing portfolios. He is delighted to be part of CCM team and to be assisting clients with their investment needs.
Max graduated from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting. He was heavily involved in the CU community as a representative at large for the University of Colorado Student Government and a voting member on the finance board.
Max was born and raised in Boulder, CO. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, fly fishing, traveling, and spending time with family. He also enjoys helping others and was a Mentor at Mentoring Through Movement for two years while attaining his undergraduate degree.
Andy Gilson
VP of Operations, CRPS™
He joined the firm in 2007, making him the second longest tenured member of our team. Andy manages the day-to-day operations of the firm, including all back office and client service functions. This includes almost everything related to opening new accounts, transferring assets, portfolio accounting and reporting, vendor relations, subscription documents for private investments, year-end tax information, and more. He has been instrumental to the growth and success of the company, which has more than tripled in revenues during his tenure.
Andy holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications & Media Technology from King’s College located in Wilkes-Barre, PA. He also has extensive prior experience in the financial services industry, including two years as an operations specialist at Raymond James Financial, and six years in investor services and management at a mutual fund transfer agency.
Andy has lived in Colorado since 2007. Prior to that he and his family lived in the Philadelphia area where he is originally from. He and his wife Jada have four children and he enjoys spending time with his family, camping and sports.
Stacie Craddock
Compliance Coordinator
Since joining Colorado Capital Management (“CCM”) in 2018 and now through Integrated Compliance Advisors, Stacie has served as our compliance consultant and subject-matter expert.
Cedric Lafontant
Client Service Associate
Cedric is a Client Service Associate at CCM.
Cedric graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey in May of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in social science. While in school, he amassed working experience in multiple industries. He worked as a tennis instructor and pro shop attendant at Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ for seven years. Additionally, he volunteered with Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children as well as interned for a judge in the Superior Courts of New Jersey.
Cedric lives in Denver with his sister and her partner. In his free time, you will find him snowboarding at local mountains, hiking beautiful trails, or playing in recreational soccer leagues. He wants to continue helping at risk youth through volunteerism. Cedric love music and in fact, if you are ever near Jefferson Park, you may be able to hear jazz from his record player.
Certification Disclaimer
Industry certifications (CFA, CFP, etc.) show technical and industry knowledge and obtaining these designations shows a professional commitment to investment skills.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Chartered Financial Analysts are licensed by the CFA Institute to use the CFA mark. CFA certification requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or have equivalent education or work experience;
- Successful completion of all three exam levels of the CFA Program;
Have 48 months of acceptable professional work experience in the investment decision-making process; - Fulfill society requirements, which vary by society. Unless you are upgrading from affiliate membership, all societies require two sponsor statements as part of each application; these are submitted online by your sponsors;
- Agree to adhere to and sign the Member’s Agreement, a Professional Conduct Statement, and any additional documentation requested by CFA Institute.
Certified Financial Planner™, CFP®
The federally registered CFP (with flame design) marks (collectively, the “CFP® marks”) are professional certification marks granted in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”). The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its
high standard of professional education;
stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and
ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. To attain the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements:
- a) complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject areas including insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning;
- b) pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination (2 day; 10 hour exam);
- c) complete at least three years of full-time financial planning-related experience (or the equivalent, measured as 2,000 hours per year);
- d) agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct;
- e) complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years; and
- f) renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct.
Wealth Management Specialist (WMS®)
A financial planner needs to understand the fundamentals of the wealth management process. Individuals who hold the WMS® designation reviews the relevant principles to consider in the asset allocation process as well as investment strategies that are used in the accumulation of wealth. Also included are explanations and examples of basic time value of money computations. Basic tax implications of investments used in the wealth management process, along with retirement and estate planning considerations, are also discussed. A financial planner needs to complete all 13 courses to earn the WMS® certificate. All WMS® designation holders will be responsible for completing 16 hours of Continuing Education credits every 2 years.
Integrity
Our core value
Quality
Providing an exceptional client experience
We are passionate about providing clients with an exceptional experience.. This is demonstrated by our highly personalized and responsive service, careful attention to detail and proactive communication. It is underpinned by our rigorous market and investment research. It is evidenced by our exceptional client retention. And it stems from the outstanding qualifications and expertise of our wealth management team.
Responsibility
Doing the right thing
We care deeply about doing the right thing—for our clients and for our community at large. As both a Public Benefit Corporation and a Certified B Corporation, we have doubled down on our commitment to socially responsible business practices. Our team members hold volunteer leadership roles with a variety of nonprofit organizations. We actively minimize and offset our carbon footprint. We give generously and provide pro-bono services in support of numerous charities. And we are recognized locally and nationally as leaders in ESG (environmental, social and governance) and impact investing. For more information, see our Annual Impact Report.
To learn more about our values driven approach to enriching lives, please contact us for a free consultation.
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Advancing Women and Children in Developing Countries
Helping Those in Need in Colorado
Protecting Our Environment
Serving Our Local Community
Make a Wish Colorado
