- Invest with purpose and intention: Build a portfolio that reflects what matters most to you—whether that’s sustainability, fairness, or community impact.
- Support Businesses That Reflect Your Values: Invest in businesses that consider people, the planet, and ethical practices.
- Feel More Connected to Your Financial Life: When your investments reflect your beliefs, it adds meaning and clarity to your financial decisions.
- Stay Focused on Your Goals: Evidence shows a well-diversified, values-aligned portfolio can be designed to support your long-term objectives.
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CCM was established in 2000, and is located in Boulder, CO. We are a Certified B-Corporation and provide fee-only financial planning and portfolio management services for high-net worth individuals, families, and foundations.
our team
Steven Ellis
Managing Partner, Senior Advisor, CFA
Steve Ellis has spent his career making an impact, so it’s not surprising that Colorado Capital Management’s founder 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
Managing Partner, Senior Advisor, WMSSM
As a serial entrepreneur and world traveler, Lee Strongwater, president of Colorado Capital Management, brings a global perspective to investments and life planning.
For over 20 years, Lee has passionately assisted clients with their financial planning and portfolio management needs. He particularly enjoys helping them lead more meaningful lives and invest in ways that align 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 possesses 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 based in Denver. He founded two children’s product companies, one of which went public in 2007.
Lee has actively volunteered for several organizations. He is a former president and a current member of the Board of Directors at the Boulder Jewish Community Center, a highly respected organization at both local and national levels. Lee also served 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 enhance educational outcomes for girls and boys living in poverty in Kenya, India, and Guatemala.
Lee is married and has two daughters. He enjoys hiking, skiing, and traveling—mostly to Mediterranean countries—as well as trying out new recipes inspired by his journeys. When he’s not on the move, 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,
Managing Partner, Senior Advisor CFP®, CSRIC®
As a managing partner and senior advisor at Colorado Capital Management, Jason brings 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is passionate about helping individuals and families live abundant and intentional lives and takes pride in being part of a Certified B Corporation. This allows him to provide meaningful financial and investment planning while focusing on socially responsible business practices that make a positive impact.
As a Chartered SRI CounselorSM, Jason has a strong background and keen interest in sustainable investing. He enjoys helping clients understand its benefits. He is also a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado.
Before joining CCM, Jason worked as a consultant for financial advisors at Jackson National. He helped create meaningful connections with families, developed creative asset allocation strategies, and provided tax-advantaged retirement income solutions. During his tenure there, Jason worked with over four thousand financial advisors nationwide, was recognized multiple times as Consultant of the Year, and managed a team of twenty-five individuals.
Jason has been married to Bridget for fifteen years, whom he met while in college at CU. Together, they have a son, daughter, and a Frenchie named Coco Disco. They live in the Whisper Creek neighborhood of Arvada. When Jason isn’t at work, he and his family enjoy skiing in Summit County, wake surfing 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.
Investment Values Alignment Quiz
Take the quiz to learn more about how your values can imprint your investment portfolio.
