Hi there! My name is Andrea Smith, but you can call me Annie. I am so excited to be a part of the Colorado Trout Unlimited team as the new Communications and Membership Coordinator. I've been working here for about 4 months now and have met quite a few of your already at various events, board meetings, and most recently the 2018 Western Regional Rendezvous!  A little bit about me: I am originally from the Chicago area having lived there for 18 years until moving out to Colorado with my family. I attended the University of Colorado, Boulder and completed my Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environmental Studies with a minor in Geology. During my summers at college, I interned with multiple non-profits in the area. I once worked at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with a focus on the care of injured or orphaned waterfowl and songbirds. I saw first hand the dangers that wildlife face in a human world and assisted the licensed rehabilitators in administering medical treatments.

I also interned and later worked for the Inland Ocean Coalition (formerly the Colorado Ocean Coalition) a project of the Ocean Foundation, nonprofit. There I was the Lead in Operations and Public Outreach, but also wore many hats and became exposed to the inner workings of a non-profit which included development and growth through volunteer projects, trainings, programming, fundraisers, communications, outreach, and legislative activism. 

I've also been a Girl Scout my entire life and loved summer camp to the point that I also worked a summer up at Red Feather Lakes, CO (sadly closed now) as a Staff Counselor. 

Water has been a continuous theme in my life. I grew up near the Great Lakes and loved going swimming at the Illinois Beach State Park, camping in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, and going on family road trips to some of the best outdoor places across the US. Some other hobbies I enjoy include: painting, hiking, photography, videography, kayaking, and playing my ukulele. 

I come from a family of fishermen and women, but I still haven't caught the fishing bug yet like my older sister has (she ties some great flies by the way). Whenever my dad goes fishing on Lake San Isabel, I'm the one in the kayak or hiking around the area collecting lost hooks or bobbers. I've had a lesson or two recently and am excited to find some great spots to practice my cast.  Feel free to send me your recommendations for a beginner angler like me!