How ELK Started (en Español)

ELK is a Denver-based, 501(c)3 organization established in 1996 by two wildlife biologists, Scott and Stacie Gilmore, who saw a growing need to introduce and educate Colorado's urban youth about science, math, leadership and careers.

More than 15 years ago, former Colorado Senator Ken Salazar, current U.S. Interior Secretary, headed up the Youth in Natural Resources program, when he was Executive Director of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources. Scott, current ELK Advisory Board Member, and Stacie, current ELK Executive Director, were part of that program.

ELK was founded because all young people deserve strong educational support, good role models and opportunities for positive community action in order to become engaged, productive and successful members of society.

Since 1996, ELK has successfully achieved its goals by providing both classroom and experiential field activities to more than 114,000 youth and their families across the Northeast corridor of Denver. ELK offers a mosaic of programs that serve as stepping stones for all young people: our future leaders and engaged citizens of tomorrow.