VOC regularly highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize VOC Crew Chef-to-be, Laura Mapes.

While Laura is relatively new to VOC, having just gotten involved in October 2013, she has already made a huge impression.

"I feel as though I've gained a family through VOC in the last year and a half," she said of VOC's tight-knit community. "Since moving to Colorado from Los Angeles in 2013, VOC has helped make Colorado a true home for me and my fiancé, Scott."

Laura's first project with VOC was the Pence Park Trail Construction and Reroute. She has since volunteered on a number of other trail restoration projects and is currently training to become a VOC Crew Chef.

"I'm so excited about becoming a Crew chef because laughter, satisfaction, and good friends can be founded through food. I look forward to being able to provide tasty meals to volunteers after they have been working hard on the trails," said Laura.

Aside from volunteering and her full-time position with global professional services firm Marsh & McLennan Companies in Denver, Laura enjoys snowboarding, cooking, brewing beer, and making new friends. Laura now lives in Aurora in a friendly, down-to-earth state where priority is placed on "quality of life and sustainable living." She is looking forward to exploring many new places in Colorado that VOC projects take her to!