PAFC News & Updates

   Thanks and gratitude to our Mission and Newsletter Sponsor

The Gallery at Fort Collins is our Mission Sponsor and our Newsletter Sponsor. The Gallery is deeply committed to fostering a thriving and connected community for older adults - just like we are.

Their sponsorship helps us continue providing meaningful programs, services, and resources that enrich lives and promote independence for older adults. Thank you, The Gallery at Fort Collins, for supporting our mission!

Learn more about The Gallery at Fort Collins   

Our Best Wishes to Lorye McLeod

As you may have already heard, Lorye McLeod has recently resigned as our Executive Director. While we are saddened by her departure, we have immense gratitude for her many accomplishments and commitment to PAFC’s mission.

Lorye joined PAFC about six years ago, right in the heart of the COVID pandemic. She interviewed over Zoom, a platform she and most everyone else had never even heard of at the time. One of her earliest initiatives, the Zoom Project, helped older adults stay connected with their loved ones during an incredibly isolating time. That effort grew into a countywide isolation plan and sparked so many meaningful initiatives: the Virtual Volunteer Pilot Project, the Tech Buddies Support Program, and the Gateways Virtual Catalog. Each one reflected the heart of this community.

Lorye watched RideNoCo grow from an idea into a vital part of our region’s transportation network. A PAFC volunteer team brought Sound Affects to life—now a thriving nonprofit serving countless older adults. Loyre was also honored to help advance the Age-Friendly Workplace Initiative, supporting HR managers in building intergenerational workplaces and later helping older adults find meaningful employment opportunities.

Intergenerational conversations was one of her favorite events. These events connected young adults with older adults to have meaningful conversations and build bridges between generations.

While representing PAFC at the state level, Lorye was invited by the Governor’s former Senior Advisor on Aging to contribute an article about Larimer County and PAFC as part of the State’s original publication on Lifelong Colorado. 

In Fort Collins, she had found herself deeply moved by the blogs written about aging, often seeing her own experiences reflected in them. She also was an integral part of the educational videos that have been produced by PAFC and the many Lunch and Learns that helps our community grow in understanding and compassion.

Lorye has written the following to all readers of this newsletter:

 “I have been touched by the people I’ve met along the way—people who care deeply about aging, dignity, and community. Before PAFC, my work had always centered on youth and families. Stepping into the aging community opened my heart in ways I didn’t expect, and it has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life.

To everyone who has been part of this journey, I thank you. Your support, your kindness, and your belief in our shared mission have meant more than I can express. And to the Board of Directors, thank you for standing beside me with such steadiness and grace. Your support made all the difference.

As I step into my next chapter as Grant/Development Coordinator with Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary, I do so with a full heart. My lifelong love for animals has only grown as I became a Certified Canine Therapeutic Massage Therapist and continued my work as a Reiki Master Teacher and Practitioner working with animals. This transition is bittersweet, but I leave knowing that our community is stronger because of the services, partnerships, and innovations we built together over the past six years.

I wish each of you the very best. Thank you for walking alongside me, for believing in this work, and for supporting me so generously during my time at PAFC. I will always be grateful.”

All of us at PAFC are especially grateful for the energy and devotion that Lorye has given to our wonderful community organization. 

We appreciate Lorye’s steadfast support of our mission and are grateful for her desire to remain connected to the community she helped build in PAFC. We wish Lorye all continued success in her work at the animal sanctuary. We will miss her and deeply appreciate the introductory guidance that she has provided to Cheryl Noble in transitioning Cheryl, a long-time PAFCer, as our Interim Executive Director.

Best wishes Lorye!

(PS - Lorye was recently interviewed on KGNU radio in Boulder & Denver as part of AARP's support for their age-friendly communities. You can listen to Lorye, one last time, talk about the meaningful work PAFC is doing in Larimer County. The interview is 5 minutes long. Click here to listen.)

Coming Up:

Sesame 3G at CSU - Become an Adult Mentor and Cultivate Connection Across Three Generations.

Virtual Dementia Tour, February 13 & 14

Transportation Sign-up Fair - Aspen Club, Fort Collins:2-4 p.m. Monday, February 2

January, 2026 Creating a livable Larimer County

Read entire Newsletter here.