Kathi Wright for Loveland

Positive Constructive Leadership

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Learn About Kathi Get Involved

After listening and learning this past 20 months, and living in Loveland 40+ years,

Some issues where I will put my effort in the hope that we can THRIVE:

  • Maintaining the safety and quality of life amenities we treasure
  • Retaining a sense of community as we grow
  • Working to insure we can walk, ride bikes, or buses, and not just sit in our cars in traffic
  • Continuing to expand open space around us
  • Determining ways to help insure that citizens of our community can find a home that fits them
  • Contributing in ways that insure businesses in every area of Loveland are thriving

 

About Kathi

Kathi Wright attended Kearney State College, and her first job was at the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce.

After seven years, and promotion to Assistant Director, she moved to Loveland, Colorado in 1978.

She has worked for Kodak, Poudre Valley Hospital, Duke Publishing, Miniscribe, and the city of Loveland 13 years.

While working at City of Loveland, she began volunteering at a local teen center.  She ended up as the Board President for several years, and merged that teen center with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County.

In October, 1999, after ten years of volunteering, she resigned from the Board and was selected by an interview team to become the Executive Director.

Kathi has been awarded:

  • 2003 Executive of the Year for the SW Region
  • 2008 Team Fort Collins Key Leader of the Year
  • 2009 Colorado Lions Foundation Humanitarian Award
  • 2009 Grand Marshall of Loveland’s Corn Roast Parade
  • 2013 Jim Wetherington Southwesterner Award.  This honor is presented to a Boys & Girls club leader in the region whose passion for the mission and ideals match those of Mr. Wetherington, a 37 year leader in the Boys and Girls Club movement.
  • 2016 Biz West magazine Women of Distinction honoree in the Nonprofit-Human Services category.
  • 2017 Kathi and her professional partner, James, won the Chamber of Commerce Dancing with the Stars competition.
  • 2019 Member of Water Literate Leaders presented by Colorado State University and Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.

While Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County, she led capital campaigns and built two new 20,000 s.f. clubs – Fort Collins in 2001 and Loveland in 2009.

Kathi retired from Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County in March of 2018.

Kathi is currently a member of Thompson Valley Rotary Club, where she participates on the 4-Way Test Committee, is a camp counselor at Young Rotary Youth Leadership Award camp, and volunteers with the Duck Race.

She is a past member and past President of the Loveland Philo Club.  She has been active with Thompson School District serving the Garfield Elementary PTO/SAAC and the Master Plan Committee.

She also served as a United Way volunteer for many years, serving as a loaned executive and as Special Events Coordinator.  She also volunteered on the Allocations panel.

Kathi is mom to Joe, age 27.

Endorsements

“Loveland to me has truly been a land of love. When I moved here and started my little photography business 10 years ago, I found support and encouragement here that I didn’t find even in neighboring towns. I was a registered Democrat until a few months ago when I got fed up with the two-party system altogether and switched to unaffiliated. I see voters of both parties holding to their party label rather than actually thinking about the people running under those labels, and what those people are doing.

When I see our ‘Democrat’ mayor ask the IRS to look into the McWhinney boys, it sounds a lot like someone asking the Ukraine to look into the Biden boy. When I see a ‘Fort Collins’ committee touting transparency, yet refusing to disclose their finances to this city (while only running nonsense attack ads that affect our city) it looks like the stuff both Democrats and Republicans lambast each other for.

I see the our Mayor so vehemently defend Downtown Loveland (where she lives) that it’s becoming clear she doesn’t really care about your quality of life if you live in the rest of Loveland. This is tearing at the very fabric of Loveland—turning Loveland into a fight of downtown vs east and west; a fight of democrat vs Republican; a fight of citizens vs business… as if we’re not all here in the same community together.

This truly has been the Land of Love, and the ‘dark underbelly’ the Mayor is claiming to expose will prove to be warm and fuzzy. But don’t take my word for it. Take the time to meet the McWhinneys, to watch the local candidate debate or attend their meet-and-greets. Attend the Chamber’s Leadership Loveland program and see for yourself what’s going on. I encourage you to shake off the party labels and form your own opinions. John Fogle and Kathi Wright sport opposing party labels. Yet they are both caring, smart, and happy to work together in the best interests of all of Loveland. They are who will repair the community when elected.”

Christina Gressianu
Loveland Photographer
Co-Owner, The Gressiwick

“I wanted to take a moment and share my thoughts on Kathi Wright. I met Kathi during her faithful leadership of the Boys and Girls Club. Her love, compassion, and dedication of the youth in our community was impressed upon me. When she ran for city council, I have to admit that I wasn’t sure if she was the right person. However she demonstrated that same high quality of character, love, and compassion for the city of Loveland and added value to the council as a whole. I have watched her character and demeanor as demonstrated from the dais and she has proven her ability to lead. If you are struggle with who to vote for as Mayor, I encourage you to speak with Kathi and listen to her heart and vision for Loveland. You will discover as I have that she is a voice and a fighter for the community and understands the importance of primary jobs to help families overcome financial struggles and increase sales revenue for our future growth. Thank you.”

Kevin Cox
Loveland Resident

“Kathi has been a member of the Loveland Community for over 40 years and has given of herself to the community selflessly through leadership roles throughout those years.

As Boys & Girls Club director, she led the care and development of Loveland youth that will benefit our community for years to come. Kathi is still very involved in the Boys & Girls Club as an active volunteer and is continuing to develop our youths today.

After retiring from the Boys & Girls Club, Kathi stepped into an active role with United Way and continues her community involvement and tireless leadership with focus on making Loveland the best it can be.

As a City Council member, Kathi stands for the entire community, not just a subsection of the community. Her active involvement in city commissions and other city efforts speaks for itself in that she is looking out for Loveland as a whole. Kathi will not be swayed by special interests represented by some in city government. She will carefully consider all sides of an issue and represent all segments of the community as a balanced and visionary leader who understands Loveland and our needs now and in the future.

I cannot think of anyone who will represent Loveland more objectively and honestly with an open mind than Kathi Wright. That is why I’m voting for Kathi and am asking you to do the same.”

Phyllis Moore
Loveland Resident

“Kathi Wright is definitely the right choice for mayor of Loveland. Her dedication and commitment to improving Loveland is evident through her decades of volunteering and working in our community. Over the years you may have gotten to know her during her volunteer work at Garfield Elementary School, or perhaps you’ve seen her leading a Rotary event or being honored as the grand marshall of the Loveland Corn Roast parade.

Kathi is consistently focused on bringing people together in order to create positive outcomes. She may be best known for her 26 years of leadership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County. Kathi recognized the intense needs of our youth and set out to advocate for a solution. While executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County, she led capital campaigns and built two incredible 20,000-square-foot clubs for children and teens — Fort Collins in 2001 and Loveland in 2009. These clubs were the direct result of her enthusiasm and determination.

As current or former elected officials, we have each had the chance to work with Kathi and to witness the profound impact that her advocacy has had in Loveland. Kathi has positively transformed the lives of thousands of families. Her vast experience, her leadership skills, and her vision to create a strong community of diverse citizens who work together cooperatively make Kathi Wright the right choice for Loveland mayor.”

Cecil Gutierrez
Former Loveland Mayor

Pam Howard
Vice President – Thompson School District Board of Education

Lori Hvizda Ward
President – Thompson School District Board of Education

Leah Johnson
Loveland City Councilor

“I first met Kathi Wright when we worked together on a Rotary fundraiser for Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County. Her special smile and persuasive manner made me say yes when invited to sit on the board of the organization. For five years I served and got to know Kathi’s leadership style.

Collaboration, vision and teamwork are the hallmarks of that style.

Kathi currently represents Ward II on the Loveland City Council and is running under the tagline “Positive, Constructive Leadership.” Her emphasis is to support plans and projects that retain our sense of community while working with partners such as business, non-profits and cultural services. Of particular interest are projects that bring primary jobs to Loveland.

Kathi is running for mayor to help bring balance and positivity to the council.

Until her retirement last year, Wright led the Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County from an organization serving dozens of kids to one with six locations that serves thousands of kids. She raised money to build the Fort Collins and Loveland clubs and managed budgets of over $2 million.

Besides her nonprofit experience, Wright also has solid business credibility — she started her career at the Kearney, Neb., Chamber of Commerce, where for six years she helped build the business community there.

Kathi’s approach to studying the key issues in our city is solid. She’s attended meetings to learn about water, transportation, broadband, homelessness, innovative sentencing and cultural resources. This “learner” method gives Kathi a broad understanding of the issues that face our community and shows her primary virtue as a true servant leader.

I urge you to participate, contribute and serve this wonderful community of Loveland. Just like Kathi does.

Please join me in voting for Kathi Wright for mayor.”

Lee Porter
Loveland Resident

“I urge your support for Kathi Wright for mayor of Loveland. Of all the candidates, Kathi is most adept and committed to working with varied interests to help Loveland move forward, not backward. During her long tenure as executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County, she met and worked with people from all walks of life, all political persuasions, government, private and nonprofits — all to help improve the lives of our children in Larimer County. Boys & Girls Club services and opportunities expanded exponentially during Kathi’s time as director — her efforts in that position will benefit our community years into the future.

Kathi knows how not to make enemies or alienate people; rather, she knows how to find common ground to accomplish shared goals for making this city as good as it can be. I have known Kathi for a long time and seen her commitment, energy, and passion in action. Please give her your vote for mayor of Loveland.”

Denise A. Bretting

Loveland Resident

“It is with great pleasure and excitement that I endorse Kathi Wright as a candidate for Mayor of Loveland.   As Mayor of Loveland almost 40 years ago I was privileged to work with Kathi at that time.  She’s been deeply involved in our community ever since.  She’ll do a great job.” 

Ray Reeb
Former Loveland Mayor

“I have known Kathi for almost 3 decades and have and watched her strong leadership ability bring innovation, opportunity, and value to every program, effort and person she is involved with.  Her commitment, compassion, and heart has built and expanded the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County to what they are today.  Their success was achieved through Kathi’s persistence and ability to build a strong, unified vision by engaging ideas and people, actively listening to all, developing relationships and bringing the never-ending positive “can do” attitude that builds unified support.  Kathi has turned her efforts to the City of Loveland and is ready to channel her leadership skills for the betterment of the Loveland community as Mayor. I am endorsing Kathi for Mayor because she listens, will provide strong leadership, and has an understanding and respect for everyone.” 

Kathy Gilliland
Former Loveland Mayor

“In a community that seems to be full of voices who are yelling at each other, calling names, and more concerned about being heard than listening, John Fogle and Kathi Wright are both working hard to make (and keep) Loveland a great place to live.

I am happy to endorse John Fogle for City Council in Ward 3, and Kathi Wright for Mayor. They are thoughtful and reasonable, and they care about Loveland deeply. That is the kind of leadership that we need.

John Fogle’s tenacious work on bringing fiber optic municipal broadband to Loveland is exemplary of the kind of work he has done on council. John has put in countless hours working to bring Loveland into the 21st century, even when it wasn’t understood or supported by some other members of council. Without his determination and tech-savvy, we wouldn’t be moving forward on this very important issue.

And, we still need John Fogle’s leadership on council to ensure that wise decisions are made as we move into this next phase of implementing municipal broadband.

Kathi Wright is kind and caring. She is thoughtful and tenacious. Her steadfast work as executive director for the boys and girls club of Larimer County created a safe space for thousands of youth to grow up in our community.

Kathi is the kind of leader that we can count on to listen and work as a team with the rest of council (regardless of who that is), with the business community, and with all of the citizens of Loveland.

Please vote. And when you do, choose reasonable thoughtful leaders, who are collaborative, not divisive.

We need to work together for the betterment of ALL of Loveland!”

Thanks,
Vi Wickam
Loveland Resident

“I went to a ‘Meet the candidate’ event at ‘Origins’ this morning, where I met Kathi Wright who is running for mayor of Loveland. She has an impressive resume, strong bonds with the community and I was impressed with her knowledge and her vision for the future. Thanks Kathi for taking the time to share your views.”

Leonardus Grassens

“We support you Kathi as you take on the adventure of running for Loveland’s mayor!!!! Such a nice visit with you!!! Go get em Kathi!!!”

Karen James
Loveland Resident

“I am excited to endorse Kathi Wright for mayor. She is the one candidate who has proven that she can be collaborative to get things done. Her main interest is seeing that Loveland continues to be the wonderful place where we all choose to live.

Kathi has the experience of working with people from all walks of life to accomplish some incredible goals. I recall when the Boys and Girls Club inhabited a very small building on West 10th Street. Her ability to develop and share a long-term vision with the community has resulted in the expansion of services to the youths in our community that is phenomenal. This was accomplished by bringing people together in a positive way.

Kathi has brought that same positive ‘can do’ attitude to City Council. We need that kind of visionary, collaborative and positive leader as mayor. Kathi understands that we need businesses of every size for Loveland to remain a vibrant city. Her vision of providing quality transportation choices is excellent, and she supports maintaining our superior infrastructure. Kathi Wright is not encumbered by political dogma or building a political career. It’s all about Loveland. Please join me in electing the ‘Wright mayor’!”

Cecil Gutierrez
Former Loveland Mayor