Becky moved to Colorado Springs in 1980, starting a career in Forestry and Arboriculture that spanned over 40 years. She and her husband, Al made Colorado Springs their home and raised 2 children and multiple golden retrievers in the Skyway area. Hiking, running and trees are her passion. Becky especially loves exploring unknown and historic trails and seeking out large and old trees. She has been dedicated to the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon since its early days and believes strongly in caring for and being a good steward of our public spaces. The Cañon holds a special place in her heart.
Gary Carollo - Treasurer
Gary was born in Milwaukee but from the time he was two he was raised in southwest Colorado Springs. He graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School. His first summer job was at Seven Falls as a parking lot attendant. He received his undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Gary has served two full-time missionary assignments in Mexico City, the first when he was just out of college for two years and the second after he retired for one and a half years. His chosen field was law enforcement and he retired from Colorado Springs Police Department after a total of twenty-five years.
He has been married thirty-two years and is the father of four children and grandfather of four grandchildren. Gary has lived in Marion, Alabama, Chelan, Washington, San Antonio, Texas, and Provo, Utah. He enjoys reading, weightlifting, long distance hiking, mountain biking, gardening, and birding. He volunteers as a Temple and Family History Leader at his church, a trail worker with RMFI, and recently as a Master Gardner Apprentice with CSU Extension.
Gary says, “I have loved North Cheyenne Canyon since the time when I celebrated my third birthday at the Mesa Picnic area until now when I wander the Columbine Trail to Helen Hunt Falls. All of us long for a sense of place and purpose in life. John Muir had Yosemite and I have the Canyon. I am happy to be able to give back some small amount of the joy that I have gained from the Canyon by serving in whatever capacity with the Friends of Cheyenne Canyon.”
Sydney Wegner - Secretary
Sydney is a Colorado Springs native. Growing up on the southwest side of the city, Sydney visited North Cheyenne Cañon Park regularly with her family to hike the trails and visit both Starsmore and Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Centers. As she grew up, Sydney followed in her parents footsteps of continuing to hike and added trail running to her list of hobbies. In high school, Sydney was on the Teen Board where she volunteered for 3 years, helping the “adult” board prepare and set up events such as the annual Halloween Carnival. Over the years, Sydney continued to run and hike in the Cañon as well as volunteer each summer at Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center. She joined the FOCC board in January of 2023 and loves to put on the Canya Cañon Trail Race and Family Hike each November. Sydney is happy to serve on a board in a place that she considers home.
Kelsey Yoder - Board Member
Kelsey Yoder is a writer, educator, and community builder with roots in Southern Colorado. Her commitment to land and water conservation is fueled by a lifelong love of outdoor recreation — hiking, biking, climbing, rafting — and an interest in local agriculture. Whether organizing trail workdays, managing social media, or supporting park events, Kelsey works to connect people with the natural beauty and history of North Cheyenne Cañon. Kelsey believes caring for our shared and sacred spaces builds strong, inclusive, resilient communities.
