On September 3, 2025, a group of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders gathered in Boulder, Colorado for an evening of honest dialogue about workplace mental health, recovery, and the role of employers in reducing stigma. The event, hosted by Carmela Weber and David Secunda, took place at their home, the historic Hannah Barker House, a landmark long recognized as a hub for public gatherings and civic engagement in Boulder.
A Shared Commitment to Recovery Friendly Workplaces
The gathering was part of the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative®, a statewide program that helps businesses adopt policies and practices to support employees affected by substance use disorders. The initiative focuses on individuals in recovery and promotes overall workplace health, safety, and well-being. Attendees heard from leaders across sectors who are integrating recovery friendly approaches into their organizations.
Ken Kupfner, Assistant District Attorney for the Boulder County DA’s Office, spoke about the legal profession’s evolving role in addressing substance use, “For many years, issues like substance use and mental health in the legal field were treated almost exclusively as disciplinary matters. We’re flipping the script. In my 25-plus years with the DA’s office, I’ve seen a real shift toward recognizing these as health issues and building supports, rather than barriers. That change has made us stronger as a profession and as a community.”
Emily Strong of Footer’s Catering highlighted how essential recovery-friendly practices are in food service and hospitality: “Our industry is uniquely vulnerable. Workers, and sometimes even guests, may face exposure to psychoactive substances, and overdoses can and do happen. For us, being a recovery friendly workplace isn’t optional; it’s critical. We need to be prepared and proactive to protect our people and serve our community responsibly.”
The Power of Personal Stories
The evening also featured a moving personal account from Al Secunda, MBA and graduate of CU’s Leeds School of Business, who shared his own lived experience as a person in recovery navigating multiple workplaces, “Recovery is a personal journey, and full of potential landmines. I’ve faced real pressures and challenges in my career, and not every workplace has been supportive. That’s why the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative is so important. It’s about giving employees the chance to succeed while building workplaces that are healthier and more compassionate. It's about shining daylight on a conversation that's far overdue.”
Practical Tools for Employers
In addition to sharing stories and strategies, each business leader left with an Overdose Emergency Kit, which included a box of Naloxone, sterile gloves, rescue breathing mask, and other supplies. The kits serve as a practical reminder that preparation and compassion go hand in hand in supporting employee well-being and community health.
Carrying the Movement Forward
As the evening closed, David Secunda, founder and CEO of Avid4 Adventure, encouraged participants to continue building on the momentum by taking the next step to supporting individuals in recovery. “We’ve already made small, yet significant steps at Avid4 Adventure,” Secunda said, “We hosted a mocktail event where staff won prizes for creative creations. This signaled a shift in how we celebrate at our organization while supporting team member health, safety, and well-being.” The intimate setting and engaged dialogue underscored a powerful message: small business owners are uniquely positioned to lead Colorado’s Recovery Friendly Workplace effort
Are you ready to join the 120+ Colorado employers participating in RFW? Sign the pledge at: https://corecoveryfriendlyworkplace.org/letter-of-intent-pledge-form/.
About the Centers for Health, Work & Environment
The Centers for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE) educates and trains future leaders, conducts research, and designs and implements practical solutions to occupational safety and health challenges. CHWE collaborates with faculty, students, and community partners to advance worker health, safety, and well-being. Part of the Colorado School of Public Health, it is home to one of 10 nationwide Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®, the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC), and the Climate Impacts on Worker Health & Safety (CIWHS) Center. CHWE is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.
About the Colorado School of Public Health
The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top-tier faculty and students from across the country and providing a vital contribution towards ensuring our region’s health and well-being. Collaboratively formed in 2008 by the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado, the Colorado School of Public Health provides training, innovative research, and community service to actively address public health issues, including chronic disease, access to health care, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and costly injuries. For more information about ColoradoSPH, please visit https://coloradosph.cuanschutz.edu