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Xcel employees, friends, family, and customers are taking part in the utility's Day of Service, helping nonprofits across the state.
For more than 15 years, Xcel Energy has hosted nearly 3,000 volunteers at more than 30 volunteer projects. For its Day of Service, the utility partners with nonprofits across Colorado.
In Denver, a memorial now stands Friday for the United Airlines workers killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"Destiny of Desire," an unapologetic homage to classic telenovela, opens on Friday night at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Name: Andrea (Andie) Carrillo
Title: Zoology Preparator
Education:
High School Diploma; Bachelor of Science in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, Emphasis in Wildlife Health from University of California Davis
Company Description:
Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Non-profit natural history museum in Denver.
Tell us more about your job.
I work in the Zoology Preparation Lab at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. My job is dissecting animals to preserve parts and data for researchers that are interested in learning more about wild mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Most of my day is spent dissecting, writing down specimen data, or getting parts of specimens through the process of preservation. I also take care of the flesh-eating beetle colony at the Museum and make sure they are happy and healthy while they help us clean skeletons.
Why is STEM important within your industry?
All of the letters in STEM are huge components of natural history museums. When guests come to the museum they see exhibits, research talks, and programs but they rarely see the work that goes into making these experiences a reality. Everyone at DMNS from IT, to exhibits, programs, to researchers, use STEM to make the Museum run smoothly.
My role at DMNS focuses on the Science part of STEM. Researchers need data to make scientific discoveries. The lab provides some of the necessary data and samples for generations of scientists.
Was there a specific moment when you decided you wanted to pursue STEM as a career?
I don't think there was a specific moment. I was first interested in science at around 6. I remember playing with insects in the big field at school instead of playing with my peers. I've always loved all animals and that fascination followed me into adulthood.
What do you like best about your job?
I like working hands-on with the animals. Working directly with animals gives me a greater appreciation for them.
What are the most important skills needed in your job?
I think patience is very important for my job. The tasks in the lab can get repetitive so having the patience to not rush a procedure is very important. Another useful skill is being able to adjust when things don't go according to plan. Not all the animals we work on will follow predictable procedures. Sometimes we need to get creative during the preservation process if the animal has broken bones or is more rotten than we initially thought.
Have there been times in your career when you've faced difficult challenges? How were you able to overcome them?
There have been plenty of challenges throughout my career. Overall, I've learned that being able to sit in how I'm feeling when faced with a challenge has been a great benefit. Taking stock about how I'm feeling and why has greatly improved by ability to face obstacles. After quietly reflecting and letting the emotions pass, I'm usually able to focus on solving the issues better than if I jump in right away. Having a good support system of people I can talk to has also been incredible. Without my friend's and family's emotional support, I would not be able to face many of the challenges that I've faced in my career
Are there any hobbies, sports, or other interests of yours that have helped you excel in your career? I've always enjoyed crafting. I especially enjoy really meticulous tasks like embroidery, crochet, and jewelry making. Having that attention to detail before ever dissecting an animal was a great asset. Additionally, I also like staying active by spending time outside and lifting weights. Staying strong helps on days when we're moving heavy animals around the lab.
What advice would you give to girls of all ages who are interested in STEM?
I'd say that you should follow your interests wherever that goes. You might not end up in STEM, but knowing what you enjoy and what you don't is a great place to start. You don't have to know exactly you want to do right away and sampling a bit of all kinds of STEM can point you towards a career or hobby you'll love.
Any additional thoughts on why it's important to get more girls involved in STEM?
I think we need girls and femmes in STEM so we can have better femme representation in STEM data. All aspects of STEM have seen girls excluded from datasets, decision making, and algorithms. Without girls in positions to bring up biases, girls and femmes will continue to be excluded from datasets. Lack of representation can have negative impacts on girl's health, safety, and lead to inaccurate science.
As Colorado remembers those lost in the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, a new 9/11 memorial was unveiled at the headquarters of the Colorado Army and Air National Guard.
Xcel employees, friends, family, and customers are taking part in the utility's Day of Service, helping nonprofits across the state.
In Denver, a memorial now stands Friday for the United Airlines workers killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman says he opposes an effort by the Trump administration to revoke temporary protected status from Salvadorans.
APD says a woman accused of stealing an older victim's necklace in a grocery store parking lot may be connected to other so-called "blessing scams," a type of jewelry theft investigators say has surfaced about a dozen times in the city over the past year.
The Roosevelt Rough Riders faced off against the Windsor Wizards on Friday night, winning 34-7. The night also served a special purpose, honoring those who serve in the military.
Twenty-five years ago, the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks fundamentally changed our world. As Colorado remembers that day, a new 9/11 memorial was unveiled at the Colorado Army and Air National Guard headquarters.
A Colorado State Patrol Trooper intentionally hit a wrong-way driver head on in an effort to protect other drivers on the road. He spoke with CBS Colorado, saying he is proud of the decision he made to stop the threat in its tracks.
The Aurora Police Department is warning the public about a scam often targeting older and non-English speakers. APD says a woman accused of stealing an older victim's necklace in a grocery store parking lot may be connected to other so-called "blessing scams," a type of jewelry theft investigators say has surfaced about a dozen times in the city over the past year.
The Aurora Police Department is warning the public about a scam often targeting older and non-English speakers.
Ben Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz's title reign in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, pulling out the victory in a marathon tussle that ended at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday.
The Broncos are highlighting their stadium's new food and drink options for their upcoming 2026 season.
The Border War between Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming returns this weekend, continuing one of the oldest rivalries in college football.
At the U.S. Open, artificial intelligence is giving players and fans a new way to experience the tournament.
Playing together at the U.S. Open in New York for the first time in four years, Serena and Venus Williams lost in a three-set thriller match in the first round of the women's doubles tournament.
The CIA released 71 reports from the months and years leading up to 9/11, providing a new look at what the spy agency told two presidents before the deadly strikes.
A mistrial was declared in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy after jurors could not reach a unanimous decision. One of the jurors shares details on their deliberations in an interview with Gayle King.
An American Airlines reservations agent who took Betty Ong's historic 9/11 call recalls the flight attendant's bravery.
The report comes at a pivotal moment for the Federal Reserve, which is scheduled to meet next week to decide whether to hike interest rates.
One Canadian whiskey maker has found a workaround to Trump's Canadian alcohol ban.
The CIA released 71 reports from the months and years leading up to 9/11, providing a new look at what the spy agency told two presidents before the deadly strikes.
One Canadian whiskey maker has found a workaround to Trump's Canadian alcohol ban.
The trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three other alleged 9/11 plotters is scheduled to begin in June 2028.
Four former presidents were at the World Trade Center memorial site for 9/11 commemorations, while President Trump spoke at the Pentagon.
Mr. Trump's pledge to give $5,000 to Americans would stoke inflation and worsen the nation's fiscal outlook, according to economists.
Employer health benefit costs are projected to see the steepest increase next year since 2003. That could mean higher deductions and out-of-pocket costs for workers.
Arapahoe County Public Health has invested money to support moms and families through a bilingual doula program. Doulas are trained to give support before, during and after birth.
Lindsay Clancy's case is resonating with moms across the U.S. — bringing into focus the spectrum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and the lack of resources for many women.
Clean air advocates are asking local and state leaders in Colorado to act on the unhealthy ozone levels and their impacts.
If passed, the legislation would expand eligibility for residents in 57 Colorado zip codes to get compensation based on a list of eligible diseases and cancers, and would include coverage for workers and residents known as "downwinders."
The report comes at a pivotal moment for the Federal Reserve, which is scheduled to meet next week to decide whether to hike interest rates.
One Canadian whiskey maker has found a workaround to Trump's Canadian alcohol ban.
The development of AI "doesn't look that different from say, 'Terminator,' or from science fiction films," Jacob Coxon said.
The price of diesel has soared more than 60% over the last year, a surge energy experts say is likely to continue. Here's why.
Mr. Trump's pledge to give $5,000 to Americans would stoke inflation and worsen the nation's fiscal outlook, according to economists.
Evergreen High has two new members of its community -- two dogs whose presence has become part of the daily rhythm of the school, offering students and staff something they desperately needed after a shooting shattered their sense of safety.
Denver's Board of Ethics voted unanimously to investigate two complaints against City Attorney Miko Brown.
A former student and her parents are suing a church and school, alleging officials failed to protect the girl from a music director who they say sexually assaulted her when she was 13 and then failed to properly respond when concerns surfaced.
Despite having health insurance, families in Colorado have been hit with massive medical bills after their babies spent time in NICUs.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's security detail drew his gun on a man at Union Station last week, the mayor's office said Monday.