To foster a culture of lifelong learning and maximize value for all participants, we are excited to introduce several updates for the 2025–2026 Cohort:

  1. New Cohort Structure: Small mentee groups will be led by co-mentors, creating a collaborative learning environment.
  2. Cohort: Cohorts will be thoughtfully formed based on mentees’ ranked areas of interest and functional focus, such as marketing, sales, or operations. While this isn’t a precise one-to-one matching process, we aim to align each group in a way that fosters relevant guidance, shared learning, and strong mentor engagement.
  3. Program Fee: A per mentee program fee of $100 to support two in-person meetings and encourage mentee commitment. If $100 presents a financial hardship and you’d like to explore scholarship opportunities, please email info@naturallycolorado.org.

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Naturally Colorado Mentor Program

The Naturally Colorado Mentor Program is a guided Cohort experience designed to support early-stage startups, deepen connection, accelerate learning, and share real-world insight from those who’ve built and scaled within Colorado’s natural and organic ecosystem. Each Cohort brings together two seasoned mentors and up to six mentees in a dynamic, high-trust environment where honest conversations, shared challenges, and meaningful guidance can take root.

Over the course of 6–8 weeks, Cohorts meet regularly in structured, mentor-led group sessions focused on key areas such as go-to-market strategy, retail readiness, team-building, fundraising, or values-led growth. These sessions are rooted in candid storytelling, active listening, and mutual accountability—aligned with Naturally Colorado’s commitment to community-first learning. Mentees are encouraged to bring real-time business questions and offer support to one another between meetings, creating a collaborative, peer-supported culture.

The program culminates in a reflection session where Cohort members share takeaways, celebrate growth, and identify ways to stay connected within the broader Naturally Colorado network. This is not about formal instruction—it’s about relationships, relevance, and rising together.

Member Benefits

  • Grow your in the natural and organic products industry network and Colorado community
  • Engage in cross-generational learning with your peers and experienced leaders
  • Strengthen your dedication to practicing leadership skills, at the mentee and mentor level
  • Learn critical skills specific to the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry from industry professional
  • Get real-world insight on key business challenges
  • Build lasting connections and shared momentum
  • Stay rooted in purpose and community

Time Commitment & Cohort Structure

Cohorts will consist of two mentors and up to six mentees. Each group will meet once a month for six months, bringing together aspiring founders/operators and entrepreneurs in a supportive environment to share knowledge, wisdom, and real-world industry experience.

The six-month program runs from September 2025 to February 2026, consisting of:

  • Two in-person sessions (beginning and end of the program)
  • Four virtual monthly sessions with your assigned mentorship Cohort

Cohort assignments will remain the same for the duration of the program to help forge strong relationships among group members.



Cohort Formation

Cohorts will be thoughtfully formed based on mentees’ ranked areas of interest and functional focus, such as marketing, sales, or operations. While this isn’t a precise one-to-one matching process, we aim to align each group in a way that fosters relevant guidance, shared learning, and strong mentor engagement.

Applications

Are now closed for the 2025 - 2026 cohort.

Participating as a mentee in the Naturally Colorado Mentor Program will allow you to grow personally and professionally. You will connect with two mentors and a small group of CPG entrepreneurs who will actively engage in each session, sharing their knowledge and discussing real-world challenges and solutions.

Benefits of Mentorship
  • Further your development as a professional
  • Learn critical skills specific to the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry from industry professional
  • Learn from functional experts to help support the growth of your business
  • Increase your network of connections in the Colorado natural and organic products industry
Requirements
  • Current member of Naturally Colorado
  • Early-stage startup that is post-launch and be $5M or less in annual revenue
  • Have a CPG product in market and be selling through in retail, e-commerce, or farmers markets
  • Looking to scale your business to the next level
Responsibilities
  • Actively participate in all six scheduled sessions (one absence permitted, if necessary)
  • Engage with both mentors and fellow mentees
  • Come prepared to discuss your business challenges and goals
  • Contribute to group discussions and collaborative learning
Program Fee

There is a $100 per mentee fee to cover in-person programming costs. If $100 presents a financial hardship and you’d like to explore scholarship opportunities, please email info@naturallycolorado.org.

Volunteering as a mentor in the Naturally Colorado Mentor Program is a great way to give back to the vibrant natural and organic products community here in Colorado. As a mentor, you will help facilitate the career development of entrepreneurs all while gathering fresh insights and growing as a leader. Become a mentor today!

Benefits of Mentoring
  • Give back to the natural and organic products community
  • Experience a new perspective in your career
  • Grow professionally and personally by teaching others
  • Expand your network of connections to include bright up-and-coming entrepreneurs
Requirements
  • Strong functional expertise with knowledge to share
  • Ability to relate to early-stage business challenges
  • In an expansion or established brand stage
Responsibilities
  • Partner with a fellow mentor to co-lead a Cohort of six mentees
  • Co-facilitate four virtual Cohort discussions
  • Attend both in-person sessions
  • Commit time and energy to supporting mentees’ success
  • Have access to and knowledge of video meeting platforms 
  • Engage in the Mentor Program Slack community (not required, but highly encouraged)
Co-Mentoring Structure

This year is a new Cohort structure–small mentee groups (maximum of 6) will be led by two co-mentors, creating a collaborative learning environment.

We encourage mentors to work together in shaping the flow of each 90-minute session—sharing the space, building on each other’s experiences, and guiding the discussion. You might choose to alternate who kicks things off, respond to mentee questions as a pair, or focus on different aspects of a topic based on your strengths. The goal is to create a conversational, flexible environment where your combined insights help mentees navigate real challenges and opportunities.

Naturally Colorado can provide light structure or suggested themes, but we trust your instincts in making each session feel authentic, useful, and grounded in shared experience.

Fall 2025 Program Timeline

Session 1, September 10, 2025: In-person kick off meeting from 5-8 pm MT at Park Hill Innovation Hub
Session 2, Week of October 13, 2025: Virtual mentor-led group discussion
Session 3, Week of November 10, 2025: Virtual mentor-led group discussion
Session 4, Week of December 8, 2025: Virtual mentor-led group discussion
Session 5, Week of January 12, 2026: Virtual mentor-led group discussion
Session 6, February 11, 2026: In-person program wrap up from 5-8 pm MT at Park Hill Innovation Hub

Fall 2025 Cohort Application Dates

Applications are now closed.

Testimonials

From Naturally Boulder’s founding and through my time on the Board, our presence always extended well beyond Boulder. Naturally Colorado is a perfect evolution of our original mission and perfect for the amazing set of entrepreneurial communities across our great state

~ Doug Radi – President, Sweet Loren’s

The expansion of Naturally Boulder into Naturally Colorado is a pivotal moment for the natural and organic products community. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the innovation and passion that fuels this industry, I can confidently say that this growth will unlock tremendous opportunities.

~ TJ McIntyre – CEO, BOBO’S

Naturally Colorado opens the opportunity to broaden the reach and impact of the natural and organic products community throughout the entire state of Colorado. This will allow the organization to leverage its strong foundation and success in Boulder to inspire and support more brands across diverse regions and sectors.​

~ Mark Retzloff, founder of Naturally Boulder and board advisor for Naturally Colorado

The Naturally Boulder community was vital to scaling the Justin’s organization and with the expansion to Naturally Colorado I’m looking forward to seeing how many other companies and people can benefit from this valuable network.

~ Justin Gold, founder of Justin’s Nut Butter

You all have built and fostered an incredibly supportive community for brands, and the awesome people behind them, to take part in. Our top hats are off to you for your dedication to helping great brands get their footing and thrive.

~ Ben F. & Stacy M., Cappello’s

I am grateful for the relationships that were made and believe we will be in contact for a long time. I would definitely do it again.

~ 2021 Mentor

Thank you SO MUCH for this opportunity! A huge value add.

~ 2021 Mentee

My biggest takeaway from this experience was the importance of good sound advise to young businesses and the entrepreneurs that are running them. Advise that is free from experienced veterans where no question is dumb, they can learn industry lingo, pitfalls and understand the importance of pricing.

~ 2021 Mentor

There is much more in my control than I realized, and my perspective on my personal power has changed.

~ 2021 Mentee

Great to meet someone I would not have met otherwise.

~ 2021 Mentor

It’s an understatement to say it’s worth every penny. We are deeply fortunate to have access to the experience and community that Naturally Colorado provides. Thank you for everyone’s hard work and all the support you’re providing.

~ Cherie Strain, Pee Cloths for Women

Naturally Colorado is terrific at creating awareness of sponsors to the general membership. I highly recommend sponsorship to any business looking to grow in the natural products world.

~ Doug Draper, Acme Distribution Centers

I love the way they support us local USDA certified organic growers! We have been members for years! Great resource!

~ Lily Morgan, Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care

How lucky are we to have such an incredible organization and group of people who are so supportive and encouraging for us small startups!!

~ Jamie Leigh

Amazing community to connect with whether you are in natural food or not. As a cofounder in the industry I have benefited from the immense amount of wisdom they have. I love the events and all the help I have received.

~ Charlie Stewart, Green Belly Foods

Naturally Colorado Mentor Program FAQs

How much time must I commit to the Mentor Program?

The mentoring commitment takes place over the course of six months from September 2025 – February 2026. We ask that you commit to attending the two in-person sessions at the start and end of the program as well as four virtual monthly sessions with your assigned Cohort. One absence is permitted, if necessary.

What if I am not assigned a group? Should I re-apply next year?

Yes! You may not be accepted because we have exceeded the number of spaces available in a Cohort or because we did not have a mentor or Cohort that fit with your expressed areas of interest. These will change with each Cohort offered, so please do apply again. 

How long should I wait to receive a response on whether a match has been made?

We will notify you no later than August 11th to confirm acceptance of your application and share next steps.

Upon acceptance, we will follow up with an invoice for the Mentor Program and a commitment to the program schedule.

Is there anyone I can contact if I cannot establish a productive relationship with my small group?

Our Mentor Program Committee is dedicated to helping you make the most out of your mentoring relationship. If you have any concerns that you wish to communicate about your mentoring relationship or Cohort, we encourage you to contact info@naturallycolorado.org

Can I be paired with another Mentor or Mentee automatically at the end of the program?

To ensure fairness to your fellow Naturally Colorado members also interested in the Mentor Program, you may re-apply for another program period after your engagement ends. If you elect to re-apply, our Mentor Program Committee will review your application as they would with a new applicant to determine if a match can be made, with new applicants being matched first if possible.

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