School Nutrition Contact Information

• Phone: 303-866-6661
• Mail: 1580 Logan Street, Suite 760, Denver, CO 80203-1942

Brehan Riley, MS, RD, SNS

Director

riley_b@cde.state.co.us
P  303-866-6299  C  720-202-3338

• Manages all Child Nutrition Programs administered by CDE; determines program goals and objectives.
• Formulates, interprets and implements state and federal statutes, rules and regulations for the Child Nutrition Programs
• Provides leadership and expertise in planning, developing, promoting, implementing, and evaluating Child Nutrition Programs
• Oversees budgets related to federal and state funding
• Liaison to Colorado School Nutrition Association (CSNA)

Amanda Mercer, MS, RD

Nutrition Programs Supervisor

mercer_a@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6659

• Interprets regulations and develops and disseminates written guidance to ensure compliance with federal, state, local policies and rules and regulations for all participating entities
• Plans, develops, implements and evaluates child nutrition programs to meet changing priorities that support the mission of the program
• Oversees the development of outreach activities to expand the scope and effectiveness of child nutrition programs
• Coordinates and oversees child nutrition-related grant activities.

Lyza Shaw, MS

Business Operations Supervisor

shaw_l@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6670

• Assists with the financial management aspects of the Child Nutrition Program
• Resource Management of the Administrative Review
• Fiscal management and financial reporting
• Meal Counting and Claiming - Claim Reimbursements
• Procurement
• Unpaid Meal Charges

Kerri Link, MS, RD, SNS

Nutrition Programs Review Supervisor​

link_k@cde.state.co.us
303-866-3686

• Coordinates Administrative Review Process
• Lead for nutrient analysis protocols
• New School Food Authorities (SFAs)

Ashley Moen, MS, RD, SNS

Summer Meal Programs Supervisor

moen_a@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6653

• Coordinates and oversees the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

Grants Fiscal Analyst for Nutrition

Brittany Shores (303-866-6911)

• Meal Counting and Claiming - Claim Reimbursements
  • Claim processing questions

Gabriella Warner, MS, RD

Principal Consultant

warner_g@cde.state.co.us
720-827-5144

• Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger Initiatives 
• Program participation 
• Meal quality and culinary initiatives 
• Strategic partnerships 

Erica Boyd, RD

Senior Consultant

boyd_e@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6306

• Afterschool Snack Program (ASP)
• Competitive Foods
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program 
• Pre-K Meal Pattern
• Smart Snacks
• Special Milk Program (SMP)

Rachael Burnham, BA, SNS

Principal Consultant

burnham_r@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6450

• Direct Certification
• Meal Counting and Claiming
• School Meal Eligibility
• Verification

Megan Johnson, RD, SNS

Procurement Principal Consultant

johnson_m@cde.state.co.us
303-866-5983

• Capital Equipment Purchases
• Equipment Grants
• Food Service Management Companies (FSMCs) 
  • Vended Meals
• Procurement
• Procurement Reviews

Jonathan Padia, MS, RD, SNS

Principal Consultant

padia_j@cde.state.co.us
303-866-3685

• Breakfast after the Bell
• Civil Rights
• Meal Patterns - Lunch and Breakfast
• Menu Planning
• Offer versus Serve
• School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• Special Dietary Needs
• Coordinates and oversees Farm to School

McKenna Pullen, MPH, SNS

Senior Consultant

pullen_m@cde.state.co.us
720-644-7259

• Emergency/Disaster Feeding
• Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) (assist)
• Farm to School (assist)
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (assist)

Kristi Brennan, MS, RD, SNS

Senior Consultant

brennan_k@cde.state.co.us
303-866-5985

• Dietetic Interns
• Smarter Lunchrooms
• Wellness Policy

Carrie Thielen, MPH, RD

Principal Consultant

thielen_c@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6759

• Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger Initiatives 
• Program access
• Evaluation and Data 
• Grant administration 

Benjamin Wetherbee

Senior Consultant

wetherbee_b@cde.state.co.us
303-866-6529

• Alternate Point of Sale (POS)
• Direct Certification
• Meal Counting and Claiming
• Provisional Programs
  • Community Eligibility Provision
  • Provision 2, Provision 3

Donna Kolkman

Consultant

kolkman_d@cde.state.co.us
720-202-8794

• Administrative Reviews
• Summer Food Service Program Reviews
• Technical Assistance

Erin Opgenorth

Consultant 

• Administrative Reviews
• Summer Food Service Program Reviews
• Technical Assistance

​

Becca Boone, MA

Consultant

boone_r@cde.state.co.us
720-450-4357

• Procurement
• Procurement Reviews
• Administrative Reviews
• Summer Food Service Program Reviews
• Farm to School (assist)

Alicia Grove, MS, RD, SNS

Consultant

• Administrative Reviews
• Charter Schools
• Food Safety & Recovery
• Professional Standards
• Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs)
• Summer Food Service Program Reviews
• Trainings

Vivien Skrupskis, BA

Program Support

• Advisory Council for School Nutrition (ACSN)
• CO Child Nutrition Hub
• Program Support and Administrative Duties
• Website Content Coordinator