Jordan always knew he wanted to return…
Jordan Suter
A Sterling native, Jordan left home to play college baseball while earning a degree in biology, eventually building a successful career as a forensic scientist. But something kept pulling him back.
Rooted in generations of family history in Sterling, Jordan always knew he wanted to return—he just didn’t know how his career would fit into rural life. That changed when he joined Thrivent, a financial planning firm his family trusted. The opportunity was more than just a job—it was a pathway to serve his hometown in a meaningful way.
Since moving back two and a half years ago, Jordan has thrown himself into community involvement—from coaching high school athletes to serving in leadership roles. His message is clear: rural communities need young people who care deeply and are willing to step in.
“I just want to leave a mark, and hopefully it’s a positive one,” Jordan says.
He also wants to shift perceptions: “Come visit. See what it’s actually like out here. You might be surprised by the generosity and spirit of the people.”
And for those who’ve moved away? Jordan has a simple plea:
“We need you out here. This community needs more young people… that care and want to make a difference, and you can only make a difference if you get involved.”
Jordan is proof that coming home can be the most powerful step forward.
#Return2Rural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
Finding Purpose in Simplicity.
Dave Johnson
After years in the high-pressure world of corporate sales management, Dave Johnson was ready for something different—something more grounded, more meaningful, and more connected to the life he truly wanted.
That shift came when a small telecom company in Sterling, Colorado, offered him a new opportunity. For Dave, it wasn’t just a career move—it was a life choice.
“The town’s charm, with its wide-open spaces and close-knit community, felt like the perfect place to not only continue working but also to eventually retire,” he shares.
Now serving as General Manager at Magnifi, Dave has found exactly what he was missing in the corporate grind: balance, purpose, and the ability to make a direct impact every day. Working with a smaller company in a rural setting has given him the chance to do what he loves—without sacrificing peace of mind.
“I was ready to leave behind the hustle and settle into a slower, more fulfilling pace,” he says. “Sterling gave me the chance to do meaningful work while enjoying the peace and balance I’d been missing.”
Dave’s story is a powerful reminder that returning to rural doesn’t mean stepping back—it means stepping into a life that truly fits.
#Return2Rural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
Rural living wasn’t just a lifestyle—it was a lifelong dream.
Christina Perez-Giordano
“I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie, and it was all I ever dreamed of doing,” she says. Though life first took her to suburban Colorado Springs, the ache for a simpler, more connected way of life never left her.
Over time, Christina and her family leaned into their dream—learning how to grow food, raise chickens and bunnies, make soaps, bake from scratch, and live closer to the land, even while surrounded by suburban sprawl.
Then, the unexpected happened. An opportunity to purchase a property with three greenhouses in Sterling landed in their laps—and the dream they had nurtured for years finally took root.
Now, three years into life in Sterling, Christina describes it as her “little house on the prairie” dream come true. She and her family have poured their passion into building a sustainable, regenerative business—raising food, flowers, and plants without pesticides and with practices that honor the land and animals that share it.
Their move wasn’t just about business. It was a family journey—bringing not only their immediate family of five, but also grandparents and a beloved godpop into the fold of rural life.
“We hope to grow our business and connections and make this move forever,” Christina says. “City life has no draw on this rural one. Returning to rural is a return to our roots and a simpler, fuller life.”
#Return2Rural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
Some people return to rural life.
I never left.
Andrew Fritzler
Andrew Fritzler isn’t your typical “return to rural” story—he’s a proud example of what it means to stay rooted and build forward. Raised in Northeastern Colorado, Andrew has always appreciated the small-town way of life, where strong values, a sense of community, and open skies still shape everyday living.
While others may chase opportunities elsewhere, Andrew found his purpose right at home. Even after choosing a different path from his family’s farming legacy, his commitment to staying in the region never wavered. Instead, he carved out his own space in the professional world—starting with PFS Insurance and now serving as Assistant Branch Manager for their two Northeast Colorado offices.
What stands out most about Andrew isn’t just his career growth—it’s his deep involvement in the community. From serving on local boards to supporting community-driven efforts in Sterling, he believes small-town leadership matters now more than ever. He’s helping shape a stronger, more connected future for Sterling and beyond.
For Andrew, it’s also about family. “There’s no better place to raise a family than in a small community that allows so much growth and opportunity for children today,” he says. That’s the kind of perspective that makes rural leadership not just professional—but personal.
#NECOSpotlight | #StayToRural | #CommunityBuilders
Coming Home to Build Community
Kelly Miles
Kelly Miles always knew she loved Sterling. The wide-open spaces, deep-rooted values, and close-knit way of life had her heart. But as a newly minted architect, she wondered—would there ever be a place for her in rural Colorado?
After graduating with a Master of Architecture from Kansas State University in 2010, Kelly followed opportunity to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and later to Colorado Springs when her husband was transferred with the military. Closer to home—but still not quite there.
Then in 2020, when remote work finally opened a door, Kelly and her family didn’t hesitate. They returned to Sterling—for their daughters, their family, and a lifestyle that aligned with their values.
“In Sterling, our girls can run and play outside all day. They ride their bikes down dirt roads, make hideouts in the windrows, and grow up with the kind of childhood we always hoped for.”
Kelly now works with JEO Consulting Group, where her passion for design is aligned with a purpose she deeply believes in: strengthening rural communities. “At JEO, small-town rural communities are the focus. I love being part of a team working on projects here, not buildings in some faraway city.”
For Kelly, coming home means more than living in the place she loves—it means contributing to its future.
“I want to have a hand in developing this community and creating something that my family—and everyone who calls Sterling home—can be proud of.”
Her message is simple and powerful: “It’s our job to get off the sidelines and be a part of taking care of our community. To step up and say, ‘How can I help?!’”
#Return2Rural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
Rediscovering Home, Rebuilding Roots
Tyson Marostica
For Tyson Marostica, growing up in Logan County was something he didn’t fully appreciate—until he left.
As a kid, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. Farming didn’t feel like the right fit, and it wasn’t until later that he realized just how many opportunities existed in agriculture and beyond without being on the farm.
After high school, Tyson worked a few local jobs in Sterling but felt the urge to chase something bigger. He moved to Greeley for school, found the conveniences of city life appealing, and eventually landed a job as a sales manager for Interstate Battery of the Rockies. Life on the Front Range was fulfilling—on the surface.
But over time, something began to shift.
As he started a family of his own, Tyson and his wife began questioning whether city life was really what they wanted for their kids. They envisioned a life filled with wide-open spaces, deep friendships, and a community where people don’t just say, “How are you?”—they genuinely care about the answer.
“The best thing about Northeast Colorado is how close everyone is—everyone knows everyone and is truly invested in being there for each other,” Tyson reflects.
The only question left was—what kind of work could bring them home?
Thanks to a few old connections and the unwavering pull of community, Tyson found his way back to Sterling and into a meaningful role at the Bank of Colorado. Now he’s using his skills to contribute to the same place that raised him—and it feels right.
“After being gone for 11 years, a lot has changed in Logan County, but one thing remains the same—this community is like family. I’m happy to be back, and that’s my #ReturntoRural story.”
#ReturntoRural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
Northeast Colorado always pulled me back
Trae Miller
My Return 2 Rural story was a long process.
Starting in 2009 we began looking for opportunities to move back to Logan County from Salt Lake City, UT. In 2014 I learned about this job through family who saw it advertised in the South Platte Sentinel jobs section. Knowing that we were looking to move back they shared the job with me. I applied and the rest is history.
We wanted to move back for several reasons. My wife and I both had family living here. We were also thinking about our young children and where and how we wanted to raise them. Having access to grandparents, safety of small town, rural schools, etc.
Northeast Colorado always pulled me back. The ability to be around family and access the open space of rural living that I grew up with, and missed. I still remember the feeling I would get coming down the interstate and entering the river valley toward home. I am glad to offer that sense of home to my children.
This is just a small piece of our experience, but I am glad that we chose to #returntorural!
#ReturntoRural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
The career opportunities in this community have been incredible.
Darlene Carpio
The eastern plains of Colorado have been my home for the majority of my life. Aside from the years I spent earning my college degree in Greeley, CO, I’ve always called northeastern Colorado home—and I’ve been truly blessed.
After college, my husband received his first job offer with Production Credit Association. Our plan was to gain a few years of experience and then return to the Front Range of Colorado, but we never found a reason to leave Yuma. He has been working in the world of finance in this rural, yet progressive community ever since.
I’ve also had the privilege of pursuing meaningful and fulfilling employment here—from working for a U.S. Senator and Congressman to serving as the Yuma County Economic Development Director. The career opportunities in this community have been incredible.
With a deep sense of peace, a connection to nature, and close bonds with my neighbors, this has been a wonderful place to raise our children. With all the employment opportunities and the quality of life, I couldn’t ask for a better place to call home. We have never been disappointed that we made the decision to #returntorural!
#ReturntoRural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural
Ultimately, home called, and coming back was the right choice.
Rhonda Graham
Sedgwick County has always been home. Growing up here and graduating from Julesburg High School instilled a deep appreciation for the strength of our community. Like many, the pull to explore led to new experiences—two years in New Zealand, then a return to Colorado. But ultimately, home called, and coming back to Julesburg was the right choice.
This isn’t just where I grew up—it’s where my children were raised. A place where neighbors look out for each other, where community traditions are passed down, and where opportunities exist for those willing to create them. Rural communities thrive when people work together. Since 2021, the focus has been on supporting community events, expanding childcare options, and welcoming new businesses—each step helping build a stronger, more vibrant future.
Looking back, I wish I had paid more attention in school to our local history. I never knew then how much it would shape the work I do today. Understanding our past has been key to building a better future, preserving our heritage while creating new opportunities for growth.
Returning to rural isn’t just about wide-open spaces and small-town charm—it’s about the people. It’s about collaboration, resilience, and shared success. The future of Sedgwick County is shaped by those willing to invest in it, and together, we are making a lasting impact.
#ReturntoRural | #RuralIsRad | #ReimagineRural