Sue Laabs’ dedication to the work and mission of the museum knows no bounds! Each holiday season, Sue signs up to paint hundreds of tiny faces for our Festival of Lights Family Fun Day. When the museum was preparing for our Grand Reopening, Sue pulled up her sleeves and painted exhibit cases. However, her generosity goes well beyond just wielding a paintbrush.
Sue first connected with the museum in 2011 as a volunteer. In addition to supporting programs and events, she has brought her expertise in the banking industry to her roles as a member of the CSPM’s Nonprofit Board, Foundation Board, and Finance Committee.
Sue brings passion, enthusiasm, and curiosity to her volunteer work.
As she states, “It is always fascinating to learn about the lives, hopes and aspirations of those who came before us and to imagine our part in the fabric of our community’s history. It is a privilege to work alongside our amazing staff and volunteers to preserve and share our history.”
For the past few years, Sue has expanded her involvement and giving. In 2022, she joined the Clock Tower Society, a special group who invests in the museum’s bright future. Most recently she contributed significantly to the CSPM’s newest exhibit—Until Forever Comes: This is Ute Homeland. Her gifts include the acquisition of two key pieces of art featured in the gallery and added to the CSPM’s permanent collection: Shining Light by Norman Lansing, Ute Mountain Ute, and Metal Horse Sculpture by Fred Begay Jr., Navajo/Ute. Additionally, Sue provided critical financial support for the Star Woman regalia commissioned from Michelle Zuniga, and her daughters Alejandra and AnaLucia, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.
And, her generosity does not end there. She understands how the museum will continue this work for generations to come and has left a legacy. She has included the museum in her estate plan with expressed wishes to support future work in sharing and preserving indigenous stories at the museum. Join us in thanking Sue Laabs for her longstanding investment and support in building a lasting connection to the Pikes Peak region by preserving and sharing our cultural history.
