Our Story
Current SMAC Board (2026)
So instead of waiting for that to change, she started building it.
SMAC grew out of that effort – out of a desire to make sure no one has to wonder if they belong, or second-guess whether they’ll be accepted. It’s about creating spaces where people can show up as they are, without having to explain or defend themselves.
What started as one person trying to do right by their kid has grown into a broader community effort – supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, educating neighbors, and helping shape a more inclusive Western Slope.
There’s still work to do. There probably always will be. But SMAC exists to keep moving that line forward – steadily, visibly, and together.
SMAC – Safer More Affirming Communities – started with a pretty simple question:
Where do you go when you don’t feel safe being yourself?
For Tera Wick, that question became personal when her child came out as LGBTQ+. Living in a rural community, she quickly realized something was missing. There weren’t many visible spaces where people felt safe, supported, or even understood. And when those spaces don’t exist, you feel it – quietly, but constantly.
After moving to Ouray County, things were better. More open. More welcoming. But not perfect. There were still gaps. Still moments where people hesitated. Still a need for education, visibility, and real support.