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Learning & Development for the
State of Colorado
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In this Issue:
- Employee Support
- Trainer Spotlight
- The Value of Creativity
- Supplier Diversity Program
- LXP Mobile App
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-Meta Sarmiento
If you could describe the state of your universe in one word right now, what would it be? Peaceful? Joyful? Copasetic? Not all of us are quite so lucky to use such positive descriptors. Some of us might say, “My universe right now is uncertain. Chaotic. Painful.” And I often wonder for those of us who answer in such a way, what are we doing to take care of ourselves?
As the CSEAP Outreach Coordinator, one of my main functions is to connect State employees to the services we provide. In my time with this agency, I’ve met many people who’ve quietly thanked me for our team’s work. Our licensed counselors diligently support State employees through feelings of stress, depression, anxiety, and other concerns like relationship issues, phase of life shifts, and workplace challenges. CSEAP serves all State employees, from staff who keep administrative services humming, all the way to personnel who run headfirst into life-threatening situations daily.
I spend a lot of time in front of people, giving presentations on topics like emotional intelligence, fallacies of work-life balance, and finding joy. I also coach State leaders on leading with empathy and navigating conflict. Through these many interactions, I’ve learned that we don’t reach out for the support that we need, and we absolutely need all the support we can get.
Learn more about available CSEAP support including Professional Coaching services, webinars, counseling and pop-up clinics. To schedule a presentation for your team specifically, book a presentation consult with Meta Sarmiento.
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Join a CSEAP Webinar!
Check out some of our upcoming webinars at CSEAP. We have specialized topics and work with partner vendors and providers to offer information to support your wellbeing.
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Tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in Colorado. As a young person, I decided to test my cold weather limits by attending a small college in Minnesota to study English and book arts. After meandering through the Twin Cities and northern Arizona, I landed back in Colorado. Currently, I live in southwest Denver with my spouse. Last October, we welcomed the greatest baby in all the land and fell head over heels.
Professionally, I spent many years of my career in the nonprofit sector, focusing on training and adult learning. After an experience in the public sector that ended abruptly, I landed at the State of Colorado. I have enjoyed the scope of work and the great people at the DPA—not to mention the work-life balance!
What is your favorite tool to use when you support employees with their professional development? Why?
In a training or coaching environment, I believe that a little humor goes a long way to foster connection and make the experience more enjoyable. When people are engaged, the learning outcomes are better. If appropriate, I try to bring a little lightness into those spaces.
What is something you would like to implement for statewide learners in the future?
I am a big believer in certificates, badges, or credentials that are tied to training. Certificates or badges provide receipts for learning and can allow folks to prove their professional development as they explore opportunities. I would like to see more pathways and opportunities for folks to earn credentials that help them grow professionally.
What do you like to do in your free time?
When I am not delighting in my tiny human, I enjoy spending time with friends, reading, or watching tv. I love all things related to food - eating, food tv, reading cookbooks, and daydreaming about future meals (though I leave most of the actual cooking to my very talented husband). Other obsessions include: the Academy Awards, the podcast Las Culturistas, Formula 1, and my pumpkin patch.
Is there a unique travel experience you’ve had?
A few years ago, my husband and I traveled to Italy with dear friends for a wedding. We all stayed in a charming Villa in Tuscany where we celebrated the nuptials over plates of tasty food as the sun set over the hills. It was magical! We checked an item off our bucket list when we attended the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Finally, we enjoyed gelato from the same Roman shop I visited regularly when I studied abroad there years before.
What is your go-to song when you want to have a dance party by yourself?
Nearly anything from Beyonce’s catalogue will instantly improve my mood!
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 -Karen Capaldi
As a child, I remember how important playtime was for me. Growing up on a farm, I spent as much time as possible outside, exploring and having adventures. However, on rainy days, playtime meant Legos, Lincoln Logs, painting with watercolors, or helping my mom and grandmother cook. Fast forward to adulthood, and playtime seemed to fall victim to ‘productivity.’ For me, it felt as if playtime was a distant memory—frowned upon in the adult world. There was an element of grief involved, which made ‘adulting’ almost sad. What if we were to encourage the concept of adult creativity and playtime? What would be the results?
Amy Blankson’s article “How To Use Creativity To Drive Success: 4 Strategies to Unlock Innovation” states, “At its core, creativity is about solving problems in new, innovative ways. It’s not confined to art or design—it’s essential in every field, from business to technology, healthcare to education. Whether you're in the C-suite or on the frontlines, creative problem-solving is what propels organizations forward.”
So, how do we nurture creativity in the workplace for ourselves? My suggestion is to look at it from two perspectives: Personal Creativity and Collective Creativity.
Personal Creativity
Let’s start with Personal Creativity. If you don’t think you are creative, I have good news—creativity is a teachable skill. In addition, it doesn’t have to be something you have to learn; it can be something you enjoy doing already. For some, it might be cooking or gardening, while for others, it may be working on a car or restoring a piece of furniture.
For example, I was given an old dining room table recently that can expand but is missing the leaves. In my town, there's a Maker Lab/Space—which is a collective run by volunteers that has various machines and tools, with instructors to teach you how to use them. For a small monthly fee, I can create and build new leaves for this wonderful old table, with support and instruction if needed. These spaces are all over the country and often have open house events or orientations. This same concept applies to many other areas of interest—quilting, music, photography. Creative spaces have always fostered a vibrant culture that is welcoming and inclusive.
Your job is to stay curious and discover what resonates with you.
Collective Creativity
Now, let’s discuss Collective Creativity. Collective Creativity is about creating a community, in the workplace or within your personal life. Its value lies in holding space for new ideas and bringing them to light.
A decade ago, I started a small group called Sparkle 2.0, which met every other month to support each other’s personal goals. We chose the name because our early years had been exciting but often unintentional—so we wanted to be deliberate in making the next chapter of our lives sparkle. The meetings provided a safe space to brainstorm, problem-solve, and encourage one another. The result? Every single member achieved their goals—while having fun along the way.
This same concept can apply in the workplace. A team meeting focused on creative problem-solving can allow employees to share challenges and collaborate on solutions. My one piece of advice? Establish a mission statement to ensure the group remains purposeful and inclusive.
The Joy of Creativity
Numerous studies have proven how creativity stimulates the brain, increasing neuroplasticity and boosting cognitive function, but no one discusses the joy derived from doing so.
I didn’t want to write an article that ‘proved’ the value of creativity. I wrote it to invite you to play, to have fun, and to welcome joy through creativity. My suggestion is to invite curiosity into your life by way of creativity because even small acts of creativity can boost your well-being and breed new ways of thinking and problem-solving without trying.
Whether it’s a personal hobby or a collaborative effort, creativity and play are underrated tools in adulthood—and it’s time to change that.
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What Happens When We Buy From Businesses in Our Community? |
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 - The Supplier Diversity Team (David Musgrave, Amber Hodges, and
Jo Harrison)
Buying from local businesses creates jobs for your neighbors, helps fund projects to improve infrastructure like roads, bridges, and highways, and helps create generational wealth within our communities.
The State of Colorado also benefits from increasing the State’s competitive base (ensuring fair and reasonable pricing), enhancing supply chain resilience, ensuring better responses to economic shifts, and allowing us to better respond to emergencies.
With the Small Business Administration reporting that 99.5% of Colorado companies are small businesses, (many of whom are businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons) we have a lot of opportunity to positively impact our communities. The State’s supplier diversity program is an intentional effort to include all businesses in State procurement including historically underutilized businesses.
The Supplier Diversity Program is a part of the Statewide Equity Office which falls under the Division of Human Resources at the Department of Personnel & Administration. It aims to enhance the economic and social well-being of our communities and create greater opportunities for all businesses by providing resources and tools to State agencies, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and local businesses.
Directory
One of these tools is the Colorado Supplier Diversity Directory which helps buyers find businesses that are small, diverse-owned, veteran-owned, and in economically distressed areas of the state, known as HUBZones. Applications are being accepted and the directory will be made available on our website in early April.
Amazon Business
In addition, the Supplier Diversity Program has worked with the State Purchasing & Contracts Office to turn on functionality within Amazon Business to highlight products sold by small and diverse suppliers. This functionality will help us measure our utilization of different types of businesses.
Additional Resources
Other resources include the Colorado Supplier Diversity Navigator and Bond Assistance Program. Visit our website to find more information on the important work we are doing for agencies, IHEs, and Colorado businesses.
The Statewide Equity Office’s Supplier Diversity Program plays a crucial role in fostering an inclusive, competitive business environment in Colorado, benefiting both businesses and communities across the state. By offering resources and support for agencies, IHEs, and businesses, the program strengthens local economies and enhances the state’s overall well-being. If you have questions, please reach out to us!
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 LDC/CSEAP: Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is a skill that can impact our everyday life, both professionally and personally. Each individual is responsible for their own self-awareness and determining ways in which to regulate emotions during times of increased stress. In partnership with CSEAP, this course is meant to help individuals discover and/or grow their own Emotional Intelligence and is the prerequisite for their 360 Coaching Program.
LDC: De-Escalation
This three-hour training will leave you with a better understanding of (1) why our emotional brains kick in and (2) how to tame our emotional reactions so that we can tap back into the parts of our brains that utilize logic and reason before we make decisions.
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Take Your Learning on the Go:
Download the LXP Mobile App
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 The Learning Experience Platform (LXP) is your central hub for professional development, leadership training, technical skills, and required compliance courses. While employees can access the LXP on a desktop, the mobile app for iPhone and Android makes it easier than ever to learn on the go. For the best desktop experience, use Google Chrome.
Download the App:
With the LXP mobile app, you can:
- Access courses anytime, anywhere
- Track progress on required compliance training
- Browse and enroll in new learning opportunities
- Stay engaged with professional development at your convenience
For additional LXP guidance, refer to these resources:
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