About the CoAND
Who We Are
The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND) is a nonprofit association that represents all registered NDs in Colorado. Established in 1984, CoAND is the only Colorado association recognized by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).
The CoAND is an all-volunteer association that works to provide its members with professional development opportunities, including a very successful annual conference plus monthly webinars; opportunities to network with each other to share best practices, and of course, protecting the naturopathic doctor title through legislative channels, and continuing to work toward Naturopathic medicine and its doctors being recognized as positive, viable contributors within Colorado’s health care system. CoAND also strives to provide education about Naturopathic Medicine to Coloradans. Read “Your Healing Journey” a series of blog posts authored by Colorado NDs addressing everything from ADHD, to Heart Health, to PCOS to Aging. We also look forward to connecting NDs with potential patients through the Find an ND function of the CoAND website
Our Misson
Naturopathic medicine is transforming the health and lives of millions of Americans. The CoAND exists to energize and uplift the naturopathic profession in Colorado so that more residents can benefit from this natural and effective healthcare option.
Our Story
Although Naturopathic medicine is welcomed and utilized in the state of Colorado, and though Colorado NDs enjoy a robust practice, there is still a lot of work to be done legislatively as well as in the arena of public education and outreach. A bill was passed in 2013 to legally register NDs, which was the first step in the journey to ensure that NDs could practice freely in Colorado, as well as to provide patient safety, as Naturopathic Doctors need to be registered. However, the scope of practice in our state remains limited and does not reflect the training and education received by registered/licensed Naturopathic Doctors. Colorado NDs are currently not able to practice Naturopathic medicine to the extent and depth of their education and training. Although creative collaborations and the ability to refer exists, patients would benefit from their ND being able to practice to the fullest extent of his/her training.
The CoAND funds legislative efforts, educates healthcare professionals and the public, and collaborates with other organizations. Our end goal is to advance the naturopathic profession in Colorado and to practice to the level of our training.
We believe that when naturopathic medicine flourishes in our state, more Coloradans will enjoy access to a form of natural and holistic healthcare that could transform their health and their lives.
Donate
If you would like to donate to CoAND’s legislative efforts, thank you in advance! We have a Legislative Committee of NDs dedicated to CoAND’s legislative pursuits, plus we have a professional lobbyist working with us to advance our mission.
The CoAND understands the importance of giving back to the naturopathic community and has established a scholarship program to accomplish this goal, helping to launch and support students, new ND graduates, and NDs in need in Colorado’s Naturopathic Medicine community. Learn more about the program here:
Act Now!
Let your legislator know that you love Naturopathic Medicine. We ask you to take a moment to locate your legislator and send them a positive message encouraging them to continue considering NDs a valid and important part of Colorado’s healthcare system. You can do that here.
Are you a Naturopathic Doctor new to Colorado?
Are you a newly graduated Naturopathic Doctor? Or just new to Colorado? Welcome in! We have resources to help you navigate your registration through DORA. Become a CoAND member and receive our welcome packet, get discounts on events, including webinars, and our Rocky Mountain Regional annual conference, as well as discounts on professional journals and insurance premium discounts. You will receive a listing in our Colorado Naturopathic Doctor search, which can also be accessed through our Facebook and Instagram. Welcome to Colorado!
CoAND’s structure
The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND) is made up of registered Naturopathic Doctors. The NDs volunteer to serve in a variety of ways. Some serve as regional ambassadors, providing a warm introduction to any new Naturopathic Doctor to Colorado . They can provide as much or as little as you need to make sure that you get plugged in to your area, to the other NDs in your area and to help you navigate the registration process in Colorado.
Regional Ambassadors
Here are our Colorado ND Regional Ambassadors. Get in touch. Introduce yourself and get connected:
Boulder area, Dr. Shelese Pratt; Colorado Springs area, Dr. Brita Mutti: Denver Metro (West), Dr. Ashley Biscoe; Denver (and East Metro), Dr Caitlin O’ Connor;
Durango (and surrounding area), Dr. Stacy Mulkey; Fort Collins, Dr. Sarah Kashdan; Grand Junction area, Dr. Christopher Lepisto; and finally, in the High Rockies
area of Colorado, Dr. Justin Pollack
CoAND’s Committees
There are many ways to get involved with CoAND. The committees are as follows: Executive, Finance, Legislative, Membership, Education, Communications, Nominations, Conference, and the Fun Committee.
CoAND Board of Directors
Colorado naturopathic doctors have a decades-long history of national leadership in their field. The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND) Board of Directors are elected by their peers to guide and inspire the organization’s vision, legislative action and strategic initiatives.
James Gilchrist, ND, LAc
President of the Board
Born in Denver and raised in Parker, Dr. Gilchrist spent two years in Argentina before he was 20. He returned home with a hunger for foreign travel, and a desire to become a prevention-oriented doctor. Still unaware of Naturopathic Medicine, he found a home in studying about – and visiting – the Middle East on several occasions. Upon returning home from Iraq in 2011, he found a career where he could stay in Colorado. Dr. Gilchrist’s private practice, Parker Natural Medicine, was established in 2016. Dr. Gilchrist is also part-time faculty at The Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, hiking, cooking and spending time with this family.
Sarah Kashdan, ND, LAc
Vice President of the board, Coordinator, Regional Representatives; Legislative Committee
Dr. Sarah Kashdan is a native Bostonian who fell in love with the Rocky Mountains when she moved to Colorado in 2009. Dr. Kashdan is unique in that she practices both naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. This combination of western and eastern medical training provides her patients with a truly integrative approach to healthcare. Her naturopathic practice focuses on using nutrition, lifestyle, nutraceuticals, botanical medicine, and homeopathy as tools to help her patients achieve health. Her acupuncture practice includes acupuncture, non-insertive techniques, bodywork, cupping, herbal formulas and moxibustion. She’s also a certified yoga instructor and competitive powerlifter. When she’s not at the clinic you can find her training at the gym, practicing yoga, and hiking in the mountains with her dogs. She can be found at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins
Katie Reinholtz, ND
Secretary of the board, Membership Chair
Dr Reinholtz is new to the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors, stepping up to serve in the role of Secretary and Membership Chair. Dr. Reinholtz works at Naturopathic Womens Health.
Dr. Katie is a registered Naturopathic Doctor in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, digestive disorders and weight loss. She first learned about Naturopathic medicine after seeing a functional medicine doctor in college who helped her see that everything from digestion to mood (to blood sugars) was connected and that what we eat and how we live are two of the most important things we can do for our health. Dr. Katie has personal experience navigating autoimmune and endocrine conditions having been diagnosed with Graves disease and as a type 1 diabetic since the age of 19. Dr. Katie is also passionate about the importance of mental health and how naturopathic medicine can play a vital role in how our bodies regulate stress.
Karly Powell, ND
Treasurer of the Board
Dr. Powell graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR and completed their competitive teaching residency in naturopathic primary care before moving to Colorado. In her practice at Hälsa Naturopathic Medicine in Colorado Springs, she provides general naturopathic care to all ages and is particularly passionate about helping patients solve the puzzle of complex chronic illnesses like autoimmune disease, environmental toxicity, dementia and Alzheimer’s, and chronic infections. As a snowboarder, skier, mountain biker, outdoor enthusiast, and competitive triathlete, Dr. Powell also has a special interest in working with athletes to enhance performance and prevent and treat injuries.
Danica Woods, ND
Board Member; legislative committee, Blog Editor
Dr. Danica Woods is a Colorado native practicing as a naturopathic doctor at Natural Medicine of Denver in Lakewood, Colorado. Her practice mainly consists of hormone balancing for women, physical medicine, healing touch modalities, and the integration of mind-body medicine techniques. Her goal is for everyone to be able to access affordable natural solutions and really dig into the root of their health concerns to find healing and wellness.
Dr. Danica Woods graduated from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington in 2019. Her other education and training includes a certification as an Integrative Holistic Life Coach from the Legacy Training Program in Denver, Colorado, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrative Physiology from University of Colorado in Boulder. She is also a current member of the AANP.
Dr Donald Spears, ND, LAc
Board Member, communications committee
atAs a seasoned doctor who specializes in holistic medicine, my approach is anything but traditional. I intentionally don the hat of a generalist, breaking free from the constraints of specialization that can often narrow one’s view of health to a mere label. Why? Because I believe you are more than a diagnosis—far more.
A disease diagnosis serves merely as a label, yet too often we allow it to shape our identity and dictate our life narrative. Consider the statement, “I have an autoimmune condition; my body is broken and destroying itself.” Such a viewpoint doesn’t just influence your self-perception; it also hampers your inherent ability to heal. If you’re anchored in the belief that you’re intrinsically defective or confined by a medical condition, how can you ever unlock the power of self-healing that resides within you? My core philosophy pivots on your innate ability to heal, a power that only needs the right direction to manifest into genuine health and wellbeing. Dr Spears is the Boulder Clinic Director at Whole Systems Healthcare. Learn more about Dr. Spears here.
Rachel Walker, ND, LMT
Board Member; Continuing Education
Dr Walker completed her undergraduate education at Colorado College and received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Washington.
Besides her volunteer leadership in CoAND, Dr. Walker is also a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Rachel specializes in integrative care and patient advocacy. Having worked in athletic training, wilderness emergency medicine, and massage therapy, she draws inspiration from a variety of disciplines. Her approach to naturopathic medicine is evidence-based but open minded.
As a former college athlete, Rachel enjoys recreational team sports. She is an avid runner and amateur horticulturist.
Ryan Phillips, ND, MPH
Board Member, Communications committee
Prior to becoming a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Phillips earned a B.A. in Global Studies, which led to extensive international work in remote corners of the Indian Himalayas. He is fluent in Nepali and loves South Asian culture. During his time abroad, he organized underdeveloped communities to establish schools, health centers, and a regional ambulance service. He helped to train village women as health workers and mobilized communities to prevent disease through hygiene, sanitation, and lifestyle.
Dr. Phillips has a specialized focus on integrative mental health and brain wellness, working with patients experiencing post-concussive symptoms, anxiety, depression, PTSD, neurological dysfunction, ADD/ADHD, and other mental health challenges. He enjoys working with pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. His integrative ‘mind-body’ approach is especially helpful for those who have not responded well to conventional care. His approach is also effective for complex, multisystemic, and chronic physical conditions, including functional digestive disorders, IBS, inflammatory conditions, insomnia, chronic pain, and more.
Ryan now lives in the foothills of the Rockies with his wife and four children with whom he enjoys an active lifestyle. He also enjoys international travel and has trekked extensively throughout Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan, and the Andes. He is most proud of the adventures he has shared with his children which include cycling over the Himalayas, biking across Tibet, and hiking to Everest Base Camp.
Darby Pedersen, ND
Board Member
Dr. Darby Pedersen is a compassionate and dedicated Naturopathic Doctor with a deep commitment to holistic health and wellness. Originally from Kansas City, she relocated to the Denver area in 2024 after several years of living and studying in Chicago.
She views Naturopathic Medicine as one of the highest forms of self-care. With a thoughtful and thorough approach to case-taking, she listens deeply to her patients’ concerns, treating them as whole individuals rather than simply addressing symptoms. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that true health begins by uncovering and addressing the root causes of illness, rather than merely masking symptoms. She is passionate about empowering her patients to take control of their health, offering a supportive and encouraging presence throughout their wellness journey. Healthcare should be attainable, enjoyable, and rewarding. She will be your biggest cheerleader along your health journey!
Dr. Pedersen earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians (CoAND), and the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians (PedANP).
Outside of her practice, Dr. Darby Pedersen is an avid enthusiast of cooking nutrient-dense and flavorful dishes, trail running, re-reading the Harry Potter series, practicing yoga, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs!
Areas of Expertise:
- Women’s Health throughout the Lifespan
- Fertility
- Psychological Health & Stress Management
Our Staff
Joy T. Maples
Executive Director