September Volunteer of the Month: Couren Smith

by | Sep 1, 2026 | Volunteers of the Month

Congratulations to our September Volunteer of the Month, Couren Smith!

At SAFE, our 250+ volunteers are truly the heart of our community. We can really only do what we do because of our amazingly generous volunteers! This month we are celebrating a truly dedicated volunteer — Couren Smith (they/them).

Couren joined SAFE in October of 2022. Their kind and gentle spirit shines in everything they do, always prioritizing the wellbeing of all animals, including our beloved barn cats! With remarkable attention to detail and a caring, thoughtful approach, they consistently demonstrate deep commitment to our organization. Their hard work and dedication ensure quality in every task, and their enthusiasm is contagious—recently, they even invited eight friends to join us at a Farm Tour! We deeply appreciate their generosity, warmth, and the positivity they bring to our community.

Thank you, Couren, for all that you do!

Learn more about Couren below:

How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?

When I was young I read horse stories from the library and would say, “When I grow up I’m gonna have a horse.” Unfortunately that never happened. I did get to go riding at a local ranch with my family a few times and visit a bit with a horse and pony kept by a nearby uncle. A highlight was spending a week with a friend when I was 18 at a beautiful horse ranch near Steamboat Springs, with daily trail rides and other events like barrel racing.

What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?

I love the vibe! It’s so calm and rich and everyone cares so deeply about SAFE’s mission. Just being around the horses, the farm, the people — and loving on “The Big Boys” (my name for the Ooies) — soothes and fills my heart. And if the smell of the barn could be captured in a bottle, I’d surely have open bottles at home in every room!

Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why?

I have several “favorites” and feel an openness and caring towards each horse. But Veronica is particularly close to my heart. She’s always friendly and sweet, in a shy kind of way, and I think she’s so beautiful. I call her “Ronnie”.

What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?

I’m an avid alpine hiker, adore dipping a paddle and sleeping in a tent. I also enjoy poetry and nonfiction, playing guitar, and singing. Most important to me is sharing quality time with friends who are family… so grateful!

Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up?

All the people in my life know about SAFE and how much I love spending time here. My Thursday PM teammates are just the best!