A Better Colorado Foundation
A Better Colorado Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Our Mission
Healing Colorado’s Heroes. One Dog at a Time.
A Better Colorado Foundation exists to raise and deploy the funds needed to train and place life-saving service dogs with local Colorado veterans suffering from PTSD.
We don’t just raise the money—we execute the mission. From securing the resources to coordinating the training and pairing process, we ensure each veteran receives a highly skilled service dog that provides daily support, restores independence, and improves quality of life.
Our commitment is simple: turn every dollar raised into a direct impact on the life of a Colorado veteran.
Together, we can help our heroes heal—one dog at a time.
Our Dogs
From Contribution to Transformation: How Service Dogs Change Lives.
Behind every placement is a journey made possible by generosity. Each contribution helps fund the intensive training and careful pairing of service dogs with Colorado veterans whose lives have been shaken by PTSD.
What begins as financial support transforms into something far greater—the return of confidence, stability, and peace of mind. These dogs provide more than daily assistance; they restore a sense of purpose, create unshakable bonds, and remind our heroes that healing is possible.
Together, we can transform support into lasting change, helping veterans reclaim their independence and rediscover hope—one life-saving dog at a time.
Our Nonprofit Partners
99 Hearts
99 Hearts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates out of a private, tranquil and scenic ranch in the foothills of Golden, CO. Their unique services, facilities and horses combined with being in nature provides an impactful forum for their participants to make a change in their lives. They offer three programs, Family Services, Workforce Development and Suicide Awareness & Support. They incorporate horses into many of their services, and also offer virtual services. They carefully chose horses with a special story that enjoy healing people, and experienced facilitators with a passion for helping people making a change. The programs at 99 Hearts are one-of-a-kind and they are proud to offer unique and transformative services to their participants.
MaxFund
The mission of MaxFund is to shelter, care for and find homes for pets in our community, and welcome into our care even those pets with the most critical need.
They do this while working to forward the no kill movement through community, advocacy, and by maximizing programs that strengthen this mission.
MaxFund has been kind enough to waive all adoption fees for any dogs we find at their shelter that we can train and pair with a Veteran with PTSD going through our program.
Now on Spotify: "Battle Buddy"
A song we wrote and produced for the veterans we help
Advisory Board & Volunteers
At A Better Colorado Foundation, our mission thrives on the dedication and expertise of our Advisory Board and volunteers. These individuals are the backbone of our initiatives, transforming recreational events into impactful fundraisers that support local children and veterans in need. Our Advisory Board offers strategic guidance, ensuring our programs align with our goals and community needs, while our volunteers bring passion and energy to every event, embodying our commitment to empowering communities and transforming lives. Together, they play a pivotal role in pairing veterans with service dogs, fostering healing and independence for our local heroes.
Jason Granger
Founder
Jason is the Founder of A Better Colorado Foundation and the CEO of Infinity Marketing Group, a B2B technology marketing agency he has led for over 14 years. Born to two U.S. Air Force parents and a former member of the Air Force Reserves himself, Jason’s life has been deeply rooted in the military community. His leadership of the Foundation reflects a personal commitment to honoring and supporting veterans by combining entrepreneurial drive with a mission that hits close to home.
James LaJoie
Marketing & Outreach Advisor
James is a marketing professional with over a decade of experience helping businesses and nonprofits grow through strategic outreach, digital engagement, and storytelling. He leads the Foundation’s marketing efforts, driving awareness for key events, fundraising campaigns, and veteran-focused initiatives. With several close friends and family members who have served, including a business partner whose life was transformed through access to a service dog, James is deeply connected to the Foundation’s mission. He is proud to use his expertise to help ensure more veterans receive the support they deserve.
Joseph Michael Swirkowski
Veteran Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator
Joseph is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2004 to 2009, including two combat deployments in Iraq as a Squad Leader with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. He works with multiple veteran organizations in Colorado and leads the Foundation’s outreach efforts with a focus on mental health and peer support. Inspired by his own experience with a service dog, Takoda, Joseph advocates for their life-changing role in helping veterans heal. He is driven by the loss of fellow soldiers and is committed to serving others with the same integrity and courage that defined his time in uniform.
Aly Pratkelis
Digital Communications Lead
Aly is the Digital Communications Lead for the Better Colorado Foundation and co-founder of Dreamscape Digital Media, where she helps mission-driven organizations grow through strategic branding and outreach. As the reigning Miss Colorado World America, Aly uses her platform to champion inclusion and accessibility on a broader scale. Her passion for mental health advocacy and deep respect for those who’ve served made the Foundation’s mission a natural fit. Through her work, she brings a thoughtful blend of creativity and purpose to the cause of ending veteran suicide.
Mike Ternes
Fundraising Committee Member
Mike brings over 20 years of experience in IT and project management, having worked with major global corporations while also launching and managing several startup ventures. His strengths lie in organization and strategic management, which he now applies to advancing the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. A longtime supporter of veteran-focused initiatives, Mike previously worked with Veterans Passport to Hope and is also involved with DreamBuilders, an organization serving both local and global communities. He was drawn to A Better Colorado Foundation by its mission and the dedication of its team, and is committed to supporting those who have served.
Micah Buck
Veterans Chair
Micah is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 2007 to 2015, including two combat deployments to Afghanistan. A former Parachute Rigger and Weapons Specialist, Micah now leads veteran outreach and mental health initiatives for the Foundation. He is actively involved with national and local veteran organizations, including the Marine Corps League and VA outreach centers. Inspired by his own journey with PTSD and the support of his late service dog, Jakx, Micah is a passionate advocate for the healing power of service animals and peer connection. He brings a mission-first mindset to everything he does, guided by the values of honor, courage, and commitment.
