Sarah E. Alder was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. She comes from a large family with six other siblings and calls not only Utah home but Colorado as well. Sarah joined the United States Army Reserves in Salt Lake City, UT in February 2000 serving on active-duty service twice for: Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Her expertise was ensuring all personnel files were correctly maintained to acted as the Junior Enlisted Promotions Non-Commissioned Officer and successfully promoted 250+ soldiers while on active duty.
While completing her military contract at Fort Carson, Colorado she was working full time as a Quality Assurance Specialist in the Pharmaceutical industry and going to school at Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC). In May 2008, she graduated with her Associates Degree in English at PPCC and fulfilled her eight-year military contract with an Honorable Discharge. She continued her education at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a double Bachelor’s in Professional and Technical Writing and Sociology; additionally, receiving Cum Laude and Department honors and a special Certificate in the Sociology of Diversity; graduating in May 2011.
During that same time, she greatly missed the camaraderie and fellowship of her fellow service members, which ultimately connected her with American Veterans for Equal Rights – Rocky Mountain Chapter (AVER-RMC) and later the John S. Stewart VFW Post 1. While actively participating with these organizations she reinstated the AVER Rocky Mountain Chapter in 2010 and served as Secretary, Vice President, and later as Chapter President supporting volunteers, members, and community partners for over an eight-year period. It is there that she cultivated her understanding of Committee/Council Governance, honed those skills in her various roles and later established great success in her role at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sarah moved to Summit County, Colorado in 2021 with her family. They are greatly enjoying the Summit County area with quick access to the hiking trails, biking trails, and many other summer activities. When Sarah has time wealth, she greatly enjoys traveling anywhere in the world the local food, breweries, coffee shops, road cycling, hiking and often enjoys handywoman projects and woodworking. She is very passionate about establishing a community in Summit County, serving in that community, and providing diverse perspectives that support the environment, sustainability, the people enjoying those spaces and serving the residents who live in the area.
