Jess Krauser

Telluride Director

Originally from the Midwest, Jess Krauser graduated from CU Boulder, with a BA in Marketing and Communications. She and her husband Matt married and returned to Chicago after graduation.

Jess worked in corporate marketing for ten years, then developed a private business in fitness mentoring and nutrition after giving birth to their son, Matt Jr.

Jess’s heart for marginalized people and animals drives her to find purposeful and satisfying work. She was instrumental in founding the St. Michael’s Catholic Church Refugee Committee, assisting in developing an ESL program and helping people assimilate into a new culture. She was also an active member of St. Michaels Social Justice Committee and an active parent at St. Michaels Catholic School.

The Krausers returned to Colorado in 2014, choosing Telluride as their new home.

In 2016 Jess joined Second Chance Humane Society as Telluride Thrift Store Retail Manager. She later also became Development Director. Jess resigned from Second Chance in 2020 and missed the local connection to the community as well as the mission of the organization. Today Jess has rejoined the Second Chance family –this time as Telluride Director, managing the newly remodeled Sit…Stay…Shop!, Telluride’s Upscale Resale Emporium. Jess will also head Telluride’s community outreach, donor relations and special fundraising events.

In her spare time, Jess enjoys the natural beauty of the mountains, tinkering with all things creative and hiking and cooking with Matt, her husband of 33 years.