This past Sunday, Susan Gifford, Brad Hugunin, and Di Mapes signed the books to become members of UUCB! Please view their headshots and read their bios below:

Susan Gifford

I grew up and went to college (Millersville University) in Lancaster, PA. After college, I moved to Denver, CO with a girlfriend and we both got teaching jobs in the Denver Public School system. After a couple of years, I took a job at Mountain Bell as a Service Representative and later, as a Mainframe Programmer. I moved to Boulder in 1977 to go to graduate school in a doctorate program associated with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics.  I then worked for Boulder County as a Systems Analyst for 7 years and later, for a number of different companies in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas, as a contract programmer/analyst. 

My husband and I moved to southern Colorado in 1999 and lived in a very small town (Aguilar) for 13 years.  We decided to move to the southern Oregon coast (Bandon) in 2013 and lived there for 9 years.  After we divorced, I moved back to Boulder in 2022 and, among other things, began attending the UU church.

I’ve been a weaver and collage artist.  I love to read and I walk most days.  I was fortunate to be able to walk on the beautiful Oregon beaches for a number of years and now I’m enjoying the many trails in Boulder – particularly around Chautauqua.

Brad Hugunin

Brad is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Colorado in 2014 without knowing a single soul. In 2015, he met his partner, Don, who is the Director of Bands at CU-Boulder and has been in Boulder ever since.

He was born and raised Catholic and didn’t see the light outside of Catholicism until he moved to Colorado and began his journey of self-exploration. Many churches nowadays say they are accepting of lgbtqia+ individuals, yet they still aren’t allowed to get married in the church. There is so much hypocrisy in religion, but UUCB is anything but that. It doesn’t matter where you came from, what religion you are, whether you believe or don’t, we’re all just trying to become better people and make the world a better place, united by love and respect.

Brad began attending UUCB in 2019 and is excited to finally become a member! He is on the UUCB Finance Council, and has been active with the Soul Matters and Wine and Spirits groups. He sits on the Downtown Boulder Community Advisory Board, was a member of the Boulder County Leadership Fellows Class last year, and spends most weeks attending community events or serving dinner at the Boulder Homeless Shelter.

Brad is a Commercial Lender and Realtor and loves all things real estate. He spends any free time running, biking, playing tennis or piano. Brad and Don enjoy walking their two puppy sisters, Honey & Kona, or attending CU Buffs football games or CU Presents Concerts.

Di Mapes

I discovered the UU tribe at WUULF (Western Unitarian Universalist Life Festival), the Ghost Ranch summer camp, while camping with my young daughter.  I’ve served at WUULF in various ways. When I lived in Denver, I joined the Capital Hill church there. I now work part time helping families with unofficial nursing or organizing. I also give drum circles when asked, and sing in UUCB’s choir.  I like to walk my dog and take dance classes.