THE STORIES

Jordan Suter's Return to Rural Story- 

Sterling native Jordan Suter believes being involved in the community is the way to bring about change.

Suter left Sterling after high school, playing baseball in college while pursuing his degree in biology, and then spent five and a half years as a forensic scientist.

It was family ties that inspired his desire to return to his hometown – Suter is the fourth generation on his mom’s side to live here, and the third on his dad’s side – but he didn’t know what he’d be able to do for a career, given his background in biology.

Then he got an job offer from Thrivent, which he was familiar with because his family had worked with the financial planning firm.

“I was really thankful to be able to do that, because I had always wanted to be around my family and serve this community, but had never really had the opportunity,” he said.

Suter moved back about two and a half years ago and jumped right into getting as involved within the community as possible.

His own passion for the community shines through when he talks about how he would encourage others to consider living and working in Sterling.

He said he’d encourage those from the Front Range and other urban areas to come visit the community and see what it’s about, because he feels that they might have misconceptions about rural Colorado based on clichés that don’t capture the generous spirit of the people here.

And for those who moved away but might be open to returning, like him, his plea is more direct: “We need you out here. This community needs more young people… that care and want to make a difference, and you can only make a difference if you get involved.”

“Being able to coach high school kids and show them that it is cool to leave, do your thing and go learn about the world, go experience some stuff – there’s nothing wrong with that. But coming home, there’s nothing wrong with that. You can be a good person and care about your community and just serve; that’s the whole point.”

“I just want to leave a mark, and hopefully it’s a positive one,” he said. 

#returntorural #RuralIsRad #ReimagineRural

Dave Johnson - General Manager Magnifi

After years of managing high-pressure sales teams and navigating the fast-paced corporate world, I found myself craving something simpler. When a small telecom company in Sterling, Colorado offered me a position, I knew it was exactly what I’d been searching for. The town’s charm, with its wide-open spaces and close-knit community, felt like the perfect place to not only continue working but also to eventually retire.

I was ready to leave behind the hustle and settle into a slower, more fulfilling pace. Working for a smaller company meant I could make a meaningful impact without the constant grind. Sterling gave me the chance to do what I love while enjoying the peace and balance I’d been missing. It felt like the right move for my next chapter, both in work and in life.

Christina Perez-Giordano - Business owner

While I have never lived in rural Colorado, I've always wanted a rural life. I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie and it was all I ever dreamed of doing. Of course life happens and in spite of living and settling in a suburban neighborhood in the growing outskirts of Colorado Springs the pull never went away. We continued to learn to grow food, use regenerative practices, make soaps, bake, raise chickens and bunnies and fed the ache until an opportunity to purchase a property with 3 greenhouses in Sterling literally fell in our laps. 3 years of living in Sterling has quite literally fulfilled my dream of living in a little house on the prairie. Our adventure has us trying to create a sustainable business utilizing the lessons learned from and in the "big city". Our passion for food, flowers, and plants raised without pesticides and using the animals that live with us in a cycle of regenerative practices is where we will continue to grow. It was a long road to get here and so it is my tiny version of returning to rural. Our family of five, plus the grandparents and a godpop all moved out here. We hope to be able to grow our business and connections and make this move forever. City life has no draw on this rural one! Returning to rural is a return to our roots and a simpler fuller life.