Michelle Denise Rogers

Michelle Denise Rogers, age 42, died way too soon in Denver, Colorado, on August 3rd, 2024, after a battle with cancer that was most days epically long and, to some degree, too short as well. She was a devoted wife to Jeremy, loving mother to Mason, daughter to Barry, Colleen, and Bill, sister to Lisa, cousin to many amazing family members, and a friend to countless people, probably including you. 

She worked tirelessly in the mental health field, advocating for those who needed it most as a licensed professional and addictions counselor. Her passion for helping others carried into her personal life as well, from her efforts to bring awareness to trans mental health and rights to her love of helping animals. We’re surprised she didn’t adopt all of the dogs and cats that crossed her path. She was a badass vegan who only mildly shamed you for eating or using animal products but more so sought to educate on the benefits and the reasoning behind protecting our furry friends.

Some of Michelle’s proudest accomplishments included getting her Masters degree at the University of Colorado, teaching her kiddo how to drive, being a ‘completely average but overly enthusiastic’ Irish dancer (her words), showing up at her bestie Angie’s wedding as Matron of Honor, and seeing Mason graduate High School. Weirdly that Neil Young concert at Red Rocks where she thought she saw a UFO and her dad had to tell her it was the moon didn’t make the cut, but we’d guess she was proud of that moment, too.

 Please join us in remembering Michelle as she saw herself—as a lightning rod, a truth-teller, an advocate, a warrior, a liberal, and again her words, a bit of an asshole. Our Michelle kept it real; she was, at her core, courageous, authentic, funny, relatable, refreshing, protective, and trustworthy. Michelle lived out loud always and was quick to laugh. She kept going until the wheels flew off. We love her dearly and will miss her always. 

 Michelle’s Celebration of Life will be held at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie, Colorado, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. You’re encouraged to visit the rescued barn animals at 4:15, followed by eulogies at 5:15. You can read more and RSVP at this link.

 If you’d like to honor Michelle, might we humbly suggest the following in lieu of flowers:

• First and foremost, if you have a kiddo, please vaccinate them for HPV if you haven’t already.

• Consider sponsoring an at-risk youth or volunteering to do so in Michelle’s memory. 

• Give to CGCA (Colorado Gynecological Cancer Alliance), which Michelle rallied to rename from Colorado Woman’s Cancer Association because it’s not just women with gynecological needs.

• Support Compassion Road Academy or Tier Transition School Support. These support structures change lives.

• Do something that helps others and brings you joy. It’s what Michelle would do.