Tara Michelle Smith, age 46, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on April 30, 2026. She was born on May 18, 1979, in Aurora, Colorado, to Terry and Meredith Smith, and remained a proud lifelong resident of Aurora.

Tara was an energetic and active child who loved spending time with neighborhood friends, school friends, and especially her brother, Brad. During elementary school and early middle school, she was active in Camp Fire Girls and embraced every adventure that came her way. Summers were often spent in Omaha with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins Scott, Matt, and Jill. Those family gatherings created treasured memories full of laughter, imagination, and fun. From an early age, Tara was deeply creative, with a vivid imagination and a love for writing stories.

Tara had a lifelong passion for learning. She attended Rangeview High School and graduated in 1997. During her years there, she immersed herself in music, playing clarinet in the marching band, piano in jazz band, and marimba with the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. A psychology class during her senior year sparked what would become her life’s calling: helping others through mental health care.

She attended the University of Northern Colorado, where she studied psychology and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at UNC, Tara continued playing clarinet in the marching band and even spent time as a DJ for the campus radio station, sharing another of her great loves — music. Her academic achievements earned her induction into the Golden Key Honor Society and Mortar Board Honor Society.

Tara continued her education at the University of Denver, earning her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2006. While there, she became a member of the Graduate School of Social Work’s Phi Alpha Honor Society before beginning a meaningful and compassionate career dedicated to helping others.

In her early years as a social worker, Tara devoted herself to working with offenders transitioning from incarceration back into their communities. Through counseling, therapy, and skill-building, she helped many people rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Her dedication led her to also become a licensed addiction counselor. During the last six years of her life, Tara worked as an evaluator for Peer Assistance Services, partnering closely with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Tara lived her life fully and passionately. She loved to travel, with England holding a special place in her heart. Music was one of her lifelong joys, and she attended concerts by her favorite artists whenever possible. She cherished time with friends and family and proudly served as the “game master” during family gatherings. She especially loved visiting Tennessee to spend time with her brother Brad, Samantha, and her beloved nephews Kasen and Cash. She adored her little dog, Mojo.

And above all else, Tara loved her Denver Broncos. She attended games whenever she could and even traveled to England twice to watch them play. In honor of Tara and the joy she brought to every room, family and friends are encouraged to wear Broncos gear to her Celebration of Life — she would absolutely love that.

Though Tara’s life was far too short, she filled it with compassion, laughter, music, adventure, and love. She leaves behind countless memories and a lasting impact on all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Mental Health Colorado in memory of Tara.