
Rhonda Fields and Christine Wolfe went through every mother’s worst nightmare when Rhonda’s son Javad and Christine’s daughter Vivian were gunned down in Aurora in 2005. The two young adults were engaged to be married and Javad was to be a witness for the prosecution in a murder trial. In the aftermath, Rhonda Fields founded the Fields Foundation in her son’s honor and Christine joined her in creating the Fields Wolfe Memorial Fund. Money raised goes to scholarships for Colorado State University students—their son and daughter’s alma mater.

CSU President Amy Parsons and Rhonda Fields are part of the happy group celebrating the $10,000 donation from Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation.
Rhonda went on to serve 17 years in both the Colorado House and Senate, advancing legislation to advocate for victims’ rights and stricter gun laws. As a new legislator in the midst of controversial measures, she received death threats and then-Governor John Hickenlooper assigned state protection for her. In January, she transitioned from the State Capitol to a commissioner role for Arapahoe County.

Award recipients U.S Sen. John Hickenlooper (left), and Jill and Michael White
On Saturday, July 26, supporters gathered at the Denver Botanic Gardens to honor the 20th anniversary of the Memorial Fund. During a gorgeous summer evening, guests enjoyed the gardens, mingled, donated funds and were motivated by inspiring stories of speakers and award recipients. Organic Roots Catering presented a light buffet and beverages, and Simone Ross served as program emcee.
Honorees were: Sen. John Hickenlooper, former CSU President Albert Yates, survivors-advocates Jill and Michael White and co-founder of Colorado Ceasefire Eileen McCarron. CSU scholars were on hand to share their stories, and in a surprise announcement, Rhonda Fields was moved to tears when she was honored with an award medallion for her work as a legislator and for the Memorial Fund.

Bill and award recipient Eileen McCarron
The Fields Wolfe Memorial Fund was created in memory of Javad Marshall Fields and Vivian Wolfe. Dedicated to advocating victims’ rights and strengthening witness protection programs, the organization partners with CSU to offer college scholarships to the university for deserving students. The scholarships don’t stop after a year or two. They all follow each student’s path into and through graduate studies. To learn more, go to the organization’s website: https://www.fieldswolfememorialfund.org/ as well as its page on Facebook.
- Angela Garland, board president of Cherry Creek Schools (left) with Connie Nosler
- Rhonda Fields and CSU President Amy Parsons (third and fourth from left), with university reps
- Dr. Vanessa Davis Warner
- (l to r): Carolyn Love, Joette Bailey-Keown, Gloria Montgomery
- (l to r): Dr. Vanessa Davis-Warner, Debra Miller, Doris and George Gaines
- (l to r): Jen, Max and Alex Nelson
- (l to r): Christian Overbey, Karen Middleton, Ilana Spiegel
- Guests enjoyed the Denver Botanic Gardens Annuals Garden Pavilion event site.
- Randy Fischer, Zion and Nyrema Fields
- “PM Girl” and Pastor Lee Grove
- (l to r): Ilana Spiegel, Dr. Tameka Brigham, Maisha Fields
- Bernice Veney (left) and Toya Nelson
- Nazir and Raven-Syamone Wattley
- Guests continue to arrive at the event.
- (l to r): Andrew Short, State Rep. Michael Carter, Alex Austin, Katharine Marrs
- Pastor Marlon Saunders, Hope City Church of Colorado, gave the invocation
- Maisha Fields and award-winner U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper
- Emcee Simone Ross
- CSU grad Maisha Fields speaks on behalf of award recipient and former CSU President Dr. Albert Yates, who was unable to attend.
- Arapahoe County Commissioner (and longtime Colorado legislator) Rhonda Fields prepares to present the Trailblazer Award medallion to Sen. John Hickenlooper.
- Michael White talks about legislation he and his wife Jill were part of, with more to come, after their cyclist son was killed by an inattentive driver near Boulder.
- Rhonda Fields (right) prepares to present survivors and advocates Michael and Jill White with their award medal.
- Eileen McCarron (left) and Rhonda Fields
- Civic Courage Award for Gun Safety recipient Eileen McCarron, co-founder of Colorado Ceasefire
- Fields Wolfe CSU scholarship recipient Raven-Syamone Wattley
- Rhonda Fields hugs a CSU scholarship recipient
- Paddle raise participant
- Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation reps present their donation of $10,000 to Fields Wolfe Memorial Fund for CSU scholarships.
- CSU President Amy Parsons, one of many wearing Rams green
- Rhonda Fields was overcome with emotion after a surprise award was presented to her to honor her work as a legislator and with the Fields-Wolfe Memorial Fund.
- Rhonda Fields receives a heartfelt hug.
- Award recipients U.S Sen. John Hickenlooper (left), and Jill and Michael White
- CSU President Amy Parsons
- Fields family reps talk about the work of surprised honoree Rhonda Fields.
- Rhonda Fields smiles as she receives flowers in addition to her award medallion.
- Generations of family members gather after the ceremony.
- CSU President Amy Parsons and Rhonda Fields are part of the happy group celebrating the $10,000 donation from Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation.
- Bill and award recipient Eileen McCarron
- Commissioner Rhonda Fields (left) and State Sen. Jessie Danielson
- Checking great phone pix from the evening
- Christine Wolfe (left) and Commissioner Rhonda Fields
- Just one of the many hugs throughout the evening.