Happy trails, Mike

Michael Colpo, one of the first graduates of the University of Nevada, Reno’s literature and environment graduate program, passed away on Dec. 7 at age 36. Colpo received his Master’s degree through the L+E program and went on to work for Patagonia for 11 years. He edited Patagonia’s environmental blog, The Cleanest Line, and also served as an activist, writer and mountain guide. Colpo and his wife Elizabeth were married in August.

Michael Branch, professor in the L+E program, said, “Mike Colpo was a climber, writer, editor, musician, husband, teacher and activist of great energy, conviction and humor. We are blessed to have had him as part of our L&E family, and he will be missed.”

Colpo’s family has requested that any donations go toward the Nevada Wilderness Project (www.wildnevada.org) or the Nevada Land Conservancy (www.nvlc.org).