Where: Judy Lucero’s art studio space in Denver

What: In “Riders on the Storm,” I investigated Colorado’s mental health care system. What I found was so nuanced that we “elevated” the story that appeared in the December issue to a fully interactive story on 5280.com/mental health. Online, you’ll meet Judy Lucero, a talented artist who also has a bipolar diagnosis. She let me follow her one morning as she worked on a three-piece abstract painting (final product is pictured above). She spoke with me about how her illness progressed and how she re-found her creative self after decades of fighting for her health.

Riders on the Storm: Meet Artist Judy Lucero from 5280 on Vimeo.

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Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner is a Denver-based writer and the former Articles Editor for 5280.