This year's CO Prepper Expo is honored to host a variety of interesting speakers. These folks are taking the time to share their knowledge and experience with us over the course of the three-day weekend.
Each speaker is unique so no talk is going to sound the same or likely even be on the same topic. Some speakers will be sharing stories, advice and skills while others may be talking about a recent book they wrote or simply offering a Q&A session on their area of expertise.
If you are interested in speaking at this year's event fill out the form below. We are interested in any prepper related topics such as hunting, navigation, CBRN response, gun maintenance, etc.
*Please Note* Hate speech, bullying, or degrading comments referring to topics such as political affiliation, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. If this occurs you will be escorted from the grounds immediately. This is a family friendly event where all are welcome so keep the topics clean and kind.
Ben Davidson
Ben Davidson is a researcher, speaker, and founder of Suspicious0bservers, known for his thought-provoking presentations on the dynamic relationship between solar activity, Earth’s magnetosphere, and the planet’s climate and geology. Drawing from the Electric Universe theory, Ben challenges conventional scientific narratives by emphasizing the critical role of electromagnetic forces in shaping Earth’s systems. His work explores topics such as space weather, magnetic pole shifts, and the possibility of recurring cataclysmic cycles linked to solar behavior. In addition to natural science, Ben delves into the broader implications of space weather on human health, consciousness, and societal trends - offering a unique blend of scientific data, alternative models, and predictive insight that resonates with audiences worldwide.
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Jason Schwartz
Jason Schwartz is the founder of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft (RMB), a blog with over 6 million pageviews. Rocky Mountain Bushcraft has been linked to or featured by Mykel Hawke of Man, Woman, Wild; UK bushcrafter and TV star Ray Mears; Gerber Gear; Cold Steel; SOG Knives; The Firearm Blog (TFB); Henry Rifles; Leatherman; The International Business Times; Mercury News; and Gear Junkie.
Jason is an Army and Air Force National Guard veteran, a former Red Cross-certified Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor, and the author of Bear Safety in the Outdoors and Edible & Medicinal Survival Plants of the Rocky Mountains, part of the Pocket Survival Guide series by Waterford Press. He has also written for Backpacker Magazine and The New Pioneer Magazine, including the 2015 Woodsman's Almanac and 2016 Bushcraft Almanac.
In 2014, Jason was hired by Hultafors/Hults Bruk Axes of Sweden as an expert consultant to determine whether their axes could be successfully marketed in the United States. His written assessment convinced Hultafors executives to enter the U.S. market the following year. He was then asked to edit and partially rewrite The Hults Bruk Axe Book for the American market and to help revise the shape of their axe handles to better suit U.S. buyers. As such, all first-year U.S. model Hults Bruk Axes included a note of thanks to Rocky Mountain Bushcraft in the back of their accompanying axe books.
Jason's real world preparedness experience comes from being a registered FEMA survivor of the 2013 Colorado Flood Disaster near Estes Park, Colorado. He has also been forced to evacuate from multiple wildfires in that region and spent two winters (2012 to 2014) living in a tent in the Rocky Mountain wilderness of western Boulder County, Colorado, with nothing more than a sleeping bag to keep him warm at night.
Jason will be giving talks on Winter Survival in Urban/Suburban/Rural Environments & Vehicle Winter Survival Kits, How to Barter/Trade with Neighbors and Businesses during Hard Times and Preparedness Items that most people forget to stock up on and more.
Rory Scoles
Joining us again is Rory Scoles. Rory moved out onto a remote 40-acre parcel in Northeast Minnesota 18 years ago with his then young family and began to homestead like the apocalypse had already happened. His experiences include building remote cabins with hand tools only and minimum imported materials, becoming proficient at traditional calorie rich food skills such as sugar making, Wild ricing and processing, practical small-scale farming and animal husbandry, hunting, trapping, unassisted homebirths, wilderness travel and traversing and more.
His talk: Beyond Collapse & Calamity. What 18 years of remote, off grid living has illuminated for me and my family. Tools and tips on how to analyze your current living situation for life after SHTF, how to start transitioning to a more independent, land-based way of life and how doing so will enrich your life, feed your soul, and make you resilient and healthy. Q&A and 15-minute skill share at the end.
Jim Bordwine
Nestled in the picturesque southern Appalachian Mountains lies Saltville, Virginia—a region steeped in history due to its abundant salt marshes, which once attracted prehistoric megafauna and Paleoamericans. As European settlers arrived, they quickly recognized the immense value of these salt deposits, transforming Saltville into one of America’s premier salt-making centers by the seventeenth century.
During the Civil War, Saltville played a critical role in the South’s survival, producing a significant portion of the Confederacy’s salt supply—an essential resource for preserving food and maintaining an army. The town became a battleground in 1864, witnessing two bloody conflicts that left a lasting imprint on its history.
Jim Bordwine’s roots in Saltville stretch back to the 1770s, with ancestors who lived through and fought in these defining moments. His dedication to preserving Saltville’s legacy goes beyond education—he is an active practitioner of traditional salt-making techniques, ensuring that this invaluable craft is passed down to future generations. By apprenticing his son, Baron Bordwine, Jim continues the time-honored traditions that sustained his ancestors for centuries.
Jim’s deep-rooted connection to Saltville, Virginia, one of America’s most important historical salt-making centers, has fueled his dedication to reviving and teaching this lost art of food preservation. In a time before refrigeration, salt was the key to ensuring survival—preserving meat, curing hides, and sustaining entire communities.
His talk:
Preservation with Salt
In this hands-on session, Jim will cover:
The critical role salt played in food preservation for centuries
How early settlers and soldiers relied on salt to store meat long-term
Traditional methods of curing and preserving food without refrigeration
Practical applications for modern preppers and homesteaders
Sean Harrison - Update!
Unfortunately, Sean is battling an illness and won’t be able to attend the show to speak. Please send him positive thoughts!
Sean Harrison is a catastrophic risk researcher and biblical analyst who bridges cutting-edge science with ancient prophecy. His work examines the coming solar magnetic collapse, tectonic upheavals, and climate anomalies—revealing how these events mirror scripture’s “birth pains.” Sean explores the deep ties between global agendas such as Agenda 2030 and the Great Reset and Revelation’s vision of a unified world system. His research investigates the rise of AI, transhumanism, and biometric control technologies as the emerging image and mark of the Beast, while uncovering the spiritual and geopolitical forces shaping humanity’s future.
Otis McGregor
Otis is an entrepreneur, inventor, author, and retired Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel with 25 years of service in the U.S. Army. Otis is passionate about helping others succeed. He uses his experience to develop great leaders and amazing organizations by providing fractional Chief Operating Officers for businesses. Otis has worked as Business Development Director and Chief Strategy Officer, managing multi-million-dollar programs that spanned construction, training, and information technology. Otis founded Tribe + Purpose to share his purpose of creating a legacy of leaders with others. He is a podcast host, resides in Colorado with his wife, and has three grown children.
TOPIC HE WILL DISCUSS: “How to Survive Chaos and Win.”
Chris Ellis
Dr. Chris Ellis is a career Army officer, disaster readiness expert, and lifelong student of how people, communities, and nations prepare for the worst. With over twenty-six years of military service—including time in combat zones and collaborative work across five continents—Chris has seen firsthand what resilience looks like under pressure.
Chris holds a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University, along with four other advanced degrees covering public policy, military strategy, and international security. His work blends academic insight with boots-on-the-ground experience, tackling big-picture threats like civil unrest, nuclear catastrophe, economic collapse, and even the end of the world.
His talk will cover highlights from his upcoming book: Resilient Citizens: The People, Perils, and Politics of Modern Preparedness. You can find out more here, www.resilientcitizens.com.
Katie Sanders
Katie Sanders is a Certified Master Clinical Herbalist, weaver, homesteader, and author of nine books. She is a Colorado native whose mission is to help others become more sustainable and self-sufficient whilst increasing biodiversity and food production and inspiring mindful ways to live. Katie is the founder of Garden Fairy Apothecary, Cedar & Loom, and her current ten year old apothecary and art gallery, White Wolf, now located in downtown Canon City. She is the writer of the popular, informative, and often hilarious blog, Farmgirl School. (Farmgirlschool.blog)
Class one: The Herbal Medic; herbs and first aid for minor emergencies- Master herbalist and homesteader, Katie Sanders, will be speaking about several herbs that are easy to grow or forage and how to turn them into powerful medicine that can be used in minor emergency situations and how to administer them.
Class two: Regenerative Agriculture on a Small Scale- No matter how big or small one's plot of land is, there are efficient ways to garden without chemicals and increase biodiversity and soil health in order to have healthier food and a sustainable ecosystem. Gardening and homesteading in the high desert is much different than other places. Colorado Native and homesteader, Katie Sanders, will be teaching several techniques to creating a sustainable ecosystem on your homestead.
Bill Christie
Bill retired in 2015 after a 40-year career as a regulatory compliance officer for the USEPA, Boeing, United Technologies, and General Electric. Those years were punctuated with providing training and education programs in emergency response and disaster preparedness. Faculty affiliations included community colleges, emergency management institutes, fire training academies, USDHS/FEMA, and the Malaysia Fire & Rescue Academy.
After an Honorable Discharge from the USAF, Bill earned a BS in Biology, a MS in Environmental Science, and a MA in Instructional Methodology along with three professional certifications.
Bill offers a discussion on disaster preparedness planning based on his books: “Precautionary Measures – A Primer of What Ifs” and “The Little Big Book of Water.” Both are compendiums of practical information for preparedness, self-reliance, and survival.
Elli King
Elli King has been raising children in a wilderness setting for over 20 years. Rooted in relationship, her life's journey has been about pursuit of the natural arc of the human being. As a teenager and young adult, she felt that the modern constructs of life would not be around forever, so the best plan for the future of humanity was to begin re-learning how to live from what we can do with our own two hands. She holds a PHD in child-rearing, runs a nature childcare in town, keeps the family business from going bankrupt and occasionally helps chase cows. In her free time she enjoys gardening, gathering and preparing medicinal plants, watching the children, and petting the family dog.
Presentation Description:
Homebirth and Child-rearing in a Wilderness Setting In this class, we will talk about the every day reality raising children without the conveniences of modern life, (including the day that they are born!). Only 100 years ago, this is something that every person in this country would at least be familiar with. Now, parents can barely consider taking their children camping. From laundry and hygiene to bugs and cold temperatures, from relationship and communication to personal and emotional well-being, we will discuss the basics of how to hold your family's health and happiness together with your own, universally present resources.
Michael Enos
Executive & Innovator in Hydroponics
Michael Enos is an entrepreneur and engineer specializing in sustainable growing systems. With a background in hydrology and water management, he transitioned from environmental consulting to founding technology ventures, including LifePonic Solutions, where he helped develop patented vertical hydroponic systems.
Michael focuses on advancing efficient, user-friendly systems that make fresh food production more accessible. Known for blending technical expertise with a passion for sustainability, he continues to lead efforts that connect engineering innovation with real-world agricultural impact.
Jayme Domejka
Owner, Wild Oasis Permaculture - Design and Consulting
Program Director, Pikes Peak Permaculture
Jayme Domejka is a Colorado native who currently resides just East of Colorado Springs on her five-acre homestead with a farm full of animals and an ever-evolving garden. First certified in permaculture in 2014, she has continued her education to further her skills in many topics that reside under the permaculture umbrella that included completing her certification from the Soil Food Web school in 2020 and Drylands Permaculture in 2021 and Permaculture Teacher Training in 2023. Jayme is currently the Program Director at Pikes Peak Permaculture where she works in collaboration with the PPP team to plan, execute and teach classes, workshops, and skills trainings.
In 2024, the El Paso County Conservation District recognized Jayme as their educator of the year, and she was subsequently awarded the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts 2024 Educator of the year for her outstanding work teaching the principles of regeneration and resilience. She is the owner of Wild Oasis Permaculture, a consultation and design company whose prime mission is to create value for clients through permaculture design and education. Through her work with students and clients she is living her passion.
Foley Quinn
Foley Quinn is a passionate advocate for energy independence, committed to making sustainable energy solutions accessible to all. As President of Next Energy Solution Inc., (NES) a solar energy company in Northern Wisconsin since 2013, he has focused on pioneering off-grid solar and energy storage applications. Foley champions DIY solar solutions, empowering homeowners, small businesses, and farms to transition to clean energy affordably. With a track record of over 1,000 successful solar installations adhering to the highest NABCEP-certified standards, he also brings extensive experience from his role as North American solar sales manager for Profab Industries in Manitoba. Additionally, Foley holds three patents pending in the energy fastener industry, showcasing his innovative approach. Join him in the mission to create a brighter, cleaner energy landscape for all.
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Shane Dugan
Shane Dugan is the co-owner of Icecube Enterprises in Remer, Minnesota, a multifaceted business specializing in wild-harvested chaga mushroom products, antiques, and online auctions. A former postal carrier, Dugan discovered chaga growing in his own backyard and transformed that discovery into one of Minnesota’s largest professional chaga operations, shipping globally to customers in Europe and Asia. He oversees sustainable harvesting and processing practices, ensuring all products meet Minnesota Department of Health and Agriculture standards. Beyond chaga, Dugan is also a licensed firearms dealer and continues to innovate in natural health remedies through Icecube Herbals.
Shane will do a 40 min spot with a Q & A to follow. Topics include highlights of some of his products and their benefits, Methods of extractions, Why Tinctures, and We are what we eat.