Meet Kathi Mccarty | Meth Toxins Prevention Educator & Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathi Mccarty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathi, what are you inspired by?
Certainly! When thinking about what inspires me, I reflect consider the following areas to help expand on your thoughts:

Personal Growth and Resilience:

Reflect on the journey you’ve been through, particularly how you’ve transformed challenges into opportunities. How does your personal growth inspire you to keep moving forward, even when the path is tough?
Consider the resilience you’ve built and how it empowers you to face new challenges. What about your story inspires others to find strength in their struggles?
Impact on Others:

Think about the impact your work has on others—whether it’s educating property owners, advocating for stronger legislation, or simply sharing your story. How does knowing you’re making a difference inspire you to keep going?
How does the ripple effect of your actions—helping others avoid similar pitfalls—inspire you to continue your mission?
Connection with People:

Consider the relationships you’ve built along the way—family, friends, professional connections. How do these connections inspire you?
How does the support from these individuals fuel your passion and drive to keep fighting for your cause?
The Bigger Picture:

Reflect on your mission and the bigger purpose behind it. What about the larger impact—on communities, legislation, or even future generations—fuels your passion?
How does the idea of leaving a legacy inspire you to continue pushing forward?
Creative Problem-Solving:

Think about the innovative solutions you’ve come up with to address the challenges you’ve faced. How does the process of turning obstacles into opportunities inspire your creativity and determination?
How do you find inspiration in the challenges themselves, seeing them as puzzles to be solved rather than setbacks?
Vision for the Future:

Envision the future you’re working towards. What inspires you about the possibilities that lie ahead?
How does your vision of a safer, more informed world drive your daily actions and long-term goals?
Stories of Others:

Consider the stories of others who have faced similar challenges. How do their journeys inspire you?
How does witnessing the strength and resilience in others—whether through the people you help or those you work with—motivate you to keep going?
Expanding on these areas can help you articulate what truly inspires you and provide a deeper, richer understanding of your motivations and passion.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
While most people understand the dangers of methamphetamine use, few know just how hazardous the toxic residue can be from smoking or manufacturing the drug . This residue is usually invisible but poses risks, sometimes severe to the health of anyone who comes into contact with it.

I have yet to find a similar organizations. Experts in testing, remediation, and title companies have classes to bring a level of awareness to the real estate and property management professionals. What sets Meth Toxins Awareness Alliance apart is our focus on protection and prevention through three key pillars: Education, Advocacy, and Resources. We are committed to protecting all occupants, all property types, their owners, industry professionals, civic groups, nonprofits, and government agencies from the devastating impacts of methamphetamine contamination. The health and financial impacts are undisputable by many including law enforcement, criminal justice system, social services and non profit organizations.

Through presentations, workshops, and classes—both in-person and online I provide essential education and raise awareness about this growing threat. Along with others impacted, industry experts and legislative leaders, advocate for stronger legislation to protect property owners and tenants, partnering with professionals across all areas of real estate to ensure comprehensive support.

Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and resources necessary to safeguard your health, those of loved ones, and help safeguard your financial security. And for those impacted, industry experts can offer a roadmap to ethical and safe property restoration.

I’m particularly proud of our advocacy efforts to enhance state laws around methamphetamine toxin disclosure after a property has been remediated to our Colorado state standard. While we haven’t yet achieved full legislative success, our work passing SB23-148 during our 2023 session, has led to significant progress. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has improved public access to data on contaminated properties, even after remediation, and has strengthened tenant rights regarding uninhabitable living conditions. This is just the beginning, and we remain committed to advancing our research and advocacy.

When people ask how I came to this work, I tell them it chose me—it’s a mission, a gift born from my own life-altering experience with meth contamination. In 2016, a serious health event required me to step away from my 30+ year career in lending and banking. The following year, after my youngest left for college, I decided to temporarily rent out my home in Evergreen, Colorado to offset medical costs and focus on my next chapter. I hired a reputable property management company and secured the necessary home insurance endorsements, confident that I had taken all the right steps.

Within 90 days of the tenant taking possession, I was informed of what was described as a minor maintenance issue. When I visited the property the next morning, I was shocked to find major excavation equipment and an enormous hole in my driveway. The situation was far from minor. Local authorities later confirmed that my tenant had set up a meth lab inside the cabin, complete with other dangerous drug manufacturing equipment inside and out, weapons, along with large quantities of drugs. My home was deemed uninhabitable and condemned by the county. Additionally, I was shocked to also learned that my insurance excluded coverage for contaminants including meth toxins, and the tenant’s policy was voided due to his criminal actions. This was a very common exclusion with all residential property policies. What I thought was a sound decision quickly became my worst nightmare.

How had I not learned of meth toxins through my career or my own personal property purchases starting in 1988? Training in the lending industry was non existent, and the real estate professionals knowledge was found to be spotty at best. This experience set me on a path to prevent others from facing a similar fate. The journey has been incredibly challenging, costing me my home, safety, financial security, and the legacy I intended to pass on to my family. Yet, despite the trauma and loss, I am profoundly grateful that no one was physically harmed. The dangerous activities not only destroyed my home but also put my neighbors and entire community at risk. This fuels my passion for this mission and my dedication to creating meaningful positive change.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d plan an unforgettable itinerary that captures some of the best of what our epic Front Range has to offer while sharing some of what I have discovered after almost 30 years exploring captivating landscapes, music festivals and venues. We would soak in God’s paintbrush of fire sky sunrises and magical sunsets while soaking in natural hot springs. Eating, drinking and dancing at local hangouts would offer a chance to meet fellow travelers and friendly, fun locals too . Days would be packed with biking, hiking, kayaking and soaking in hot springs our way around quaint mountain towns with lakes and reservoirs, wineries and breweries, music festivals and more… Here’s how the week might unfold:

Day 1: After early DIA pick-up – Exploring Denver. Morning start with breakfast at Snooze
Mid-Morning: Head over to Union Station for a tour of this historic landmark, grab a coffee, and browse the local shops. Electric Scooter rental to cover more of the downtown vibe. Afternoon: Chihuly Exhibit and stroll through Botanical Gardens. Evening: Dinner outside where farm-to-table dining meets a cozy, eclectic vibe.

Day 2: Boulder’s Best with beverage and breakfast at Chautauqua Park and checking out the Flatirons! Then head west for a bike ride around Dillon Reservoir, patio time, landing in Breck at The Grand on Peak 8 where I stay overnight for closing and opening hot tubs.

Day 3: Head over to Green Mtn Reservoir area for camping, kayaking a favorite close quiet lake complete with waterfall, moose and wildflowers including the white columbines. Night life is complete with stargazing around the fire with good campfire food and connection.

Day 4 Return back to the Front Range and enjoy a tour of the Foothills communities including hiking and then patio time including cold beers, great burgers, fun music at Cactus Jacks along Bear Creek in my town of Evergreen.

Day 5:: .Continue exploring the area then tailgate and catch a concert at the world renown Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Day 6-7 Countdown and explore the history and night life of Central City and Blackhawk areas including the mines, restaurants and casino night life overnight complete with rooftop pool. Head back down to catch downtown Denver shopping and eateries before a DIA drop off.

Being a mountain girl living in our Front Range Foothills, this itinerary covers a mix of outdoor adventures beyond the city limits, The road less traveled with foodie type experiences, exploration, and chill time. We will leave with amazing memories and a true taste of Colorado with a sincere passion to explore more of what we were unable to cover in 1 week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I won’t sugarcoat it—these have been some of the toughest times. When dealing with methamphetamine contamination, there’s no FEMA aid, no insurance coverage, and yet the mortgage still needs to be paid, along with testing costs and legal fees. But through this ordeal, I’ve learned to measure progress not by what was lost but by the resilience I’ve gained. This experience didn’t defeat me; it made me stronger, and it has created a ripple effect that extends beyond just me and my family.

The legacy of my cabin, once meant solely for my family, now serves a greater purpose—it’s a testament to the strength we can all find within ourselves. My gratitude runs deep for my family—my sister Marci, my three grown children, and their spouses—who’ve supported me in exceptional ways on this rollercoaster ride. I’m also profoundly thankful for the dear friends who offered emotional support, laughter, adventures, along with my sister a place to live over a time span of years..

Many professional connections have evolved into cherished friendships and mentors, guiding me from feeling a victim to visionary, both personally and professionally. A special thank you to Senator Lisa Cutter for championing legislation to protect Coloradans, including laws addressing methamphetamine contamination. Navigating the State Capitol was an eye-opening experience, and I’m grateful for her leadership.

To the professionals across various industries who support Meth Toxins Awareness Alliance’s mission to educate, advocate, and provide resources—I deeply appreciate your integrity, expertise, and dedication.

Words can’t fully express my gratitude, but from the bottom of my heart—From every cell in my heart, Thank You All!

Website: https://methtoxinsalliance.com/

Instagram: @toxinfreezone

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathi-mccarty/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/methtoxinsalliance

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=meth+toxins+awareness+alliance

Image Credits
Jennifer McNiven Photography
Stephanie Perlowski
West Metro Drug Task Force
Leigh Brown – Crazy Sh** in Real Estate
Kathi McCarty