AUG 2024 | MAKING MORE POSSIBLE |
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Rundola Raises $25K for Good Neighbor Fund |
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The 14th Telluride Foundation Rundola shattered records, attracting 820 participants to the challenging mountain course. The annual footrace brought together locals and visitors looking to start their holiday festivities with a dose of cardio and a rush of endorphins helping a good cause. We are proud to announce that in its first year serving as a Good Neighbor Fund (GNF) fundraiser, the Rundola raised an impressive $25K.
The GNF, which has awarded $1.3 million in emergency financial aid to 944 local families since 2020, serves as a critical safety net for residents and the workforce of the Telluride region. Amy Rowan, manager of the GNF, emphasized the timely nature of receiving this support, because of without it, funds would have likely run out by the end of June.
Adding to the day's excitement, both men's and women's course records were broken. Ryan Becker claimed the fastest male finish at 20:24.8, while Lindsay Allison set the new women's record at 26:56.8.
The event showcased Telluride's community spirit, with participants rallying together to lift a partially deflated start arch. All finishers received the event's famous commemorative hat, with early registrants also scoring a tote bag.
The Rundola has become a beloved 4th of July tradition with a powerful ability to bring the community together while directly impacting the lives of those most in need. The success of this year's event has set high expectations for our 15th-anniversary celebration in 2025. We can’t wait to see you all again next year!
To learn more about GNF and the Foundation's Community Grants program read the latest article featured in the Daily Planet. |
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Health & Wellbeing: TCHNetwork Strives to Build Healthier Communities |
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In our rural region, TCHNetwork continues to forge paths towards better health outcomes. Its mission goes beyond traditional healthcare paradigms, focusing on holistic approaches that enhance quality of life, while reducing costs and increasing access to vital services.
Last winter, TCHNetwork collaborated with San Miguel County and the West End of Montrose County to conduct a comprehensive Quality of Life Survey. Supported by the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, this survey delved into crucial non-medical factors such as housing, loneliness, access to mental health services, alcohol use, and community belonging. Findings reinforced the importance of TCHNetwork's mental and behavioral health initiatives, such as Communities that Care (CTC) and therapy scholarship funds. CTC provides essential support to middle and high school students, promoting healthy choices, fostering connections with trusted adults, and offering alternatives to substance use. Additionally, therapy scholarship funds ensure that mental health care remains accessible and affordable for all community members.
Despite Colorado's natural beauty, we face sobering statistics, ranking sixth highest in the nation for suicide rates. TCHNetwork is actively engaged in suicide prevention efforts, focusing on education, fostering community connectedness, compassionate responses to suicide incidents, and establishing robust grief support networks.
To meet the demand for behavioral health programming and support services, TCHNetwork has grown. Over the last five years, its staff has doubled in size, growing from 20 to 41. To better serve our rural region, TCHNetwork has embraced a progressive leadership model, transitioning in 2023 to a co-executive directorship, led by Amy Rowan, Matt Schroeder, and Melanie Montoya Wasserman. To discover more about TCHNetwork's transformative initiatives and how you can get involved, please visit tchnewtwork.org.
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Economic Empowerment: Stellar Air emerges from Energy Workforce Development Program |
Long-time local, Fletcher Otwell, faced a problem when trying to help his caretaking client install an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly mini-split heating and cooling system. Despite making calls to several HVAC businesses over a year, he found no one willing to do the work. Equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit, Fletcher is not one to shy away from a challenge. After taking a class offered by Tri-State, he learned about Telluride Foundation's Energy Workforce Development Program. This collaborative program with Eco-Action Partners provides a minimum wage for participants completing designated classes. Four courses and two certifications later, a new career surfaced. Fletcher founded Stellar Air, a cold climate air source heat pump installation business and is now busy helping clients improve efficiency, save money, and reduce their carbon output.
He is proud to be part of the BetterHVAC movement and is committed to driving change in the industry. Listen to his story. |
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4th Annual Community Fiesta |
One of the richest cultural experiences in Telluride, the annual Community Fiesta was held in Town Park with an estimated 750 people in attendance. This free community event celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month is organized by Collaborative Action for Immigrants, an organization fiscally sponsored by the Telluride Foundation.
A highlight of the event was the outdoor gear giveaway organized by Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC) as one of its initiatives to encourage equal access to the outdoors. Each spring, TMtC collects previously used outdoor gear during the annual Spring Clean-up Event and redistributes items that are in good shape during the Community Fiesta to those who may not be able to afford items like bikes, skis, and other gear. |
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Prognosis for Rural Healthcare |
Telluride Foundation hosted a panel discussion on rural healthcare, which drew an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 80 attendees.
The panel, featuring a lineup of impressive state, regional, & local healthcare experts, dove into the causes of rising healthcare costs in rural areas and the unique obstacles these communities face. Jeff Roberts shared an optimistic outlook for Telluride Medical Center, while Kaye Hotsenpillar presented successful delivery models from River Valley Health Centers. Marc Cabrera offered valuable industry insights, and Josh Ewing highlighted how broader healthcare inefficiencies impact rural communities.
Press play to listen to a short snippet where Cabrera highlights the differences between access in rural and metropolitan markets, crystalizing why hosting these community discussions are necessary. |
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One to One Mentoring - Mixing It Up In the Kitchen |
For over twenty years, the Telluride Foundation has supported One to One Mentoring Program through its Community Grants. We recognize their impact in shaping the lives of youth and adults in San Miguel County through mentor relationships. The organization currently supports 28 mentor/mentee relationships. Local Chris Yeh, a mentor with One to One, was matched with his mentee, Roberto, last December, and they have been spending a lot of time together. Roberto, a rising 7th grader, and Chris spend time snowboarding, hanging out around town, going on walks…really anything!
Chris learned about One to One at their annual cardboard sled derby fundraiser and thought the organization was incredible. For Chris, it seemed like a good way to give back to a community that has given him so much.
According to Chris, “Roberto teaches me a lot, like patience and just how much young kids go through these days, especially in a small town. It’s a different world, and they face challenges I didn’t. It’s such a rewarding experience to hang out with Roberto and teach him things I know and help him to be comfortable with being himself -- that he can do what he likes and doesn’t have to fall in line with what everyone else is doing. Be yourself! That’s what I try to teach him.”
One to One Mentoring’s signature annual fundraising event, Top Chef & Taste of Telluride will be held Thursday, August 8th at 5:30 pm at the Peaks Resort & Spa. It is the much anticipated and an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence and community support. Click to purchase tickets. |
Telluride Theater - The Fool Is Anything But |
Recently entertaining the Telluride community with a week of Shakespeare in the Park, Telluride Theatre provides performance, education, and enrichment throughout the year. Home to over 100 local artists, and, yes, every person you see on stage and running the show is a local. From librarians to teachers, carpenters to waiters, retail workers to chefs... Telluride Theatre provides artistic freedom and expression, community building, and a much-needed gathering space. The group produces year-round entertainment, education, and enrichment, and is a community hub for so many. It brings people together LIVE year-round with 5 main stage productions, various offerings, shows, and educational classes.
One of its performers, Niko Pantouch-Gonzalez, has been acting with Telluride Theatre for over 8 years. A cook at Counter Culture by day, he was most recently seen as Feste (the fool) in TWELFTH NIGHT, Shakespeare in the Park. Niko says of his experience "I do theatre because I love it! Telling a story with a group of skilled and talented people is a real joy. That is what makes me tick: the teamwork and camaraderie." His first show was as puppeteer in the giant man-eating plant in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS in 2015. "What I love most about Telluride Theatre is how inclusive the company is. Regardless of history/experience, if you show up and put in the work, there is gonna be a place for you."
Telluride Theatre, a Community Grant recipient of the Telluride Foundation, considers itself an educational theatre - with trained actors, designers, and artists on its roster as well as never-evers. Inclusive for all, if you want to be a part of the fun, it makes that possible. Telluride Theatre’s motto is Magic & Possibility… hope to see you at a show! For more information visit Telluride Theatre.
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HUB - Fighting Food Insecurity on All Fronts |
Summer is the time for Farmers’ Markets and beautiful, tasty vegetables and fruits, but for those who are food insecure, access to fresh produce isn’t always available or affordable. However, one nonprofit organization, the Fresh Foundation (HUB), is helping to address this dilemma through its dedication to food equity. With grants from the Telluride Foundation and other programs, it connects low-income and food-insecure community members to products from local farms and producers.
In 2024, the HUB will provide 120 CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes; 80 of which are part of the Town of Mountain Village’s Farm to Community Program, supporting income-qualified residents of MV. The HUB also works with the Ouray County WIC (Women Infants & Children) program, providing 15 WIC CSA boxes during the summer season, supported through Nourish Colorado.
The HUB manages two farmers markets weekly between mid-June and mid-October (one in Norwood and one in Mountain Village), representing a dozen local farms. The markets accept vouchers from food subsidy programs, including WIC, Double Up Bucks, EBT, and Food RX.
The HUB’s wholesale program provides access to local food, providing food to local institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses, including food pantries and senior meal programs. Year to date, the HUB has provided $5,823 in food subsidies and has purchased $58,759 of food directly from farms. Its regional partners include over 40 farms, from Palisade to Cortez.
In the fall of 2023, it absorbed the Norwood Food Pantry and in 2024 thus far has served 1,003 individuals. The pantry also runs a “Totes of Hope” program serving Norwood students over the three-day weekend, when school isn’t in session. |
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Summer Hikes
Waterfalls and Wildflowers |
Enjoy the spectacular views afforded only to those who get up high in the backcountry. Telluride staff has curated a set of hikes that feature incredible alpine vistas, vibrant wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and secret spots where you can forage for mushrooms. We'll coordinate transporation so all you need are sturdy shoes, hat, water, camera, and sunscreen. Hope Lake - Friday, Aug 2 Mushroom Hike with Lunch - Tuesday, Aug 13 Eider Creek Loop- Friday, Aug 30 Weibe & Owl Gulch with Lunch - Tuesday, Sept 10 |
| Human Resources Workshop
August 21, 2024 |
The Telluride Foundation and ASAP Powered by Dominion Payroll are hosting a workshop to help navigate the latest legislative and adminstrative changes in human resource law. Led by employment law expert, Michael Santo, the workshop is designed to provide in-depth analysis of new laws and regulations and offer guidance to help udpate employee handbooks. All businesses are welcome to attend.
9:00am - 12:00pm Wilkinson Libary/Zoom |
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Greening The Bottom Line August 21, 2024 |
How are the most important climate solutions being developed and financed? What role do carbon markets play? Our latest collaboration with Telluride Science features a panel discussion about this emerging topic moderated by local climate scientist, Adam Chambers. Panelists include Alex Eaton, founder of Sistema Bio, Campbell Moore, Managing Director, Carbon Markets, The Nature Conservancy, and Letitia Webster, Chief Sustainability Officer, Goldman Sachs.
4:30pm Donor Reception | 5:30pm Panel Discussion The Depot |
| Farm to Fork
September 12, 2024 |
Let's celebrate the rich agriculture heritage that exists in the West End of San Miguel and Montrose counties. Meet farmers, producers and ranchers to learn about their work and sample fresh food straight from the source. 5:30pm The Depot |
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| Help us grow the Telluride Foundation If you know a community member who may be interested in becoming a donor or a volunteer please make an introduction!
Contact Jason at jason@telluridefoundation.org. With your help, we can make more possible! |
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About
The Telluride Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of our community members by investing in initiatives and supporting nonprofits in the region. telluridefoundation.org |
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