United in Support Through The Good Neighbor Fund

With the new year off to a rocky start due to the resort closure, the Telluride Foundation responded quickly by raising funds for the Good Neighbor Fund (GNF), our 20-plus-year-old initiative that provides emergency support to community members facing financial crisis. As layoffs, reduced work hours, rising healthcare costs, inflation, and changes to public benefits took hold, it became clear that many in the workforce would need assistance with paying rent or buying food this winter.

Barret, PJ, and Chris, pictured above, all work at Brown Dog Pizza, which experienced a noticeable drop in business as tourists cancelled trips. Chris explained, "The restaurant had to significantly cut staff hours and has not yet returned to full capacity. Tips are down with fewer people dining out." All three applied to the Good Neighbor Fund to help cover expenses after reduced wages in December and January.

By mid-January, the Foundation had raised over $750,000 for the GNF, thanks to the generosity of individual donors, local governments that provided both cash donations and rent relief for town-owned properties, and the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol, which donated a portion of its GoFundMe proceeds.

Administered by Tri-County Health Network (TCHN), the GNF serves individuals who live or work in San Miguel, Ouray, and western Montrose counties, as well as Rico. During the first two weeks of January, TCHN re-allocated staff, assigning seven people to GNF navigation. From January 3rd to the 17th, TCHN Navigators processed 168 GNF applications seeking $337,741 in support. For comparison, TCHN processed 85 applications in all of 2025 and deployed $52,000.

Also, we'd like to give a heartfelt shoutout to KOTO, which hosted a telethon to raise funds for Unidos (a companion fund to the GNF, specifically serving our immigrant population), and to Telluride Theater for planning a community event and fundraiser for the GNF on February 21st. Moments like these reflect the strength of our community, which is showing up for its neighbors during challenging times!

Initiatives Update

A Telluride Venture Network Success Story:

The Dyrt Reaches $10M in Annual Revenue

Founded in 2013, the Telluride Venture Network (TVN) was created to strengthen and diversify the regional economy by supporting entrepreneurs building scalable businesses outside of tourism. Through accelerator programs, mentorship, partnerships, and early-stage investment, TVN has helped founders turn innovative ideas into long-lasting companies.

One of those success stories is The Dyrt, a camping app that began its journey in the 2015 Telluride Venture Accelerator.

The idea for The Dyrt came from co-founder Sarah Smith, who noticed a major gap in the outdoor recreation space. There was no single place to find information on all types of camping—public campgrounds, private land, RV parks, and free dispersed sites. Even when campgrounds were listed online, there were few photos and reviews to help campers know what to expect.

The Dyrt set out to solve that problem. Today, it offers the most comprehensive set of camping locations in the United States, supported by millions of user-submitted reviews and photos. Its original mission—campers helping campers—still drives the platform. Just as travelers rely on reviews before booking an Airbnb, campers deserve reliable insights before choosing where to stay.

Co-founder and CEO Kevin Long notes that scaling the business meant addressing the needs of a highly diverse audience. “Camping isn’t a single uniform market like hotels,” he said. “There are many types of campers, each with different expectations.”

That focus has paid off. A new camper visits The Dyrt every four seconds. The company now leads the market in camping locations and campground reviews, is profitable, and is on track to surpass $10 million in annual revenue.

Long reflected, “We wouldn’t be here without TVN. The Telluride Venture Fund was our first capital and our launchpad to critical connections that helped us survive the early years. I truly wouldn’t be here talking to you if TVN hadn’t taken a chance on us a decade ago.

From Scholar to Starbucks Senior Financial Analyst

Founded in 2018, the Chang Chavkin Scholars Program supports high-achieving, first-generation rural students through intensive college admissions counseling, a four-year scholarship, and personalized guidance to help them graduate from four-year colleges aligned with their potential.

Macy Desmarais was selected as a member of the program’s inaugural scholar cohort. Growing up in Telluride, Macy had strong academic ambition but limited exposure to colleges that matched her drive. With guidance from Program Director Valene Baskfeld, she gained the confidence to apply to top-tier institutions she may not have otherwise considered. The program also facilitated connections with universities through informational interviews and coffee chats, helping her make an informed, confident college choice.

Once at the University of Washington, the scholarship provided Macy with financial security, allowing her to fully engage in college life and take meaningful risks. She pursued leadership roles across campus, serving as Director of Community Service for her sorority, Portfolio Manager for the Undergraduate Investment Club, and a grader for multiple business school courses. Just as importantly, the scholarship enabled her to be intentional about her career path, prioritizing internships aligned with her long-term goals rather than immediate financial necessity.

Today, Macy sees a direct link between the Chang Chavkin Scholars Program and her professional success. The program instilled the mindset to “aim high,” which led her from a small town to a role at one of the world’s most recognizable global brands. More than financial support, the scholarship reshaped her trajectory by reinforcing that her background was a foundation for growth—not a limitation. She explains, "The program strengthened my belief that it isn’t about where you start, but how you show up. My career progress has been driven by the quality of my work and how I engage in every conversation and classroom. I’ve learned that professionalism and merit resonate far more than socioeconomic background."

That lesson continues to guide her leadership and commitment to mentorship. A firm believer in paying it forward, Macy recognizes that she is where she is today because of key mentors and programs like Chang Chavkin. As she shares, “When I am mentoring, I look for drive and character, and I am committed to opening doors for those who, like me, just need a platform to prove what they can achieve. You never know where one random LinkedIn message or cold email might lead—so shoot your shot!”

Community Grants

$1.2M Awarded to 81 Regional Organizations

When the Foundation launched its Community Grants program in 2001, we distributed over $250,000 to 26 local organizations. This year, 25 years later, thanks to donors who recognize the vital role nonprofits play in our region, we are awarding over $1.2 million to 81 organizations.

This year, the Grants Committee prioritized organizations experiencing significant federal and state funding cuts. Health and human service organizations, including those addressing food security, received 33% of funding, while education and early childhood programs received 30%. The remaining support was distributed among arts and culture, athletics, and climate and environment programs.

This year’s capital funding included two grants supporting major infrastructure and land protection projects: Trust for Land Restoration's purchase of private mining claims on Red Mountain Pass to protect for public use and Rico Trails Alliance's construction of a pedestrian bridge across the Dolores River for the new Rio Grande Southern River Trail.

We're especially proud to support 13 first-time grantees, including two organizations serving our Ute Mountain Ute neighbors. Friends of High Camp received funding for a Ute Mountain Ute youth retreat, while the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe secured support to lease a van, improving tribal youth and members' access to their ancestral lands.

While Community Grants address immediate nonprofit needs, they represent just one dimension of the Foundation's work. This year, through donor-advised gifts and strategic initiatives — including housing down payment assistance, the Telluride Venture Accelerator, food security programming, and Good Neighbor Fund support—we deployed an additional $9 million in community resources. That’s an overall impact of $10.2M in 2025 thanks to our generous donors who invest in our region's future.

Nonprofit Spotlight 

Bright Futures Strong Start 

Bright Futures began under the Telluride Foundation more than 20 years ago to respond to early childhood needs in the region. As early childhood needs grew, Bright Futures became an independent 501(c)(3) in 2004. Today, Bright Futures serves as the Early Childhood Council for San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Delta, and San Juan counties and supports 57 early learning programs. In this role, Bright Futures works with communities to increase the access, availability, and affordability of high-quality childcare. Bright Futures also serves as a Family Resource Center for San Miguel and Ouray Counties, providing comprehensive family supports that strengthen families and promote healthy child development.

Over the past three years, the Telluride Foundation has partnered closely with Bright Futures to respond to regional early childhood needs. Through this partnership, the Foundation provides a grant equal to 15% of Bright Futures’ Strong Start program budget to strengthen child care and preschool programs, address their needs, and make care more affordable for working families.

Amid rising costs and ongoing uncertainty about public funding, Bright Futures’ role has never been more important. By supporting families directly and strengthening the early childhood system, Bright Futures is helping build a healthier and more stable future for the region’s children and families.

The Trust for Land Restoration

The Telluride Foundation recently awarded Ridgway-based Trust for Land Restoration $30K toward the purchase of the Silver Mountain Mine, a block of fourteen mining claims totaling 104-acres in the Red Mountain Mining District of Ouray County. The Foundation’s grant brings TLR closer to its $560,000 goal to purchase the property, place a conservation easement on it, and then donate it to the County of Ouray as a high-country open-space park.

In describing the property's importance, Patrick Willits of TLF explained that jeepers, hikers, and backcountry skiers love this part of Ouray County. The property is on Brown Mountain, east of the Ironton Park cross-country ski trails. It includes high-elevation mixed-conifer/aspen forest, sloping meadows, freshwater springs, big views, and several historic mining features. County Road 20 and access to Brown Mountain and Mount Abrams trailheads run through it. It’s deemed critical habitat for bear, elk, and lynx. Cabins, houses, and lodges, as well as the resulting light pollution, would greatly impact these values. “We are grateful the Telluride Foundation recognizes the critical importance and the unique challenges of mining claim protection in the San Juans,” said Willits.

TLR is the only land trust in Colorado that helps communities, local governments, and citizen groups address environmental liability issues to acquire, clean up, and preserve land impacted by past mining. In addition to the Telluride Foundation grant, the State of Colorado’s Idarado Natural Resource Damage Fund and dozens of private individuals have committed funds to the project. A GOCO grant has also been applied for, which will hopefully bring TLR within $20k of its goal. 

Event Recap

A Chock-full January

January was a busy month at the Telluride Foundation with a variety of events that brought people together around ideas and topics that matter. Spanning science, leadership, technology, and the arts, these events underscored the Foundation’s commitment to convening, bringing new and diverse perspectives to the community, and creating space for learning and dialogue.

We kicked things off with the Science of Peak Performance in partnership with Telluride Science, where Dr. Haley Perlus explored how sport-science habits used by elite athletes can elevate leadership resilience, and performance in business, science & everyday life. The conversation challenged attendees to reshape their mindset to perform at the highest level.

Next, we gathered at our annual Volunteer of the Year event honoring Barbara Hinterkopf. Barbara’s lifelong dedication to education, equity, and the empowerment of Latina women through SPARKy has left an enduring impact on the Telluride community and beyond. 

Our focus then turned to the rapidly evolving subject of artificial intelligence. Tom Miaskiewicz, Director of the AI Institute at Fort Lewis College, led a 2-day AI Summit that examined big-picture trends, introduced powerful tools, and provided practical applications. Participants walked away with new insights into how AI can augment marketing content, facilitate workflows, inform business decisions, generate ideas, and expand capacity.

The month wrapped with Creative Exchange: An Evening with Yury Urnov. Through video clips, Yuri showed how avant-garde theater continues to permeate throughout Eastern Europe. He also noted that a lack of funding challenges both the artist and the art form.

Join Us!

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If you know a community member who may be interested in

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Contact Jason at jason@telluridefoundation.org.

With your help, we can make more possible!

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

Contact

Telluride Foundation

PO Box 4222

220 E Colorado Ave #106

Telluride, CO 81435

info@telluridefoundation.org

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