Summit County is known for beautiful mountain landscapes surrounded by world-class ski areas. In the summer there are endless activities and trails hidden under the forest canopies. What many people don’t realize about Summit County is the high level of commitment by residents supporting causes related to health, community, environment, and culture.
Buying a home in the mountains is an investment in your future. Whether it’s your first home, retirement retreat, or your vacation home, your investment extends beyond your new home into the surrounding community in which it resides. Becoming involved in different volunteer and community groups can seem daunting initially. The truth is that Summit County has many different ways to become involved with health, youth, outdoor education, environmental, and outdoor preservation programs. And it's a marvelous way to give back, meet your neighbors, and make new friends. The list is really endless as to what you can do to get involved with the community. Summit County is committed to creating a better future, enjoying the present responsibly, as well as protecting the value of real estate in the area.
The Summit Foundation
The Summit Foundation is the soul of the summit, and is the leading organization inspiring individuals and allocating resources to improve the standards and quality of life for everyone in Summit County. The foundation receives funding from area businesses, including major resorts, and provides a means for them to make meaningful contributions to important issues facing the community. Learn more on The Summit Foundation website.
Building an Active Community in Summit County
The Cycle Effect is a nonprofit based in Vail and has expanded to Summit County. Their purpose is to create a safe place for young women to learn about mountain biking, healthy living, and building a brighter future through education. The Cycle Effect provides girls with all of the necessary equipment to safely navigate the world of mountain biking solely through donations. By empowering women through a male-dominated sport, these girls are learning lifelong skills to become strong leaders that continue to build each other up. If mountain biking is your passion, volunteers are greatly appreciated to help enrich the lives of local girls.
Cultural Development
The Town of Breckenridge has increased arts community involvement through exhibits and classes in heritage, culture, arts, and music. Breckenridge Creative Arts or Breck Create for short, is a nonprofit that has been educating the community about the beauty and culture of Breckenridge since 2014. Living in such a vibrant and beautiful community inspires so that the creative arts come alive in the mountains. Breck Create hosts various classes throughout the year to support learning different mediums and community involvement including pottery and jewelry making. For a full list of events and ways to get involved, visit the Breck Create website.
Helping Families Through Difficult Times
Domus Pacis Family Respite is a local organization that provides a restorative getaway for families overwhelmed by medical treatments, largely cancer-related. Donations are needed for single family homes for a week stays to help this organization provide more housing for families coming to Summit County to enjoy a relaxing respite during a very difficult time of life. Many second homeowners donate a week at their home in the mountains to this organization to provide for visiting families. Other ways to support this organization including providing meals, event involvement, fundraising, and even photographing families during end of life trips.
Keeping Kids Outdoors
The Keystone Science School is a well-established local nonprofit providing outdoor education through many opportunities to the local youth. They are very involved with each elementary school providing education on health and physical activity as well as outdoor education and environmental preservation. Keystone Science School also provides classes for schools throughout Colorado by having them visit the mountains to learn about the ecosystem. Their campus can host overnight campers for year-round education. In the summer, Keystone Science School holds week-long camps for kids to learn mountaineering skills, rafting, camping, STEM projects and much more.
Creating a Clean, Sustainable Future
Summit County is full of active organizations promoting outdoor education and environmental conservation. The county has a unique community recycling program that has grown to educate locals on sustainability practices. The Summit Recycling Project was started in 1983 with very little support for recycling efforts. In 2006, the Summit County Government decided to recognize this organization as a department and changed the name to High Country Conservation Center, or HC3 for short. This organization works to educate the community about waste, recycling, renewable energy, water consumption, and sustainable food practices. HC3 has 6 community gardens, 75 agricultural shares, and provides energy audits for Summit County residents.
National Forest Preservation
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District is a nonprofit organization contributing to the upkeep and preservation of our National Forest. Volunteers are organized and sent to each project yearly to improve trails for safety, to protect areas from invasive weeds, and to educate the public about safety and conservation on public lands. Without this group, many of the local hiking trails would be closed and dangerous to use. Friends of the Dillon Ranger District is always looking for volunteers for trail maintenance projects throughout the county, as well as as volunteer forest rangers and for local events.
Protecting the Watershed
The Blue River Watershed Group was formed in 2004 by locals who were concerned about water safety throughout Summit County. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to protect and preserve the local watershed as well as educate the public about safe water quality. Summit County’s watershed is extremely important as it feeds rivers that provide water to millions of people in the Western United States. This group actively protects the water through clean up and conservation efforts. They work with several environmental agencies, like Trout Unlimited, to ensure the safety of the water and the impact on the ecosystem.
Trout Unlimited has chapters dedicated to protecting fish and their habitats nationwide. Many rivers and streams have been polluted by historic mining sites that leak dangerous chemicals and metals. As fish cannot survive in this environment, Trout Unlimited works to protect the safety of water for the ecosystem by organizing clean-up projects, building new habitats, and re-stocking fish.
If you are looking for a community that is involved and active, look no further than Summit County. The community is actively working together to build a better and brighter future with sustainable efforts, and raising awareness about the conservation of our ecosystem.
Contact us today to find your perfect home in Summit County - and to become a resident in this sustainable and caring community.
By Coldwell Banker
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed & subject to change without notice.