Highwater Farm provides paid positions for young people interested in working on the farm in the fall and summer. Youth crew workers participate in the farming operation while learning valuable career and life skills.
“Food is a common denominator,” said Sara Tymczyszyn, executive director of Highwater Farm. “As a farm that directly serves our rural towns, we see people from different backgrounds and beliefs come together, discover shared values, and leave as new and sometimes unlikely friends.”
Highwater Farm has seen much success in its mission to use sustainable agriculture to transform the lives of young people and increase access to healthy food in Garfield County.
Since breaking ground in 2020, staff and volunteers at the farm have grown 108,000 pounds of food, which has served more than 220 households. In addition, 18% of the fresh produce is routed to local food pantries. The organization has also paid out over $77,000 in stipends to local youth.
Alpine Bank has been a proud supporter of Highwater’s youth program since it began in 2021.
“The bank’s contributions have deepened our impact and ability to provide job-training programs for teens,” noted Tymczyszyn. “We started with just six youth crew workers and now have 20 young people ages 14 to 17 participating in our summer program.”
Youth crew workers can earn up to $3,000 for their full participation. They learn how to grow, maintain and harvest over 40 different crops; they also participate in cooking classes and a variety of workshops to encourage professional development and practice healthy communication.
“Highwater Farm does an amazing job of connecting with the community, which directly aligns with our values as a bank,” said John Stelzriede, market president for Alpine Bank’s Colorado River Region. “They not only serve our youth, but the farm itself is such a valuable resource in providing fresh produce to local families.”
While the team at Highwater Farm works hard, they also have a lot of fun in the fields. Tymczyszyn added at the end of the day they are all farmers.
“When the summer youth program is running, our staff shifts their energy toward people management,” she said. “But outside of that eight-week period, we’re all farming together, five days a week.”
“Our superpower as an organization is bringing folks together through the experience of music, making everyone feel welcomed and inspired,” explained Katie Carroll, director of programs at Strings Music Festival.
Though it began in 1988 as a classical music festival, Strings Music Festival has grown into a diverse musical hub, hosting both classical and contemporary artists for audiences of all ages.
The organization’s mission is to create community through music, enhancing the cultural, educational, and entertainment experiences of Northwest Colorado and its visitors.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing the pure joy on a child’s face when they play their first note, a spark of discovery lighting up their eyes,” said Carroll. “What gets me out of bed are the familiar faces returning, the new ones joining in, and the stories shared about how music has touched their lives.”
“There is magic in these small moments,” added Carroll. “Knowing we get to create these experiences for our community, moments that are as unique as they are unforgettable, is so special.”
The award-winning Strings Pavilion seats 569 people and showcases more than 60 performances during the summer months as well as a fall/winter series and year-round education programs.
This includes the Strings School Days program, which provides free music and arts education to over 3,000 students annually.
“We also support young musicians through our young artists in residency program and bring live performances to unique spaces throughout Routt County,” said Carroll. “With the help of our community, we offer over 60% of our programming free to the Yampa Valley.”
Alpine Bank is a longtime advocate of the arts and community outreach programs like the ones offered at Strings Music Festival. Providing an outlet for creativity has real impact in our mountain towns.
“Strings is more than just a music venue—it’s a community gathering place at heart,” said Alpine Bank Market President Adonna Allen. “We are so grateful there is a place in the Yampa Valley where we can share our passion for musicianship together.”
Perhaps that connection is in the peaks and valleys, which mirror the highs and lows of our own lives, or maybe the pure mountain majesty helps create space in our hearts and minds for rest, relaxation and peace.
Whatever it is, Domus Pacis Family Respite has found a way for individuals and families who are on a challenging medical journey to tap into the peaceful surroundings of Summit County and be energized to endure battles, celebrate victories, and find peace with loss.
“Cancer is a disease that shatters normalcy—in your thoughts, conversations, interactions and expectations,” said Ken Maldonado, executive director of Domus Pacis. “It is our belief that by providing a carefree family respite, a much-needed harmony begins to flourish.”
Since 2008, Domus Pacis, which is Latin for House of Peace, has served more than 1,900 families, providing thousands with the opportunity to have their own healing week in the mountains.
“Our mountain respites for families dealing with cancer are completely made possible through the generous donations of homeowners,” explained Maldonado. “Last year we provided 160 families with a cancer respite.”
Most respites last for five to seven days and are donated by families with second homes in Summit County. These gifts remove the financial stress associated with traveling, which can often be a barrier for families.
As a grass roots organization, Domus Pacis relies heavily on the support of in-kind donations. And given this generosity, the nonprofit keeps its operations efficient.
“We take stewardship very seriously, so we work to make sure every dollar donated to the organization goes toward supporting the cancer families we serve,” said Maldonado.
Alpine Bank is a proud supporter of Domus Pacis and was active in the organization’s concert fundraiser, The Long Run at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge.
“You cannot understate the joy and rest Domus Pacis is able to provide families affected by cancer,” said Alpine Bank Head of Community Outreach Jamie Dicks, who also serves on the board of Domus Pacis.
“We are excited about the possibilities of our partnership and the positive impact this organization will provide for many more years to come.”
For more than 35 years, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film has elevated the stories of women and those often unheard or unseen.
Through its annual film festival, the organization strives to compel, entertain, touch, inspire, and provoke us to become a more empathetic and connected community.
“Our curated festival features films exclusively written, directed, and/or edited by women,” said Nicole Nicoletta, executive director of Rocky Mountain Women’s Film. “We believe in the unique power, connection, and strength in women-led community.”
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film was founded in 1987 and remains the longest running women’s film festival in North America. But it all started with two women, Donna Guthrie & Jere Martin, and one great idea on the road back from the Telluride Film Festival.
“It’s our mission to amplify and elevate a wider range of voices through film,” said Nicoletta. “Because films can change our mood — make us laugh, cry, gasp, swoon; they can change our mind — bring up questions, show us a different angle, and provoke a conversation.”
While the film festival is the organization’s main event, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film held 20-plus events throughout the year including pop-up and drive-in movies as well as filmmaker retreats.
“As a film organization, we want to cultivate the joy of experiencing film,” added Nicoletta. “We want to help people communicate and connect with each other around that shared experience.”
Alpine Bank has been a cheerleader for the film festival and a true partner in raising awareness about the organization.
“As a bank we value the connection Rocky Mountain Women’s Film creates in our communities,” said Laura Lyman, vice president of Alpine Bank Colorado Springs.
“Every year we look forward to the showcase of films that are thought-provoking and enriching, and that encourage global awareness and personal growth.”
Join us!
The 37th annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival will take place Oct. 18-20 at Colorado College. Please come out and find connection through local stories, unknown stories, stories that can bridge the past, present, and future. Stories told through—the female lens.
Give the gift of independence
“Regardless of age, health, disability, income, or ethnicity, everybody has a contribution to make to the community in which they live,” said Via Chief Executive Officer Frank Bruno.
Via Mobility Services is a nonprofit public transit provider, serving eight counties in the Denver-Boulder-Longmont area, as well as Larimer and Weld counties.
The organization offers a broad array of services for older adults and people with disabilities. Its paratransit (accessible transportation) program provides on-demand, door-through-door service with wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
“Via’s strength lies in collaborating and swiftly delivering innovative solutions to mobility challenges,” added Bruno. “We are wholly committed to providing the best transit alternatives that serve our communities unique needs.”
Being future-forward, Via is also invested in reducing the carbon footprint of transportation in Colorado. The organization is a pioneer in using zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles and renewable energy sources, offering smart and efficient transportation alternatives.
Bruno noted Via is a private, nonprofit organization that is not a part of local government or the Regional Transportation District (RTD). This gives the organization, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary, the independence it needs to serve people with limited mobility.
“Via Mobility Services is nimble and able to quickly adjust to the needs of the customers we serve,” explained Bruno. “We are also a committed second responder in times of crisis—it is what we do.”
Though it can be increasingly difficult to compete strictly on cost with other global and national transportation businesses, Via Mobility Services stands out by caring for its communities.
In total, Via assisted over 3,440 local riders in 2023. All gifts and donations to the nonprofit are reinvested in needed local services.
“Your help is crucial for Via to continue giving riders access to our vital transportation services,” said Bruno. “Your gift gives them independence.”
Alpine Bank is honored to support Via Mobility Services in its mission to promote independence and self-sufficiency for people with limited mobility.
“We want to thank Via Mobility Services for being a caring partner in our community,” said Alpine Bank Market President Chris Maughan, who also serves on the Via Board of Directors. “Their commitment to empowering people with limited mobility is inspiring.”
It can take them to distant lands of unlimited imagination or the deep unknowns of the ocean. It can teach them about animals, numbers, shapes, sounds and colors.
But books also give children the confidence to dream. A book helps them understand what it means to be brave or to have feelings of anger and even how to experience loss.
“We dream of a Colorado where every single child will be read aloud to every day,” said Katie Malone, marketing & communications director for Reach Out and Read Colorado.
“Not only does reading improve brain development and early literacy and language skills, but families that spend time reading aloud together build strong emotional bonds.”
Reach Out and Read Colorado currently provides early literacy guidance and free books to children and caregivers from all 64 Colorado counties at nearly 330,000 wellness visits each year.
The nonprofit also empowers healthcare providers to talk with parents of young children about the importance of reading aloud.
According to Malone, 80% of a child’s brain is developed by age three and that number grows to 90% by age five. By simply giving a child a book it can create more opportunities and better lifelong outcomes.
“Over half of Colorado’s children arrive on their first day of kindergarten lacking the basic developmental skills to succeed in school,” added Malone. “Reading together with your child is a simple, powerful, and effective way to change this.”
And it’s why Reach Out and Read Colorado is happy to “prescribe” bilingual books to children from birth to age five in a family’s native language. Whether the book is in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Somali, or one of the state’s other 30-plus languages.
Alpine Bank is proud to partner with Reach Out and Read Colorado. We encourage all families to read aloud together to help promote early literacy skills and build healthy family relationships.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists, public servants, entrepreneurs, parents, healers, inventors, teachers, and more,” said Alpine Bank Regional President Matt Teeters.
“By investing in early literacy in our communities, Reach Out and Read Colorado is providing families with the tools they need to prepare young children for a lifetime of success.”
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