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Wildfire Season Intensifies & Regional Collaboration Strengthens This summer, communities from Aspen to Parachute have experienced an early and active wildfire season. The Coulter Creek Fire near Carbondale, the Cottonwood Flat Fire in Parachute, early-season blazes in Garfield and Moffat counties, and large lightning-driven fires such as Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, and South Rim have served as stark reminders of how quickly conditions can escalate. As the season has intensified, counties across the region have taken steps to reduce risk. Garfield County implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions on July 17, while Pitkin County has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since June [...]

On May 16th, the RFL community came together at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village to celebrate our 2025 Academy and Mastermind graduates. Nearly 80 individuals - alumni, families, partners, and supporters - gathered in support of this year’s theme: Unite. And unite we did. Together, we welcomed 28 new Academy graduates and 9 Mastermind graduates into the RFL alumni community. These 37 individuals represent the future of leadership in our region - courageous, creative, and committed to building better communities. Our keynote speakers, Chris McDowel, 2010 Academy alumnus, and Taylor McBride, 2025 Academy alumnus, reminded us how leadership is [...]

Application deadline: July 15, 2025 Leadership isn’t reserved for those with big titles or corner offices—it belongs to anyone willing to grow, connect, and lead with purpose. That’s the heart of RFL Academy. Each year, Roaring Fork Leadership brings together individuals from across our region who are ready to deepen their self-awareness, strengthen their impact, and become catalysts for positive change in their workplaces and communities. So, what can you expect from the Academy experience? Just ask our most recent graduates. "Learning more about myself helped show me what my leadership style is and why. As well as, how others might [...]

Saturday, July 26 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM | Carbondale We’re thrilled to announce that Roaring Fork Leadership has been selected to staff the Cantina at the 54th Annual Mountain Fair—and we need YOU to join the crew! This is one of Carbondale’s most beloved events, and volunteering at the Cantina is a high-energy, community-filled way to give back and raise funds for RFL’s leadership programs. Plus, we’ll be working alongside our neighbors at Mt. Sopris Montessori for a fun, shared shift! Your Shift: 🕥 Saturday, July 26 from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM📍 Mountain Fair Cantina, Sopris Park, Carbondale🎉 [...]

Friday, October 10, 2025 | Lakota Links, New Castle Roaring Fork Leadership is proud to announce our first-ever golf tournament, and we want you to be part of it!  On Friday, October 10, we’re teeing off at the breathtaking Lakota Links golf course in New Castle, a one-of-a-kind desert-style course with panoramic mountain views, stunning fall colors, and just the right balance of challenge and fun. This tournament is more than a day on the green—it’s a celebration of leadership, community, and the power of paying it forward.  Why We’re Golfing  This event is more than just a great day outdoors. [...]

Highlights from the 2025 Evolving Leaders Whitepaper  Leadership is changing—and fast. In RFL’s 2025 Evolving Leaders Whitepaper, Executive Director Andrea Palm-Porter outlines the ways leadership and workforce skills have transformed over the last decade—and how Roaring Fork Leadership is preparing leaders to thrive in a world shaped by complexity, technology, and deep human connection.  Here’s what you need to know:  Leadership has shifted from top-down authority to values-based collaboration. Today’s leaders must be emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven, and equipped to co-create solutions in diverse, fast-moving environments.  Essential skills for 2025 include adaptive problem-solving, cultural agility, collaborative communication, and tech fluency—developed through continual [...]

For Immediate Release June 16, 2025 Contact Andrea Palm-Porter, Executive Director, Roaring Fork Leadership andrea@rfleadership.org; 970-922-6035 Aspen, Colo. – Roaring Fork Leadership (RFL) proudly announces the graduation of twenty-eight community changemakers from its 2025 Academy program, joining an alumni network of nearly 1,100 individuals. These incredible graduates who are stepping forward as more effective, connected, and courageous leaders. This milestone marks RFL’s 37th year of shaping leadership in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, and with it, the opening of applications for the 2026 Academy cohort. The 10-month RFL Academy is not your average leadership program. It’s a deep dive [...]

We recently sat down with Ashley Mauldin, licensed professional counselor and owner of New Awareness Counseling in New Castle, CO, to learn more about her journey as a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and community leader. From launching her private practice to empowering others through trauma-informed care, Ashley shares how her experience with Roaring Fork Leadership continues to shape her approach to leadership and service. Which RFL program did you participate in and what drew you to RFL? I participated in the 2019/2020 cohort of RFL Academy. I had a desire to be more of a leader in the community and felt [...]

ELEVATE: A Forum for WomenFriday, May 9, 2025 | 1:00–6:00 PM | Glenwood Springs Branch Library Now is the time to invest in yourself, connect with like-minded women, and step confidently into your power. ELEVATE: A Forum for Women is your invitation to learn from powerful speakers, walk away with tools to fuel your leadership, and be part of a supportive community that lifts each other higher. Early bird pricing ends this Friday, April 25! Reserve your ticket now for just $89—prices increase to $109 after the deadline, so don’t wait to secure your spot. Meet the Speakers: Christina King will [...]

At Roaring Fork Leadership, we believe leadership belongs to everyone. It’s not about titles or resumes - it’s about the courage to step up, the heart to serve others, and the drive to make meaningful change. Each year, the RFL Academy and Mastermind programs bring together individuals from every corner of our valley, and your support ensures that these transformational opportunities remain accessible to all. Through our Pay It Forward campaign, we’re growing a robust scholarship and program support fund to remove financial barriers - not just for those facing economic hardship, but for anyone with the passion to lead. This [...]