In the News

Are you a Roaring Fork Leadership alumnus passionate about leadership development? Here’s an exciting opportunity to stay engaged and make a meaningful impact in 2026 by volunteering at our monthly Academy sessions. The Roaring Fork Leadership Academy continues its tradition of meeting on the first Friday of every month, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support these sessions throughout the year. Volunteering is a unique way to: Refresh your leadership skills: Stay sharp by observing and participating in cutting-edge leadership training. Meet the new class: Connect with the emerging leaders in your community and see firsthand the talent and dedication [...]

On Saturday, July 26, during the vibrant Mountain Fair weekend in Carbondale, 22 dedicated volunteers from Roaring Fork Leadership came together to support this beloved community event. From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., our volunteers enthusiastically served beer and mixed drinks, helping create a welcoming space for attendees to relax and enjoy the festivities. We were especially proud to see five participants from our upcoming Academy Class of 2026 join the effort, demonstrating early on their strong commitment to community involvement and leadership. Their participation highlights the spirit of service and connection that defines our next generation of leaders. Thanks to [...]

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 [...]

Building Bridges, Not Walls: Fostering Collaboration, Trust, and Belonging in Our Tri-County Communities   The Aspen-to-Parachute corridor is shown here in a map provided by Aspen Community Foundation. On Friday, June 27, 2025, I had the privilege of presenting at the CIVICO Colorado Governors Fellowship 2025 Regional Gathering in Glenwood Springs, CO. This gathering's core purpose is to equip Coloradans for public service and civic leadership, with key outcomes including understanding our state's challenges, developing competencies, strengthening networks, learning from public officials, and implementing individual development plans. It was an honor to contribute to such a vital initiative. During the gathering, [...]

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 [...]

Navigating the Future of Work and Community – Part 2 Now Available A free resource for leaders ready to thrive through change and build stronger communities At Roaring Fork Leadership, we believe that leadership isn’t just a role—it’s a daily practice, and a community responsibility. That belief has guided us for over 37 years as we’ve worked to grow leaders who can adapt, collaborate, and lead with purpose. In Part 2 of our white paper series, Navigating the Future of Work and Community, we explore how leadership must evolve to meet today’s challenges [...]