Christina Kraft and Colleen DePasquale Discuss the Economic Development & Workforce Council
Christina Kraft Colleen DePasquale
What makes our community thrive?
The Economic Development & Workforce Council (EDWC), of the Estes Chamber of Commerce, plans for and promotes the economic development of the Estes Valley in ways that are compatible with qualities that make Estes Park a unique mountain community, while building a stronger and more broadly-based economy and tax base; advise and assist existing local businesses to reach their full potential; and attract new businesses that create primary jobs and new employment opportunities.
The EDWC plays a vital role in sustaining economic health in the Estes Valley by supporting our businesses and workforce through both opportunities and challenges. The EDWC helps ensure a resilient local economy and high quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Christina is a born and raised Colorado native. She graduated from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in Finance. Her banking career began in 2004 at First National Bank - Alaska, where she served as a Loan Officer in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2013, she returned to Colorado and joined the Bank of Colorado team in Estes Park. Within a year she was promoted to Market President and has remained there ever since.
Today, Christina is still a resident of Estes Park and enjoys being an active member of the community. Her involvement includes United Way, Junior Achievement, Small Business Development Center, and the Chamber of Commerce. Currently, she serves as the Chair of Estes Park Economic Development Corporation and board member since 2015, Treasurer of Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success and board member since 2015, and Treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and board member since 2019.
Colleen DePasquale has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working with Marriott and Interstate hotels from Manhattan to Denver, as well as 2 years in Moscow, Russia opening Marriott brand hotels. She spent the past decade as the President and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation. The Chamber’s focus on connecting, empowering and unifying the community provided opportunities for members to grow their businesses and advance their careers through educational and event programming. Colleen holds the values of collaboration and advocacy as core to a Chamber’s success.
During her time in Southwest Florida, Colleen was also involved with several boards that enhanced her ability to connect people in the community. She has earned her I.O.M. designation as a graduate of the U. S. Chamber’s Institute of Organizational Management and also graduated from the U.S. Chamber Foundation Business Leads Fellowship Program. The national fellowship program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.
When she’s not working hard to build the Chamber and Foundation, you’ll find Colleen spending time with her daughter, enjoying craft beer, and strolling through the beautiful natural landscape of Estes and the national park.
Our program on January 15th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
Come Join the Duck Race Discussion Foundation Board meeting today New Member Application President’s Night Innovation Summit BECOME OUR ROTARY’S HISTORIAN John Denver Tribute Concer Duck Race Video and Pictures Meeting Notes Meeting Recording
Rotary Club of Estes Park 100 years old in April of 2026
Would you like to be part of bringing our history to life and celebrating 100 years of the Rotary Club of Estes Park?
You are invited to bring this history to life through the year. Elements of research are in place already starting with our charter members, their lives as chronicled in "America's Switzerland" by Jim Pickering, research completed by our library, information from Rotary International, and more.
It just needs your help to bring it to life at our club meetings, the Spoke and the media.
Annie Slack, Dale and Chuck and Scott Robbins have begun this effort but perhaps you are interested in taking up pieces of these thoughts to help us.
There are our charter members with interesting histories. Members past and present who demonstrated "Service Above Self."
The idea is to have fun and realize not only our heritage but our accomplishments and contribution to our community and the world at large.
Let me know if we can divide up this idea into activities that turn into action.
Chuck Bonza
Membership Minute
Hello, all. It has been a couple of months since our Membership Committee met. Now that the new year is here, I think it's time to address some aspects of membership that have not gotten a lot of attention recently. Specifically, social activities, member support, and attracting folks still in the workforce to our club.
We have a good number of folks who have expressed interest in serving on the Membership Committee, but we can always use more folks committed to making our club the best it can be!
See you Thursday after our regular meeting.
--Scott Robbins Membership Director
New Member: Woo-Hoo!
Gary Fanucci was inducted as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Gary grew up in Bakersfield, California, where weekends were spent exploring the mountains with his dad. This sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors. that led Gary to UC Davis where he graduated with a BS in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Toxicology.
While attending UC Davis, Gary met and married his wife, Michelle. Gary and Michelle have been together nearly 30 years and have two children: Alessandro (24) and Isabella (22). Isabella is a recipient of a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Estes Park. Michelle is employed as a program manager at Estes Valley Crisis Advocates.
Gary’s work has taken him across the United States including to the University of Alabama, Birminghm where he obtained a Master of Public Health degree in Occupational Safety and Industrial Hygiene. His career in this field eventually brought the family to Estes Park, Colorado in 2019. He now works for Agilent Technologies as a Health and Safety Manager.
Gary has been an active volunteer in the duck race and is looking forward to wrangling ducks in the river for the 2026 Great Estes Park Rotary Duck Race. Other volunteer activities include: participationn in a cancer research fundraiser and volunteering with Agilent employee health and fitness programs. Gary is also an active member of the Estes Park Gun and Archery Club.
Gary is being sponsored by Scott Robbins. Give Gary a hearty welcome the next time you see him!
The 2026 Friendship Card
The 2026 Friendship Card is selling well. Just in December it brought in $2760. Have you bought yours yet?
For only $10 you get some discount at 71 stores around town. Ask Bill Smith, JoAnn Batey or Paula Edwards for a card while you attend a Rotary meeting. Those three members are our Friendship Card Ambassadors. They make sure the stores that have the cards available for sale are fully stocked. Those businesses are Cabintique, Country Market, The Visitor Center, Macdonald Book Shop, Mad Moose, the Quality Inn, Safeway Guest Services, and Wynbrier Home & Wynbrier Ltd. Pick up the brochure for a listing of participating merchants there or look online at https://www.facebook.com/EPFriendshipCard.
The picture on the card this year was taken by Marsha Hobert. The funds raised by the card go to Rotary’s Project Funds to support local, international and youth projects. Purchasing one of these cards helps needy people all over the world.
Meeting Notes for January 8, 2026
President Jack Ford rang the bell at 12:00. Jim Jonell gave the Invocation. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance. We sang “Auld Lang Syne,” accompanied by Madison Casey.
Lawrence Trifiletti introduced our visitor, Gary Fanucchi. Afterwards, Scott Robins inducted Gary into the club. Gary received his entry package and his red ribbon to a warm welcome.
President Jack welcomed new member Gary Fanucchi
Announcements:
Bill Smith is celebrating 39 years as a Rotarian.
The Foundation Board will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the Quality Inn.
Scott Robbins announced that the Membership Committee will be meeting on the first Thursday of each month.
Program
Guy van der Werf introduced Cole Evanek, who grew up in Estes Park but has spent a significant amount of time in China. Cole discussed his work and daily life there, how ordinary Chinese perceive America, and the changed political landscape of the country.
Cole Evanek discussed Jack gave Cole a Piece of the Rock
Living in China
Adjournment
President Ford led the pledge and rang the bell at 12:50.
Barry Hannigan
Meeting Recording January 8, 2026
Cole Evanek discussed daily life in China, how ordinary Chinese perceive America, and the changed political landscape of the country following the COVID-19 pandemic.
From The Chaplain
Do you know a Club Member who needs assistance? Maybe a ride to meetings, or just a phone call to keep in touch? Please contact Bill Smith 970-420-1033 or billsmithbronx1956@gmail.com.
