WCC Annual Meeting: Sept. 21-22 on Grand Mesa

On Sept. 21-22, join us for a weekend of celebration, inspiration and fun at rustic Camp Kiwanis (aka Camp Hope) on Grand Mesa near Powderhorn Ski Resort.  Bring a friend to enjoy the fall colors and Western Colorado Congress’ 33rd Annual Meeting!

Click here to register now!

The theme of this year’s annual meeting, Color Us Colorado, speaks to how much we identify ourselves with this place we call home.  All the efforts of WCC members and staff reflect our respect for these mountains and the canyons, for our neighborhoods and communities.

In this age of climate change, our local actions feed into the global solutions in which everyone can play a part.  This weekend’s schedule reflects WCC’s continuing involvement in issues of sustainable energy, local foods & agriculture, and our treasured public lands.

Saturday, September 21

Note: During each program time slot (those in bold),
we will also offer guided hiking and supervised kids’ activities.

10:00am Registration and Silent Auction open. Settling in and optional exploration hike.
12:00pm Lunch. Welcome and introductions.
1:30pm Fighting for Healthy Communities: Learn about ongoing cases of contamination from oil & gas drilling, local proposals to drill near water supplies, and how you can make a difference.
2:45pm Cultivating Prosperity: Growing a Sustainable Food & Farming Future: Kris Holstrom from Eco-Action Partners and Tomten Farm in conversation about our regional food and farming systems. Learn how you can participate!
4:00pm Celebrating Our Public Lands: US Forest Service and BLM officials discuss changing conditions on the Western Slope, and how we can play an active role in conserving and protecting these special places!
5:00pm Happy Hour (beer & wine provided)
6:00pm Dinner. Silent Auction closes. Worley Award for Outstanding WCC Volunteer
7:00pm Campfire, ghost stories and songs.
7:30pm Community Dance with live music and caller.

Sunday, September 22

7:00am Guided power hike, yoga & t’ai chi.  Coffee & conversation.
8:00am Breakfast & announcements.
9:00am Membership Building Workshop: The Heart of WCC
10:30am WCC Annual Business Meeting: Elections, proposed Bylaw change and reports
12:30pm Lunch, clean-up and farewell!

REGISTER NOW

You can download registration materials to mail in, or click here to register now.  Attend the entire weekend for only $50 per person, or just Saturday ($30) or Sunday ($20) — and kids are free!  If you register online and plan on attending both days, we will contact you about your lodging options.  (see below)

Camp Kiwanis

Camp Kiwanis (aka Camp Hope) is on the northern slopes of the Grand Mesa, just a five-minute drive from the turnoff to Powderhorn Ski Resort.  Hiking opportunities abound, including an easy walk to Mesa Creek, just minutes from the lodge.

Parking is limited at the lodge so please consider carpooling to the event.

If you’re planning to spend the night and register online, we’ll be contacting you regarding your lodging plans.  If you use the mail-in form, please fill out the questionnaire.  Options include:

  • The camp’s same-gender dorms
  • Tent camping
  • RV/camper space (limited)

Or you can make your own reservation at one of the following:

  • Goldenwoods Condominiums at Powderhorn Ski Resort, a 5 minute drive from Camp.  A one-bedroom unit with fold-out couch (sleeps 4) goes for $139/night
  • Wagon Wheel Motel in Mesa, a 10 minute drive from Camp.  Rooms for $80/night.

Silent Auction

Another highlight of the day is WCC’s exceptional Silent Auction.  If you have an item to donate, please mail in the donation form or contact the WCC office at (970) 256-7650.

We’ll continue to update this list of auction items as the event draws near.  Thank you to all of our generous donors!

Some Time Away

  • A week’s lodging at Seadancer Villas off the coast of Honduras from Rein & Jan van West of Ridgway
  • An overnight canoe trip on the lower Gunnison River with Al Lowande & Roze Evans of Ridgway
  • Three days in Utah’s Butler Wash with Rein & Jan van West of Ridgway
  • Two nights in a Telluride condo from Ed Sands of Rifle
  • Two nights in a two-bedroom rental cottage in Glenwood Springs from Cheri Brandon and Dean Moffatt
  • Two nights at Paonia Guest House from Jane McGarry & Chuck Behrensmeyer
  • One night in a king bed studio apartment at Rocky Mountain Inn in Paonia.
  • One night in a classic Victorian room at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs

Always in Motion

  • Two roundtrip tickets on Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
  • A guided mushroom trip in August or September 2014 for up to 4 people, including gourmet picnic lunch with wine or beer, and a copy of “Amy’s Guide to Mushrooms” from Amy McBride of Montrose.
  • A one-day hiking tour for up to 8 people in Canyon of the Ancients National Monument in Spring 2014 from Fort Lewis College Professor Andrew Gulliford
  • A tour for up to 12 people of the Shavano Valley rock art near Montrose with anthropologist Carol Patterson
  • A Black Diamond backcountry ski pack with Avalung from Rein & Jan van West
  • Cranial sacral balance/reiki sessions from Virginia Kile in Montrose
  • A private Pilates lesson with Pamela Benson at Center of Balance in Montrose

Works of Art

  • Matted and framed pastel “Fall in the Monument” and framed oil painting “Good Morning” from Maggie & David Cook of Grand Junction
  • Framed/matted Grant Collier photograph (24″ x 32″ framed), “Cimarron Mountains (Owl Creek Pass)” from David & Nancy Cale
  • A Terry Shepherd pottery vase from David & Nancy Cale in Grand Junction
  • Framed pastels, “July” and “River III”, and woven bracelets from Teri Ann Shecter of Grand Junction
  • A framed original watercolor from Cheri Isgreen of Montrose
  • Framed silk-screened kachina prints from Haggle of Vendors in Grand Junction
  • Pottery from Joan Woodward of Grand Junction

Other Treasures

  • Two down sweaters (one men’s AND one women’s) from Patagonia in Denver
  • An Amish-style, solid oak rocking chair from Roze Evans and Al Lowande of Ridgway
  • An assortment of LifeAdvantage supplements (Protandim, TrueScience Skincare and Canine Health) from Darrell Weingard in Montrose
  • Vintage Flexible Flyer “Airline Junior” sled from David & Nancy Cale in Grand Junction
  • $100 gift certificate from CRYSTAL Books & Gifts in Grand Junction
  • $100 gift certificate from Chelsea Nursery in Clifton
  • Eagle Creek “Pack-It” system from Summit Canyon Mountaineering in Grand Junction
  • $50 gift certificate from Unique Expressions of Grand Junction
  • $50 gift certificate from Benge’s Shoes in Grand Junction
  • Lined fabric totebags from Diana Acker of Grand Junction
  • Five $10 gift certificates from Toys for the Fun of It in Grand Junction
  • Books, a suitcase and calendars from Peggy Rawlins of Grand Junction
  • Subscriptions to High Country News
  • Tickets to Second Sunday Cinema in Montrose

 Food