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Our
Mission

To promote and support the development of a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive outdoor recreation industry, contributing to the Grand Valley's identity as a world-class place to live, work and play.

Structurally, the ORC is a council of passionate and professional individuals. Functionally, this organization convenes monthly to share information and collaborate on matters facing outdoor recreation, conservation, and sustainable growth in Western Colorado’s Grand Valley.
We champion an intentional future for the Grand Valley’s outdoor industry, contributing to a thriving local economy and creating community connectedness and well-being for all.
OUR PURPOSE
The ORC was born when a group of industry professionals recognized the need to change the narrative of the outdoor recreation industry and economy in Mesa County.

Guiding Pillars

Our three Guiding Pillars give focus to our overall strategy and approach when addressing challenges and ensuing opportunities within the outdoor recreation industry. These pillars direct and constrain actions the organization will take.

Community Connection

Convening organizations and facilitating partnerships across
the Grand Valley that lead to
innovative solutions and
deliberate growth.

Education & Awareness

Informing the community and providing resources that enable all people to access and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

Industry Advancement

Representing and advocating for a community-wide understanding of the outdoor industry and its impacts, contributing to a diverse economy and resilient workforce.

Core Values

Our core values are a set of principles that embody the philosophy that the organization follows. Our purpose is the fundamental reason that we exist, which will guide our efforts for years to come. Our mission is a bold and compelling goal for how the organization will focus on working towards its purpose in the near-term.

Community

Inclusivity

Leadership

Meaningful Work

Collaboration

Ways To Get
Involved

There are many ways for you to get involved with our outdoor recreation community. You can volunteer for a number of stewardship projects, join a campfire session, sit on a steering committee, or simply be an informed citizen and recreate responsibly.

VOLUNTEER

Sign Up to Take Part in Our Mission and Goals

GVORC Board

Sarah Shrader
President / Chair

Ryan Robinson
Vice Chair

Jody Corey
Treasurer

Randy Miller
Secretary

Chris Sovacool

David Combs

David Combs

Libby Collins

Cole Hanson

Tina Ooley

Tina Ooley

Tim Fry

Jeff Mckenna

Ash Zolton

GVORC Staff

Chandler Smith

Executive Director

Chandler has worked in the cycling industry for over 20 years and is one of the original founders of The Ride Collective, an event production company specializing in road, gravel and mountain bike experiences. Locally he produces Tour de Vineyards and Tour of the Moon. Chandler was also the Director of Ride The Rockies (2007 – 2016) and Pedal The Plains (2012 – 2016). A Colorado native, Chandler is both an avid outdoorsman and music junkie, in addition to his love for riding, you’ll often find him on Colorado’s streams and slopes or exploring artists at a number of his favorite music venues; this of course when he is not with his beautiful wife, Renee and baby daughters – Charlie and Ollie.

Contact

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Copyright 2024 GVORC | Design By Stray Wild | Developed By Be Someone Design Co.

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Sarah Shrader
Founder & President

Sarah is the Owner and Co-Founder of Bonsai Design, a world-class aerial adventure course provider. Bonsai is also the designer and anchor tenant of Riverfront at Las Colonias, a public-private partnership with the City of Grand Junction, Colorado. Sarah serves on the leadership council of the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of the Grand Valley, the executive committee of the State of Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, the Colorado Forum, and the board of directors of Colorado Public Radio. Sarah was the co-chair of the successful 2021 campaign to build a new Grand Junction High School. Most recently, Sarah designed and developed the Outdoor Recreation Industry Studies Bachelor of Science degree at Colorado Mesa University, where she serves as Program Director and Faculty. In her free time, Sarah can be found climbing mountains, adventuring in the backcountry, and skiing with her husband, Thaddeus, and their three sons.
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Ryan Robinson

Ryan Robinson is Assistant General Manager at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, overseeing a broad range of resort operations with a focus on guest experience, marketing, and strategic initiatives. After seven years leading marketing and sales efforts at Powderhorn, Ryan was promoted to his current role in 2022. His deep commitment to the resort and its community, combined with a broad understanding of resort operations, positions him as a key leader in driving the resort’s continued success. A native of Western Colorado, Ryan grew up spending weekends in the mountains, influenced by his parents, who were volunteer ski patrollers. His early experiences in ski retail management and terrain park building laid the foundation for his future career in the industry. Ryan holds an MBA from Colorado Mesa University, where he continues to contribute as a guest lecturer. He also serves on the Palisade Tourism Advisory Board, CMU MBA Alumni Board, Colorado Discover Ability Board, Mesa Country Trails Advisory Committee, and is passionate about the development of the local community and the resort industry. In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and two young boys, sharing the joys of skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of Powderhorn.
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Jody Corey

serves as the Treasure of the ORC and has been on the Board since 2020. Jody and her husband, Jeff Snook, are the owners of two Palisade businesses, Spoke and Vine Motel and Fidel’s Cocina. Jody has worked in a variety of fields including Property Management, Real Estate Development, Interior Design, Project Management, Human Resources and Finance. She grew up in Queens, New York before heading out West to Colorado to have better access to the outdoors. She is an avid cyclist who has visited the Grand Valley since 2002 where she fell in love with the area. She would visit the area multiple times a year until she and her husband made the move from Steamboat Springs, CO to Palisade in 2018. Her favorite activities are cross country skiing on the Grand Mesa, hiking with her two dogs at Riverbend Park, and trail riding with her horse in the McInnis Canyon area.

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Randy Miller

moved to the Grand Valley in 2004 to help build a successful software startup, fell in love with the abundance of outdoor rec opportunities and after nearly 20 years he and his wife have raised two beautiful daughters who grew up learning to love the outdoors. Along the way, a mountain biking group was formed that helped foster not only a large community of riders and events in the valley over the last decade, but also generated resources to help develop the trails, provide charitable donations within the community and help maintain the infrastructure they love so much. In addition to working with many local outdoor businesses as a technology consultant, Randy and his business partner have coordinated with many local, state and federal land managers, municipalities and private businesses to create outdoor adventure films that not only entertain, but serve as an homage to the Grand Valley and promote the outdoor lifestyle they feel so grateful to be a part of.

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Chris Sovacool

moved to Colorado’s Grand Valley in 2019, drawn by its world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. He currently serves as Operations and Supply Chain Manager at DT Swiss, a leading manufacturer of high-end bicycle components. Chris holds a degree in Supply Chain and Operations from Miami University and brings a diverse background spanning production, purchasing, and project management across the aerospace, defense, automotive and powersports industries. He is an active member of the Mesa Monument Striders and contributes to the PeopleForBikes Sustainability Working Group. Outside of work, Chris is an avid adventurer with a passion for trail running, camping, cycling, snowboarding, and bikepacking—and is an aspiring, if still novice, paddler.
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David Combs

David Combs

is originally from the Midwest (Minneapolis, MN) where he grew up, enjoying all outdoor environments the seasons could offer; from summer lake swimming and fishing to winter ice skating, sledding and even broomball. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BS in Criminal Justice. Moving West he has lived in Grand Jct. since 1980 and has a wife and raised 4 children and 6 Grandchildren in the Valley. He is a part owner of a small business that has provided Accounts Receivables Management services in the valley for the last 23 years and spent 12 years prior to that working for the financial arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Credit. He is an avid Fly Fisher and serves on the local Trout Unlimited Board. Other organizations he is a part of are One Riverfront, Stream Keepers, La Plaza Migrant Workers Committee, Trail Lamp Youth Services, Mesa County’s Crime Victim Compensation Board, Riverside Task Force, Black Citizens and Friends of Mesa County, CMU’s Diversity, Equity, Strategic Impact Board and the former he was the President of the Clifton Community Hall.

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Libby Collins

 is a project manager at Colorado West Land Trust and works to preserve landscapes and increase access to outdoor recreation throughout Mesa, Delta, Montrose, and Ouray counties. These projects include extensive collaborative work with communities, fundraising, land acquisition, and conservation of land all to support outdoor recreation and community stewardship of public and private lands.

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Cole Hanson

is a Grand Junction Native and has called the Grand Valley home for over 30 years. He has a mechanical engineering degree and Co-owns The Gear Junction, an outdoor gear retailer on Main Street in Grand Junction. When he is not working he can be found on the trails or rivers with his Wife Amanda and dog Teo.

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Tina Ooley

Tina Ooley

is a youth mentor, mountain bike instructor, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of EveryPedal MTB, an inclusion-focused mountain bike program that cultivates connection, self awareness, and healthy core values to work towards happier, healthier, more connected communities. She currently lives and plays in Fruita with her husband and two boys.

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Tim Fry

is the founder/owner of Mountain Racing Products (MRP).  MRP designs and manufactures bike components that solve problems for people who love cycling, with the single goal of helping people better enjoy their passion through great products.  MRP traces its roots back to the early 1990’s, the formative days of mountain biking.  Tim and his family enjoy all that Western Colorado has to offer, including great biking, amazing hiking trails, and skiing fresh powder.

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Jeff McKenna

Jeff owns and operates Colorado West Slope Fly Fishing as a guide and outfitter, specializing in guiding on the Colorado River, the Gunnison River, the Roaring Fork River, the Grand Mesa and loves hitting some special still water areas, too! Married with two sons, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family on and off the water, mountain biking, snowboarding, hosting travel, playing cards (HOLD ‘EM with his Boyz), attending concerts, and sipping whiskey.
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Ash Zolton

Ash (she/they) is a passionate advocate for more equitable outdoor spaces and the co-founder of Roam Events, the driving force behind the world’s first femme mountain bike festival, Roam Fest. A pioneer in inclusive event experiences, Roam has earned industry-wide recognition for crafting authentic, unforgettable, and purpose-driven gatherings. For two decades, Ash has worked globally as an adventure guide and event producer for leading outdoor brands. A self-proclaimed “nerd-jock,” Ash enjoys sci-fi, fantasy, history, and board games alongside rugby, hockey, mountain biking, skiing, and fishing.
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Steve Jozefczyk

is the Deputy Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), with the chief responsibility of implementing strategies aimed toward the creation of new primary jobs, assisting businesses with expansions and relocations, and creating a strong and diverse economy. After a decade of experience in the outdoor industry in Boulder, Colorado, Steve made a move to the Grand Valley. He has been in his current role with GJEP for nine years. When given the opportunity, Steve seeks challenges in ski mountaineering descents, ultra running, and riding the technical trails of the Grand Valley, but his most treasured moments involve embarking on adventures with his wife, Kari, and son, River.

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Matt Bell

Matt is the Business Development Director for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, where he leads efforts to recruit new businesses to Mesa County and support the growth of local companies. A Colorado Mesa University alumni, he is passionate about strengthening the community and creating quality job opportunities. He loves the Western Slope for its access to great skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. An avid baseball fan, Matt is working toward his goal of visiting every Major League Baseball stadium, 24 down so far!
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Daren Cole

Daren Cole has served as President and CEO of Leitner-Poma of America since 2019, leading the company’s strategic growth and North American operations. Under his leadership, LPOA expanded its U.S. manufacturing footprint with a new production facility in Tooele, Utah, and additional operations in Grand Junction, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and domestic production.

With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the ski, hospitality, travel, and manufacturing industries, Daren has held executive roles at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and Purgatory Resort. Since joining LPOA in 2014, he has helped position the company as a leader in mountain infrastructure while expanding ropeway technology into urban transportation and theme park markets.

A graduate of Colorado State University, Daren is a strong advocate for the outdoor recreation industry and the Grand Valley community. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys cycling, skiing, trail running, hiking, camping, and a variety of other outdoor pursuits.

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Tawny Espinoza

Tawny is the Chief Development Officer at Community Hospital in Grand Junction, CO. She has worked for Community Hospital for 15 years. During her tenure, she has served local employer groups managing their narrow network agreements and wellness programs to improve access and reduce the cost of healthcare. Tawny also oversees Occupational Medicine, Sports Medicine, and other value-based projects, such as the ACO. Tawny works to develop strategies that enable hospitals to better serve their communities. Since 2018, she worked to build an onsite childcare center, which opened in September of 2023.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Performance and Wellness, with concentrations in both Exercise Science and Corporate Fitness, and a master’s degree in Business Administration, both from Colorado Mesa University. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Kinesiology Department and a volunteer coach with the Triathlon team at CMU. Tawny has served on numerous boards and coalitions, and currently sits on the Grand Junction Sports Commission.

In her free time, Tawny can be found teaching Pilates, training for triathlons, and recreating with her family and friends.

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