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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

Cole Hanson
Vice Chair

Jody Corey
Treasurer

Randy Miller
Secretary

Christi Reece

Christi Reece

David Combs

David Combs

Libby Collins

Ryan Schramm

Steve Jozefczyk

Tina Ooley

Tina Ooley

Tim Fry

Vince Anderson

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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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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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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Christi Reece

Christi Reece

grew up in a small town in Western Colorado, and found her joy and purpose in the peaks, trails, and ski slopes of the San Juan Mountains. After moving to Grand Junction in 2002, she developed a love for the canyon country and enjoys having Grand Junction as home base for adventures. Christi owns and operates a boutique real estate firm in the Grand Valley, dedicated to providing superior customer service and a refreshing approach to marketing and communication. 

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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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Ryan Schramm

is the General Manager for Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. which operates Powderhorn Mountain Resort. Ryan has resided in the Grand Valley since 2019. Ryan was practically born wearing skis and grew up as an accomplished ski racer and learned the trades of small business while working in his father’s ski and bike shops. He has a culinary degree from PCT- Penn State and has worked across multiple industries throughout his career, spanning from restaurants in New York to stints with Aramark, Sodexho and Brock and Company before returning to the ski industry full-time in 2010. Ryan has coached ski racing at many levels for the past 26 years and holds multiple national certifications. Ryan has reshaped business through sustainable practices and transformative leadership. In addition to overseeing the daily operations and future planning of Powderhorn, he is also a frequent speaker and presenter in the ski and outdoor recreation industries. Ryan is also an avid cyclist, backpacker and motorsport/rally competitor. Ryan engages in community leadership through serving on local and national boards, including Caprock Academy, GJEP, Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Leadership Council, Mesa County Trail Alliance, Colorado Ski Country USA, and National Ski Areas Association.

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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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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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Vince Anderson

is a mountain guide based in Grand Junction, Colorado, and the owner of Skyward Mountaineering. Dedicated to the wholehearted pursuit of alpinism, he has made the first ascents of routes on K7 West in Pakistan and on the North Face of Mount Alberta, and he and Steve House won the 2006 Piolet d’Or for their alpine-style first ascent of the Central Pillar of Nanga Parbat’s Rupal Face. A father of three, Vince splits his time between mountain guiding, rocking out to vinyl records, and mind-expanding climbing experiences.