Vail Daily letter: Thanks for help

There is something really special about diverse communities coming together to make projects happen for kids who need them most. This summer, Colorado Mountain Express partnered with Big City Mountaineers to provide transportation for under-resourced youth coming from Denver for their first backpacking trips. Transportation is one of the biggest barriers for urban kids to experience the outdoors and Colorado Mountain Express generously providing vans for Big City Mountaineers’ summer programs significantly helped get more youth into the backcountry.

Big City Mountaineers is a Golden-based nonprofit that provides wilderness opportunities to under-resourced urban teens ages 13 to 18. On expedition, youth cultivate relationships with caring adult mentors in a unique one-to-one ratio of adults to teens. Using the backcountry as a backdrop, youth improve self-awareness and personal responsibility through curriculum that promotes group development and effective communication. Program results include increased likeliness to stay in school, reduction in violence, and a reduction in drug use.

Thank you to Colorado Mountain Express and their commitment to helping kids get outside! It is our sincere hope that they are able to expand this transportation program in the future to help more kids experience the outdoors that we all know and love.

Elizabeth Williams

Golden