Robinson: A career of service, spirit and strength
Valley Voices
For 19 years, Nancy Jo King has played a key role in keeping our community moving at ECO Transit (now Core Transit) as a bus operator and supervisor. As we celebrate her retirement, it’s time to look beyond the wheel and honor the people who keep our community moving.
I had the privilege to sit down with Nancy and learn more about her journey, and I can tell you, it has been anything but boring. From a childhood steeped in softball fields outside Detroit to a career dedicated to serving her community in Colorado, her story is one of resilience, service and joy.
Early life: Finding purpose in play
Growing up in Redford, Michigan, Nancy’s childhood revolved around sports. Her father’s passion for baseball inspired all four of his children to play, and Nancy quickly found her place on the softball field. She played on the first fast-pitch baseball team in her high school’s history, while also coaching young girls through the local recreation association, where her mother was the director. Coaching came naturally to her — she loved the sport, loved the kids and cherished the opportunity to encourage them.
When Nancy moved to Eagle County, she carried this passion with her. She coached her own children’s teams, traveled with young players across the Western Slope for games, and found immense pride in watching those same kids carry their love of the sport into high school.
A move to Colorado and a career in service
Nancy first came to Colorado in 1981, with the intention of staying for just one winter after a road trip to visit a friend. Like many who fell in love with the mountains, she never left. She worked in restaurants, on the mountain, and even learned to ski because her job required it. By 1987, she had moved to Boulder to study massage therapy, a career she pursued for over a decade. Some of her fondest memories come from traveling with a sports massage team, treating cyclists on bike tours across Colorado and New Mexico.
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Life took a new turn when Nancy met her husband, Harald, on New Year’s Eve in 1989. Together, they built a life rooted in adventure. Harald was an ultramarathon runner, and that inspired Nancy to compete in the Leadville 100, one of the most grueling races in the country. They raised two children, Kiah and Miles, who became the center of their world.
After her kids were born, Nancy worked at the airport, embracing the fast pace and variety of the job. From guiding 757s into and out of gates to managing check-in, baggage and boarding, she thrived on the challenge. In 2006, she leaped public transportation, joining ECO Transit (now Core Transit). What began as a part-time job quickly grew into a full-time commitment.
Leadership, challenges and resilience
Driving a bus was intimidating at first, but as a lifelong learner, she adapted quickly. Within a year, she was promoted to road supervisor, covering the challenging night shifts. Balancing those hours with raising young kids was tough, but she was committed to providing her family with stability and the great benefits her new job provided.
In 2017, Nancy faced her greatest challenge: a stage four lymphoma diagnosis. True to form, she stayed positive, even traveling to Africa before starting treatment. After months of chemotherapy, she returned to work cancer-free, welcomed back by her colleagues with open arms.
That battle gave her a renewed perspective. “You always have to find the silver lining,” she says. “To go through something so horrific and then find joy from being cancer-free — it changes you.”
Throughout her career, Nancy became known for her leadership, gratitude, and the joy she brought every day to riders and coworkers alike. More than anything, like many of us in government, she valued serving others.
Looking ahead: Retirement and beyond
As she looks to retirement, Nancy reflects with pride on her journey. When I asked what she was most proud of, she replied, “Myself, I’m proud of all the things I learned, saw and appreciated, it’s just made me who I am. I’m proud of raising two beautiful children and now I have a granddaughter.”
That granddaughter has reshaped her vision of retirement — she plans to support her daughter and son-in-law’s new business in Evergreen, spend more time with family, traveling, teaching and practicing yoga, knitting, and of course, continue spreading joy.
Nancy’s career is one of dedication, resilience, and spirit. From the softball fields of Michigan to the bus routes of Eagle County, she has lived a life defined by serving others and gratitude. As she steps into retirement, she leaves behind not just a career, but a community that is better because she was a part of it. Please join me in thanking Nancy Jo for her impact on our community and wish her the best in retirement.
