BUILDING TRUST & STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS
ACROSS THE ROARING FORK & COLORADO RIVER VALLEYS

At Aspen Institute, we drive change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the greatest challenges of our time.
The Hurst Leaders Forum convenes community leaders across public, private and social sectors to help build trust, strengthen relationships, and promote more regionally collaborative solutions.
We are a connector of diverse leaders. We believe our collective resilience is reflected in our shared commitment to one another... And it shows.

Alumni Reunion 2024
115 Hurst Leaders Forum Members
83 Non-Elected Community Leaders
32 Elected Public Officials
60+ Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations
14 Municipal Governments
3 County Governments
4 School District Boards
CONNECT
LEARN
COMMIT
The Hurst Leaders Forum facilitates interactive experiences designed to help community leaders connect more meaningfully, engage more deeply & explore new opportunities to collaborate more effectively.
Great leaders already know... community leadership is not easy.
It takes humility, compassion, and a commitment to building understanding across the widest range of individual perspectives and personal values. Together, we're transcending connectivity into real impact.
And since our founding in 2020, we've been busy.
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
NEW MEMBER
RECRUITING

ASPEN INSTITUTE
CONNECTIVITY
ALUMNI
RE-ENGAGEMENT

People are Talking
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“I had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural year of the Hurst Leaders Forum. I daresay this program format is the most effective leadership/relationship-building program I have ever experienced. [This] work at the Aspen Institute has the potential to change the future for the betterment of all our communities.”
— Kathy Chandler-Henry, Board of County Commissioners
Eagle County
“I want to share my appreciation for the Hurst Leaders Forum. I feel that Aspen Institute’s local programs are of great value and a great connection for local leaders. The seminar has created bonds and open communication across our valley that will serve our community for years to come.”
— Torre, Mayor
City of Aspen
“I believe the collective work of the Hurst Leaders Forum is bringing together individuals and organizations that may not have had an opportunity to listen and learn together. Evan creates an environment that promotes genuine dialogue — and even difficult conversations, which is essential to growth and innovation. I look forward to the next phase of this work and the sustainable impacts of the Hurst Leaders Forum.”
— Maria Tarajano Rodman, Executive Director
Valley Settlement
"Through [the Hurst Leaders Forum] I was able to connect with community leaders I might never have encountered otherwise — who will now enrich my work through the addition of new connections and perspectives."
— Allison Alexander, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications
Aspen Community Foundation
“Evan believes, as do I, that regional collaborative dialogue is the best way to find solutions for the challenges of the day. To this end, he has worked to bring a diverse collection of folks together on multiple fronts to increase understanding and work cooperatively. I have personally participated in the regional speaker series and a thought-provoking leadership seminar. Evan put some structure around, and has become the biggest cheerleader, of our economic development conversations in the Colorado River Valley. Evan’s value for the entire region is just beginning to bear fruit and I would like to see the program continue and increase its reach and influence.”
— Jeff Layman, Town Administrator
Town of Silt
“I’m grateful for the relationships I now have with leaders who serve our community, thanks to participating in the Hurst Leaders Forum. Now more than ever, we need conversations between people with different lived experiences and perspectives, and I support [this] work to see what’s possible when we bring people together.”
— Jennifer Wherry, Executive Director
Alpine Legal Services
“Thanks to Evan, I have witnessed the Aspen Institute showing up in an authentic and intentional way that aligns with the values of our community throughout the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys. [This] work is making an impact in our area, and I hope for a continuation of this important work, that only succeeds at the speed of building trust.”
— Beatriz Soto, Protégete Director
Conservation Colorado
“The Hurst Leaders Forum was a remarkable opportunity to not only explore ideas of human-scale, community leadership and collaboration, but also create strong relationships with my community peers that will help us all achieve greater things. Evan's role was pivotal in helping us comfortably explore those ideas and quickly create bonds among the group members. He managed to be both a guide — fostering conversation and connection — and an integral part of the group. I think such an intimate experience could only be successful with the trust and confidence in its guide, and Evan provided that effortlessly.”
— Matt Scherr, Board of County Commissioners
Eagle County
“Evan has been working with small communities in western Garfield County and I have had the pleasure of working with him. He created the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership which will bring much needed jobs to the area — New Castle to Parachute. I appreciate Evan’s outside-the-box-thinking, organization and positive energy he brings to meetings.
It is clear he is sincere and clearly wants to see our small communities succeed.”
— Tommy Klein, City Manager
City of Rifle
“This opportunity allowed me to feel connected and to take time to engage in ways that were authentic. Rarely do we have the opportunities to really be with the leaders of our community in deep discussion of issues that are important.”
— Mason Hohstadt, Public Health Specialist
Garfield County Public Health
"I am truly honored to be part of this forum and am excited for all the new connections and friends."
— Dana Wood, Mobility Director
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
"I'm grateful to have been a part of this [Hurst Leaders Forum] cohort. The curriculum, participants and agendas were all curated perfectly."
— Alan Muñoz, Regional Organizing Manager
Voces Unidas de las Montañas
“[The Hurst Leaders Forum] was an amazing experience that provided me with different perspectives as well as an opportunity for personal growth.”
— Linda Consuegra, Assistant Chief of Police
Aspen Police Department
“The [Hurst Leaders Forum] was uplifting, challenging and inspiring. The opportunity to connect with peers and reflect on leadership and community building was joyous. I can't recommend it enough.”
— Ryan Honey, Executive Director
The Arts Center at Willits (TACAW)
“I loved the opportunity to participate with so many great leaders. I believe [the Hurst Leaders Forum] was perfectly designed with a beautiful flow.”
— Chris Jackson, Fire Chief
Grand Valley Fire Protection District (Parachute & Battlement Mesa)
“It has been my pleasure this past year to work with Evan as he facilitated a steering committee of our community leaders to identify opportunities and threats to our Grand River Valley (Parachute & Battlement Mesa). His leadership, facilitation skills, and networking efforts have proven immeasurably helpful as we tackle the challenges facing our community, and indeed, the region.”
— Peg Portscheller, Board of Trustees
Colorado Mountain College

"The Hurst Community Initiative has been instrumental in bringing the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership to life, fostering collaboration and innovation across our community. HCI's leadership and unwavering commitment has laid the foundation for a brighter and more prosperous future for our region. We are eternally grateful for the guidance and support."
— Alicia Gresley, Director
Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership
"The Hurst Community Initiative was the primary catalyst for the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership. As the founding board chair, I experienced HCI expertly navigate challenging issues, convene the right people, ask hard questions, and bring effective resources to bear — creating an environment of trust and encouragement for community leaders across West Garfield County."
— Carolyn Tucker, Board Chair
Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership

"The Hurst Community Initiative worked quietly behind the scenes to support our team from the beginning. From technical assistance and communications strategy to regional networking HCI continues to be a proven reliable community partner."
— April Long, Executive Director
West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition
"The Hurst Community Initiative reached out to support the emerging organization just as the Coalition was coming together. With a strategic eye on community outreach and equitable representation across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, HCI has helped us navigate the dynamic complexity of building trust across the region."
— Betsy Crum, Board Chair
West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH & ACCESS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
With a commitment to better understanding disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide we coordinated with the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society Program and a regional coalition of schools, community agencies, and non-profit organizations to publish a State of Play Report outlining the barriers and opportunities for local youth participating in play, sports, and outdoor recreation. New data has already helped drive local initiatives that support more equitable access for youth and young adults across the region.
"[HCI's] leadership and facilitation of solutions at the community level is precisely what the Institute needs to make the necessary contribution to the region it calls home."
— Tom Farrey, Executive Director Sports & Society Program


THE FIRST-EVER REGIONAL TASK FORCE FOR DISASTERS
In the wake of two regional wildfires and a global pandemic, we helped launch the West Mountain Regional COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).
The "COAD" is the first-ever tri-county collaborative task force committed to helping government emergency management teams prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any disaster across Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties.
In coordination with the American Red Cross of Colorado, we also organized multiple CPR First Aid trainings and Mass Care Shelter Training certifications for over hundred new volunteers from Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties.
Together, we're helping to build regional community where neighbors look out for each other when help is needed most.
To

INSPIRATION FOR A 10-PART SERIES ON REGIONALISM
"The Hurst Community Initiative's focus on regionalism helped inspire the concept for this book."
— Paul Andersen, Author
In Search of Community:
Finding Common Ground from Aspen to Parachute
©2024 Aspen Journalism
'Part of this initiative is getting people to remember that these are all stakeholders who are integral to the community...
folks who live throughout this continuum of geography from Aspen to Parachute; we could not survive without each other.'
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At Home in the Colorado Rockies for 75 Years