There’s something to be said about small towns and big communities.  With a population not quite at 13,000, Steamboat Springs, CO reflects this in a huge way, as its impact is felt throughout Routte County.  You feel it as you walk down Lincoln Avenue and notice the bustling local businesses. You feel it as you talk to a local who is dirt broke, but still managed to buy mittens for a local charity.  You see it in the number of turkeys that were dropped off at the community center on Thanksgiving.  As you walk into the Steamboat Chamber, you know right away that Steamboat may be a little town, but it surely has a huge heart.

The Steamboat Chamber of Commerce itself is quite the gem.  As a tourist or someone new in town, you can stroll in and feel immediately taken care of.  But beyond the marketing and advertisement geared towards tourists, the chamber also offers new businesses in town the opportunity to become involved with the Steamboat community.  With committees available such as the Philanthropist Committee and Young Professionals Network, the chamber helps propel these driven individuals throughout the year, involving them with a number of charitable organizations. 

From the more nationally known organizations like the United Way and the Humane Society, down to the local ones like Rex’s Holiday Wishes and Lift Up, Steamboat is in constant movement.  There will always be those less fortunate, no matter where you live.  But in Steamboat it’s in the back of nearly everyone’s mind and the effect is huge. 

To start off with, the United Way brings the community together with the largest Thanksgiving dinner you will ever see, feeding families who are not only unable to financially put a turkey on their table, but also for those locals who are without family.  As the United Way organizes this huge event, it’s actually the community itself that prepares and donates all the food.  Locals helping locals. It’s truly an amazing event.

Opening day of the ski season brings another charitable notion to the table. Season passes are not valid on opening day and the reason why is because all the proceeds of tickets go towards Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.  This organization is what funds less fortunate kids on the mountain.  They make sure that every child has the opportunity to strap on some skis and give the winter sports a shot. 

Through all the love poured into helping those less fortunate, the community itself is tightened.  There’s a sense of security knowing that we all are doing our best to look out for each other. Of course it’s the easiest time of year to keep that in mind, simply because of the holidays, but its important to Steamboat to keep it going all year.  Because that’s what Steamboat is all about. A constant sense of caring.