Celebrating 80 Years - 1973, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation (Norris Penrose Event Center)

Spencer Penrose loved and celebrated western heritage, and one certain way to do that was to found and host the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in a stadium at the Broadmoor Hotel in 1938. While the event and venue have changed over the years, the Rodeo continues to take place each July in celebration of Western tradition and in recognition of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed their lives in defense of the United States of America.

Celebrating 80 Years - Building Character in the Wild, 1972, Colorado Outward Bound School

Every year, members of El Pomar’s Fellowship program participate in a weeklong Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) course, where they are given the opportunity to reflect on the philosophy and practice of leadership in the unique context of the wilderness. Over 200 have participated in Outward Bound since the 1990’s, but the Foundation’s connection to the organization dates back to 1967 when COBS received its first grant from El Pomar.

A First Glance at the Shrine

This is my first week as an intern at the Shrine, and every time I drive through the gates it feels ridiculously cool to realize I work there. There is an incredible amount of history surrounding the Shrine, whether regarding the structure itself, the artifacts inside, or all the different visitors and the stories that they bring with them.

Celebrating 80 Years - Honoring Western Heritage, 1971, Western Stock Show Association

Since 1906, the Western Stock Show Association has been a vital contributor to Colorado’s tourism and livestock industries. A nonprofit rich in western heritage and tradition, the Western Stock Show Association strives to further education in agriculture and stages the National Western Stock Show every year.

Celebrating 80 Years - 1970, University of Denver Campus Library

The Penroses' support for education was clear in their philanthropic activity, as can be seen in the considerable support offered in scholarships throughout the state in the Foundation’s early years. Ever since, the Foundation has made it a priority to continue to support the higher education institutions that have promoted Colorado’s vibrant and competitive growth.

Celebrating 80 Years - 1969, Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, Inc.

Since 1954, Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, Inc. has been educating and inspiring young people to value free enterprise and understand business and economics to improve the quality of their lives. The organization now serves more than half of the counties in Colorado.

Celebrating 80 Years - “A fit place for the Gods to assemble,” 1968, City of Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods Rock Ledge Ranch

Iconic in Colorado Springs is the Garden of the Gods—massive red rocks that rise vertically from the foothills beneath Pikes Peak. Adjacent to the famous park is the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, a living history adventure that takes visitors back in time through various moments in the early settling of the Pikes Peak of Region.

Borderlands exhibit Valley day set

Two Regional Advisory Councils of El Pomar Foundation assisted in bringing the original Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to Pueblo. Read more from the Valley Courier.

An Answer to Everything

Business school applications and interviews were no joke, but I felt confident going through the process— El Pomar has provided me with experiences to answer just about anything that comes my way. While not all of my answers describe successful adventures, each one relates a meaningful learning experience and makes for a great story.

Celebrating 80 Years - “No place so democratic”, 1967, The Pikes Peak Library District and Penrose Library

Libraries have evolved to become central components of thriving communities, and El Paso County is fortunate to be served by the Pikes Peak Library District and its 14 locations, online resources, and mobile library service. In 1967, El Pomar demonstrated its support for libraries and the resources they provide with a grant toward the construction of the Penrose Public Library in downtown Colorado Springs.

Celebrating 80 Years - 1966, Air Force Academy Foundation

It is no secret that Colorado Springs has been closely connected to the United States military throughout its history, and one element of that is the United States Air Force Academy, located in the northern part of the city. The Air Force Academy was established in 1954 and graduated its first class in 1959, and El Pomar has proudly supported the Academy through the Air Force Academy Foundation from the beginning.

Celebrating 80 Years - Investing in Education, 1965; Colorado Academy, Denver Country Day School, and Kent Denver

Education has been one of El Pomar’s grant making areas from the beginning, when one of the Foundation’s first five grants was provided to the Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs in 1937. As the Foundation’s grant making began to expand geographically in the 1950s and 1960s, grants were provided to three private schools in Denver that provided similar focuses on student learning and development.

Celebrating 80 Years - Support for Innovation in Medical Research, 1964, Webb-Waring Center

Originally founded as the Webb-Waring Lung Institute in 1924, the Webb Waring Center at the University of Colorado School of Medicine works “...to conduct and teach innovative biomedical research that improves the understanding, treatment and prevention of disease worldwide.”

Celebrating 80 Years - 1963, Payne Chapel

What today serves as a brewery and event center was originally built as an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in 1897. The Carter Payne Chapel at Weber and Costilla was built on land donated by Colorado Springs founder General William Jackson Palmer. And while the AME congregation it once housed has moved to another location, the building remains as an important reminder of Colorado Springs history.

Celebrating 80 Years - Standing Up for Others, Honoring the El Paso County Corps of the Salvation Army and Ben Wendelken, 1962

Originally founded as a Mission in London in 1865 by Catherine and William Booth, the Salvation Army now serves in 127 countries around the world with the mission of meeting human need without discrimination. The Colorado Springs Corps serves all of El Paso County, and provides a range of services including food programs, youth programs, disaster services, and shelter & housing.

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