Celebrating 80 Years - 2000, Children’s Literacy Center

Since 1993, Children’s Literacy Center has been working with children throughout the state of Colorado to improve their reading skills with free, one-on-one tutoring opportunities. True to their mission of “building a life of success though a foundation of literacy…ONE child at a time,” Children’s Literacy Center has a vast network of volunteers who work with hundreds of kids each year.

Gubernatorial candidates spar in Colorado Springs debate over visions for Colorado

Colorado’s two major-party candidates for governor sparred over health care, transportation funding and energy policy, among other topics, in a televised debate Saturday night in Colorado Springs.

Celebrating 80 Years - 1999, El Pomar Youth in Community Service

El Pomar Youth in Community Service (EPYCS) was a program administered by El Pomar Foundation to educate and encourage youth to participate in philanthropy and engage with their communities through service. From 1991 to 2008, EPYCS students learned about grant making, developed leadership and professional skills, and gained first-hand knowledge of their communities and the nonprofit sector.

Celebrating 80 Years - 1998, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

While alive, the Penroses were consistently committed to support Colorado’s students and educational institutions, through both grants and scholarships. One way El Pomar’s Trustees have continued this legacy is through support for the University of Colorado Foundation, which is El Pomar’s 5th-highest grant recipient to date. The CU Foundation manages private financial support for the University of Colorado, including all four campuses: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Anschutz Medical. In particular, given the Foundation’s deep roots in the Pikes Peak region, El Pomar has established a strong legacy of giving to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Celebrating 80 Years - 1997, Colorado Nonprofit Association of the Pikes Peak Region

True to its mission to strengthen Southern Colorado’s nonprofit sector with leadership and resource development, advocacy, and collaboration, the Colorado Nonprofit Association of the Pikes Peak Region (formerly the Center for Nonprofit Excellence) has served as an invaluable resource for local nonprofits for more than 20 years. In 1991, El Pomar provided a three-year start-up grant in recognition of the organization’s work to support other nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

North Council member Bob Tointon named 2019 Citizen of the West

North Council member Bob Tointon has been named the 2019 Citizen of the West, the top honor awarded by the National Western Stock Show.

Celebrating 80 Years - “Code of the West,” 1996, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy

Since 1979, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy has been promoting the sport of rodeo to thousands of visitors every year. El Pomar’s support for this outstanding organization ties back to Spencer Penrose’s passion for promoting rodeo in the Pikes Peak region.

Celebrating 80 Years - “Olympic City, USA,” 1995, United States Olympic Committee

Known as “Olympic City, USA,” Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Committee headquarters, more than 20 national Olympic governing bodies, 50 national sport organizations, the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, and the U.S. Olympic Museum scheduled to open in 2020. El Pomar has played a significant role in the establishment of the city as a center for the nation’s Olympic movement: the Foundation supported the United States Olympic Committee during its 1978 move to Colorado Springs and in the 40 years since.

Celebrating 80 Years - Sports and Entertainment in the Pikes Peak Region, 1994, Broadmoor World Arena

For more than 20 years the Broadmoor World Arena has brought a diverse selection of musical, artistic, sporting, and cultural events to the people of Colorado Springs. The arena, constructed to replace the original complex at the Broadmoor Hotel, is closely connected to Spencer Penrose’s legacy as a promoter of sports and entertainment across the Pikes Peak region.

Celebrating 80 Years - “Strengthening the Civic Fabric,” 1993, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcast Network

Local public broadcasting is a cornerstone of democracy built on the notion that citizens are able to engage in the community on a deeper level when that news is localized, accessible, and instructive. Since 1956 the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcast Network has worked to “strengthen the civic fabric of Colorado” by providing inspiring and informative programming throughout the state.

Celebrating 80 Years - Encouraging Entrepreneurial Education, 1992, Junior Achievement USA

Junior Achievement USA is the largest nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to providing students with business, personal finance, and entrepreneurship training. Volunteers in over 100 countries and all 50 states lead the educational programming for which Junior Achievement USA is known.

Celebrating 80 Years - “A Place to Call Home,” 1991, La Puente Home

Large-scale social issues like homelessness can seem difficult or daunting to address, but communities often benefit when they come together to respond to such challenges with compassion and care. La Puente Home, an Alamosa-based nonprofit that serves six counties in the San Luis Valley, has worked since 1982 to “meet immediate needs and empower people to live independently with dignity.”

Celebrating 80 Years - “The Things You Learn from Sports,” 1990, The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation

The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation was created in 1978 to assist the United States Olympic Committee in its relocation to Colorado Springs. 40 years later, The Sports Corp continues to support amateur athletes from across the state, while managing events that draw visitors from around the world. One of these events, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, has a special connection to El Pomar Foundation and the Penrose legacy.

Tickling the ivories, using your feet: Nottingham player piano joins artifacts at Eagle museum

Pam Boyd, Vail Daily Eagle County's Nottingham family were the proud owners of a player piano, which is now on display at the Eagle County Historical Society Museum at Chambers Park in Eagle. "A $2,500 grant from El Pomar definitely kicked off the repair work," Eagle County Historical Society President Kathy Heicher said. The society hired a piano moving company, sent the instrument off to Denver and waited for word that the work was complete. This summer, the working Nottingham piano returned to Eagle County.

Celebrating 80 Years - An Inaugural Awards for Excellence Recipient, 1989, Mi Casa Resource Center

Mi Casa Resource Center was founded in 1976, when eight mothers living in West Denver came together to create a place for women who wanted more for themselves and their families. They sought a safe and supportive environment where women could complete their education and acquire new employment skills while their children received help and encouragement in school, and Mi Casa has operated to promote self-sufficiency, education, and employment skills ever since.

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