Blog
Voices of the Internship - Lunch with Mrs. Penrose
If you could go to lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? 2018 intern Maddie Warren says, "Julie Penrose."
Voices of the Internship - From the Top of the World
2018 intern Jack Brusa discusses his involvement in the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb as he worked for the The Sports Corp over the past summer.
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation honors historic support of military and their families
There were 72 years of history and 185,000 reasons to celebrate as the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation wrapped up a record-breaking year.
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 - 1961, Penrose Community School
In its first year, 1937, El Pomar granted to five organizations: the Fountain Valley School, Glockner Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club of The Pikes Peak Region, the Junior League of Colorado Springs (for the Nutrition Camp School), and the Penrose Community School. The grant to the community school in Penrose, Colorado offers an opportunity to explore the history of the town named for El Pomar Foundation’s founder.
Celebrating 80 Years - Mrs. Penrose and a Place of Spiritual Solace, 1956, Pauline Chapel
The Pauline Chapel was built in 1919 by Spencer Penrose on behalf of his wife. Julie Penrose was a devout Catholic and her interest in charitable giving encouraged the couple to establish El Pomar Foundation as a means to give back to the communities of Colorado. With Mrs. Penrose’s passing in 1956, the Foundation entered a new stage, in which the stewardship of the Penrose legacy transferred from the Penrose’s to Trustees outside of the family.
Celebrating 80 Years - 1948, Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Founded in 1923, Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and its parish have been longstanding contributors to the Colorado Springs community. Closely engaged with the social, educational, and cultural life of Colorado Springs, priests and parishioners initiated the American Red Cross chapter, the Community Chest, the Tuberculosis Association, and the Visiting Nurses Association, and Ecumenical Social Ministries.
Celebrating 80 Years - 1944, Penrose House and the Meaning of 'El Pomar'
Many philanthropic foundations bear the names of their founders, so it may not be immediately obvious why the name “El Pomar” is associated with the Penrose legacy. The answer lies in the Penrose House, Spencer and Julie Penrose’s Colorado Springs home, which now serves as a free-of-charge meeting space and conference center for nonprofit agencies and government organizations.
Celebrating 80 Years - The Wild Side of the Penrose Legacy, 1943, Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society
Spencer Penrose was enamored with animals and channeled this passion into the creation of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. El Pomar’s third-largest grant recipient to date, the Zoo continues to operate on the mountain west of the Broadmoor, providing world-class recreation, education, and conservation efforts from 6,800 feet above sea level.
Celebrating 80 Years - The First Lady of Opera, 1940, Central City Opera House
While much of El Pomar’s giving was shaped by the vision, life and legacy of Spencer Penrose, the influence of his wife, Julie Villiers Lewis Penrose, cannot be understated. Mrs. Penrose directed the Foundation for 16 years following Spencer’s passing, and her philanthropic passion, devout Catholicism, and interest in arts and culture all helped shape the direction of the Foundation’s grant making. The Foundation's long history of giving to the Central City Opera House is one example of her legacy.