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Leadership Evergreen was inspired in 1993 by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce (Colorado Association of Commerce and
Industry) sponsored, one-year leadership program, called ‘Fifty for Colorado’. The purpose of the program was
to educate fifty up-and-coming individuals on economics, inner workings of governmental affairs and on information regarding
organizations or businesses that have an impact at the State level.
Using this model, Evergreen Area Chamber of
Commerce former Executive Director, Andy Petrick and Linda Kirkpatrick, former publisher of Upbeat magazine, who both graduated
from ‘Fifty for Colorado’, collaborated on the benefits of offering a similar program in Evergreen, and they introduced
a small-scale equivalent leadership program in 1994.
An executive team of ten local community representatives
was formed to create the curriculum modules and develop the new Leadership Evergreen program. Initially, under the wing of
the Chamber, the program was designed to encourage individuals to participate and understand more about the inner workings
of local government, including unincorporated Jefferson County, Special Districts, and how other organizations make things
happen in the Evergreen area.
With planning underway, the first applicants were accepted in the fall of 1995 and
the first official class began in January of 1996. Fifteen candidates were selected through a rigorous interview process,
and a majority of the first graduates are still entrusted leaders in our community. Leadership Evergreen is governed by a
rotating Board of Directors, many of whom are program graduates, who plan the curriculum bi-yearly for each new leadership
class. Then, and now, leadership class participants experience lessons in the community’s Economic Development, Jefferson
County Government, Public & Community Services, Natural and Environmental Resources, Recreation & Tourism, Health
& Education, and the Legal System, with each session taught by qualified professionals in their fields of expertise.
Leadership Evergreen is now a stand alone entity and is a strongly respected leadership program that grooms its participants
for qualified and informed leadership. Not only does Leadership Evergreen develop strong active leaders, but these individuals
have a broader understanding, respect, and commitment to the history and culture of our community.
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