Leadership EvergreenLE Gives Back
Leadership Evergreen Class Projects
2022
Mural: This class continues to fundraise and plan for a beautiful mural on the Century Link building in downtown Evergreen.
2019
Water filling station: In downtown Evergreen by the Evergreen Mountain Village property, this was built by this class who worked with EPRD, Evergreen Metro District and ELF to make this an eco-friendly way for locals and tourists alike to fill up their water bottles and allow pets to use the ground-level water bowl while visiting downtown Evergreen.
2017
Smokey Bear Fire Awareness signs: After the rigorous CDOT approval process, fundraising over $12,000 and designing eye-catching signs, two Smokey Bear signs were installed on County Hwy. 74 in Evergreen and County Hwy. 285 in Conifer displaying fire bans and restrictions to visitors and residents to help prevent major wildfires.
Hero’s Day: this second project was a monthly recognition and gift-giving event, was instituted to show appreciation to our mountain area first responders who risk life and limb every day for the safety of others.
2015
501C3 creation: Nonprofit status for Leadership Evergreen and future class projects was fulfilled by this class.
Guinness Book of World Records: The record was broken and put LE on the map on 9-24-16 by building the world’s longest picnic table – 810 feet, 8.3 inches. Proceeds from the sale of picnic tables went to four area food banks.
Adopt a Highway: This third project was implemented between Barclay Road & 285 in Conifer.
2013
Smart 911 awareness: Education for the community about Smart 911 by distributing information at local events, through the fire department, in utilities billing statements, and to area newcomers.
Code RED: This second project tied into the first project by helping community members register for CodeRED, the Jefferson County emergency alert notification system.
Interpretive signs: The third project was signage with environmental and geographic information placed at Evergreen Lake. You might notice the signs around the lake were updated in 2022. An additional sign was to be installed at Staunton State Park once the new Visitor Center was built.
2011
Community Food Drive: The donated items were delivered to Evergreen Christian Outreach (EChO), Mountain Resource Center and Loaves and Fishes food bank in Idaho Springs. The timing of this project occurred during the North Fork fire, meeting a tremendous current need.
2009
Community Help Book: This publication listed non-profits and governmental agencies that provide human services for those in need of assistance. Copies were distributed to fire, law enforcement and service agencies, and posted on the Evergreen Chamber and Leadership Evergreen websites.
2007
Pedestrian Safety: In order to raise local compliance and improve crosswalk visibility, the class worked at crosswalks and pedestrian pickup points at several community events; wrote several “It’s our town, slow down” articles; coordinated a campaign to get several crosswalks re-painted and better marked. Additionally, they also worked with Drive Smart to promote safer pedestrian crossing zones.
New tree by Evergreen sign: This second project was a partnership with Spaulding Trees to replace the dead tree; in conjunction with other groups, raised funds to install a tree and watering system in 2009.
2005
Defibrillators: This class raised funds to purchase 3 emergency defibrillators in Evergreen. Since then, awareness has heightened about the need for this and more defibrillators are stationed around Evergreen.
2003
No class project.
2001
Assisted with the county’s Highway 285 Master Plan.
1999
No specific project, but many class members went on to serve on local non-profit boards, including Leadership Evergreen.
1997
Mountain Mentoring Project, which promoted Big Brothers & Big Sisters to the schools. Local mentors were paired with students.
Researched the cost of incorporating Evergreen by studying data and hosting a meeting at the Lake House for the community. Based on 1997 dollars, they estimated that a home assessed at $300,000 would have an annual increase in property taxes of $1,800+ for no appreciable increase in services.