It is a special time of year -- the annual convergence of recreation professionals at Colorado Park’s Recreation Association’s annual conference. As we packed up the Essenza-branded exercise bands, mugs, and fanny packs, our excitement grew. With the tradeshow booth secure in its case, we made our way to Snowmass to spend 48 hours connecting with clients, colleagues, and friends. It is an energizing event filled with learning opportunities, new connections, karaoke crooners, and, this year, a very special sunrise hike. Thank you, fabulous CPRA staff, for thoughtfully planning your event at the height of fall color season!

The CPRA conference allows us to connect with others passionate about improving quality of life through recreation. As a self-proclaimed gym rat, you will often find me at my favorite local municipal recreation center. Early in my career, I was fortunate to hold the the head lifeguard at Arizona State University’s Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. Kristen, my conference partner and business development lead, has been in a dance class of some kind for 44 years and holds a B.S. in Parks and Recreation Administration. We love talking about all things recreation and helping municipalities realize their goals. It is this personal relationship to municipal recreation that fuels our commitment to supporting the CPRA community.

With its largest attendance ever, the conversation during CPRA’s “Schmoozapalooza” was robust. We heard a lot of good news about projects underway, and others are being looked at for the future. The most common challenge is funding. Now that the long-felt shell shock of construction inflation has settled in a bit for municipalities, many are adjusting their game plans to fulfill the communities’ expressed desires for additional recreation facilities or improve the existing ones. All options are on the table--private-public partnerships, IGAs, grants, inventive fundraising campaigns, and tax initiatives. It will be an exciting time to watch the ballot results both this year and in 2024. We wish all the communities asking for voter support best wishes for “Yes” outcomes!

You have our gratitude CPRA community! See you in Keystone 2024!