Edwards, Colo. – May 18, 2016 – As part of Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise program, Colorado Mountain Express (CME) has partnered with the Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center (USELC) by donating a Ford E350 van to the organization.
Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center’s primary goal is to promote children’s social-emotional wellness by helping them learn to build trusting connections and relationships, to improve their self-esteem and invest in their personal and social leadership skills. They do this through experiential education in our shared natural environment where the curriculum is infused with their unique core values of C.A.R.I.N.G: compassion, adventure, relationships, integrity, nature and giving back.
“We’ve been pleased to support Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center through EpicPromise grant programs in recent years and it made sense that we support the organization even further this year with the van donation,” said John Dawsey, vice president and general manager of Colorado Mountain Express. “Ute Springs’ work in Eagle County is well-aligned with the values of our company and the mission of EpicPromise and CME is proud to be a part of building a stronger community through this donation.”
Vail Resorts’ philanthropic giving council determined that the vehicle donation would be a valuable opportunity to support Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center’s operations. The vehicle will be used to transport children to and from their outdoor adventures throughout Eagle and neighboring counties, as well as various Colorado State Parks.
“We are incredibly grateful to be the recipient of this year’s van donation,” said Julie Norberg, chief development and operations officer of USELC. “Owning this van will significantly improve our ability to continue fostering social-emotional leadership skills in youth for years to come. We really appreciate CME’s and Vail Resorts’ commitment towards helping Eagle County nonprofits.”
This is the sixth consecutive year that CME and Vail Resorts have donated a van to a deserving nonprofit organization in Eagle or Summit County. Vans have previously been donated to Eagle County’s SOS Outreach and The Cycle Effect, as well as Summit County’s Family & Intercultural Resource Center, the Keystone Science School and Friends of the Dillon Ranger District.
EpicPromise is Vail Resorts’ sustainability brand, which includes all of the Company’s environmental and community giving efforts. Through the brand, Vail Resorts contributes more than $8.6 million each year in cash and in-kind donations to critical non-profits that carry out youth and environmental programs in the communities where the Company operates.
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About Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center
Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center is a nonprofit 501c(3) based in Eagle County Colorado; our mission is to empower social-emotional leadership through adventures in nature. Our programming is designed for the young and young at heart. At Ute Springs, we transform lives by engaging youth to improve self-esteem, and to invest in personal and social leadership skills through experiential education in our shared natural environment. Ute Springs’ curriculum for children and youth is based on the State of Colorado and Eagle County School District’s emotional and social wellness standards, Olweus Bullying Prevention Programs, Sanford Harmony University teaching strategies, and the safety requirements set forth under our two Colorado child care licenses. To learn more about Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center please go to www.uselc.org.
About Colorado Mountain Express
Colorado Mountain Express provides professional and reliable airport shuttles and private chartered transportation services between Denver International and Eagle County Airports to most Colorado mountain locations including Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen and Snowmass Village. CME’s fleet of 250 vehicles includes Ford Transit and E350 vans, Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans, and four-wheel drive luxury SUVs. Colorado Mountain Express was named “Best Transportation Company” in Colorado Meetings + Events‘ Annual Best of Colorado Awards for 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as “Best Shuttle Service” in the Summit Daily’s “Best of Summit” awards for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. www.coloradomountainexpress.com
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate ten world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher in Australia; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. Vail Resorts owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
Contact(s)
Lesli Carlson
Email: lcarlson@vailresorts.com
Phone: 303-404-6472
Julie Norberg
Chief Development and Operations Officer, USELC
Phone: 801-870-0891
Email: julie@uselc.com