Become a Cohort of Co-Arts

There are so many things that are happening in the state of Colorado. Yesterday, I met with the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Department of Local Affairs, and two small connecting town mayors. I also had a long meeting with Denver Botanic Gardens and CSU Extension on demonstration gardens. I share the vision of a Town Center in Silver Cliff and a partnership with the Emergent Incubator College, and I will be mentoring next-generation entrepreneurs in my work at Valley Parks and Recreation at the Old School House. One of the projects involves going through the historic valley archives, digitizing them, and displaying them in both of our towns. They have sat in the attic for 25 years. It is up to us to share the stories of our towns in our big valley!

In our case, we are promoting mixed-use housing on Main Street, where new businesses and families can start businesses and live in the valley. That is what we have done with our chalet on Main Street. With author Dick Jones, we continue to tell the stories that reflect the community through stories and songs.

Our state and our region are facing economic, ecological, and educational challenges. If we can retain the next generation of citizen entrepreneurs, artisans, and leaders by making our two towns a campus — starting new businesses and becoming a TAG Team (Think and Action Groups) to face the challenges in community through recreation, education, arts, transportation, travel, and entrepreneurship — we will have a base of future leaders for many years to come. It is time to say: "We need to get creative!"

Subscribe to CREATE Daily and Homestand Journal, written by Richard Arnold Beattie, President of the Colorado Chapter of the Leadon Family Foundation, Valley Parks and Recreation, and Sound Century Academy of Recording Arts and Broadcasting. Email: richardbeattie809@gmail.com.