Curtis for CCA 2025

From an early age, rivers have been central to me. While they all run downstream, rivers have led me from the lush valleys of northwest Pennsylvania to western Colorado and, ultimately, to the Colorado Canyons Association. While my family has a generational appreciation for waterways, many others do not. CCA promotes appreciation and understanding of three regional National Conservation Areas in western Colorado, all of which are linked by the Gunnison and Colorado rivers. The public education offered by CCA builds life-long river advocates, which is crucial for the future of these valuable resources and diverse ecosystems.

As a leader in western Colorado's non-profit sector, I'm familiar with CCA’s impact on underserved youth. Many residents and nonresidents see outdoor access and experiences as a given in western Colorado. However, for many families, these parks and outdoor spaces are distant, due to stigmas, costs, and lack of education, making them seem inaccessible and unimportant. CCA breaks this trend, helping thousands of youth and marginalized locals appreciate nature from their big yellow rafts. From community stewardship projects, educational trips, and outreach, CCA is connecting these people to their public lands.

This year, as a member of the Board of Directors, I am asking for your support for the Colorado Canyons Association on Colorado Gives Day. The same financial burdens that hinder access to families also limit the advocacy and awareness efforts of CCA. As government funding and protections trend evermore in question, public support will ensure that my kids, your kids, all kids and future generations will have access to this incredible natural resource here in western Colorado. Please consider a financial contribution to Colorado Canyons Association this December. 

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Colorado Canyons Association Work and Impact 

Some of the most breathtaking and storied landscapes in North America—McInnis Canyons, Dominguez-Escalante, and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Areas—are also our communities’ wild backyards. These places define our quality of life and deepen our shared sense of place.

At Colorado Canyons Association (CCA), we work to ensure these public lands remain vibrant and protected for generations to come. Each year, we connect thousands of kids and adults to their NCAs through hands-on education, volunteer stewardship, and community experiences that inspire care and connection. 

Whether on foot, hoof, bike, boat, or ATV, CCA helps people build lasting relationships with the landscape and with one another.

Our work continues, strengthening community stewardship and ensuring Colorado’s NCAs thrive. 

So far in 2025...

• 2832 learners received place-based education on the lands and rivers of our National Conservation Area - 306 joined us on day-long or overnight river trips...

• 210+ CCA volunteers dedicated over 1,800 hours to stewarding their public lands…

• And over 500 adults connected to their public lands through CCA's community events! 

Thank you for caring about the landscapes that make our home such an amazing place!   With your donation we can help more kids experience our rivers, plant more native vegetation, connect more of our neighbors to the land, positively impact our wildlife and water and give back to the resources that give so much to us.