Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Colorado

Background Statement

The Boys & Girls Club of Craig's roots date back to early 2003, when Club programs first were offered at East Elementary School in Craig, CO. The impetus for opening the Boys & Girls Club of Craig was to address the area's limited availability of youth programs. The Club continued to offer youth programs at this school-based local for a six-month period, while it simultaneously worked on establishing its 501c3 tax-exempt status. During this incorporation process, the Craig Club effectively negotiated with the City of Craig to submit a grant to the Department of Local Affairs for the purchase and renovation of a local, vacant Armory building. A $600,000 grant was secured, which provided funds for both the building purchase and required renovations. Since then, this building has been leased to the Craig Club. The Boys & Girls Club of Craig officially opened its doors for youth programming in June 2004. In 2021, the organization served more than 350 members, with an average daily attendance of 100 youth.

In 2007, as a result of the Craig Club's positive impact and success, a steering committee in Steamboat Springs was formed, with the intent of establishing a Boys & Girls Club in Steamboat. After two years of conducting exploratory meetings and research regarding this potential organizational expansion, the Steamboat Springs Club of the organization opened for youth programming on June 8, 2009. The organization's board of directors pledged its support by allowing the new Club to begin under the Craig Club's 501c3 designation. In 2021, the Steamboat Unit served more than 450 members, with an average daily attendance of 105 youth. In September, 2009 the Board voted to change the name to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Colorado (BGCNWC) with Clubs operating in both Craig and Steamboat Springs to represent the regional service area.