In the heart of Steamboat Springs, where rivers wind through valleys and mountains inspire endless exploration, Gretchen and Pete Van De Carr built a life rooted in giving, growth, and community. This year, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation honors them as the 2025 Legacy Philanthropists of the Year, recognizing their decades of unwavering dedication to the people and places of the Yampa Valley.
Gretchen arrived in Steamboat Springs in the fall of 1990, drawn not just by the natural beauty but by an invitation from friends and a sense of belonging she felt immediately. “I was struck by the Yampa Valley Curse, and it was the deep sense of community that kept me here.” In fact, it was a simple yet profound comment from local legend Hazie Werner that solidified her connection. When asked how she felt about new people moving to town, Hazie replied, “We made room for you, didn’t we?” That message of welcome and inclusion has stayed with Gretchen ever since.
Pete’s journey to Steamboat began in the late 1970s, drawn by college rugby trips and a love of adventure. Over nearly five decades, Pete wore many hats – math teacher, carpenter, bartender – but he found his true calling when he opened Backdoor Sports in 1986. Whether he was telemark skiing, paddling, climbing, or flying with the Steamboat Springs Flying Club, Pete lived every day with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share that joy with others, especially kids.
Their shared commitment to giving back is woven into every aspect of their lives. As Gretchen describes, “The heart of this community is in the symbiotic relationships between individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, and visitors alike. We are all honored to share what we can to keep that spirit alive.” Pete exemplified this by going out of his way time and again to help others experience the beauty of nature, whether on the river, trail, or slopes.
Gretchen’s philanthropy has long centered on youth development and community capacity-building. Best known for her for her 30-year tenure as the founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, she has also played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s nonprofit landscape. Gretchen was on the founding boards of many of the current youth-serving organizations including Partners in Youth and the Routt County Youth Services Council. Her impact extends beyond youth initiatives, having served on environmental boards such as the Yampa River System Legacy Partnership and Friends of Steamboat Lake State Park, as well as on regional and statewide boards supporting the nonprofit sector, including the Community Resource Center and Northwest Colorado’s Rural Philanthropy Days. Today, she devotes her time to mentoring emerging nonprofit leaders and helping connect people with the causes they care about most.
Pete, ever the river steward, was known as the “Lorax of the Yampa.” He was the founding president of Friends of the Yampa and was serving on that board as well as the Yampa River Fund board when he passed away in February 2025. His legacy includes countless river cleanups, leadership in drafting the Yampa River Management Plan, and a lifelong commitment to protecting the waterways he loved so deeply.
When asked what she is most proud of in her philanthropy, Gretchen points to the next generation: “Believing in youth and empowering them to take leadership in maintaining and growing the spirit of this community.” Pete’s pride lay in the health and vitality of the Yampa River and the many people he inspired to care for it.
Looking ahead, Gretchen plans to keep giving back by sharing her experience and continuing to learn from the community’s rising leaders. Her hope is to “discover opportunities where my experience can assist others in becoming their best, while always learning how to be my best from the new generation of leaders.”
As the community gathers to celebrate this honor, the legacy of Gretchen and Pete Van De Carr serves as a beautiful reminder that, in the Yampa Valley, giving back isn’t just a choice, it’s a way of life.
