This quarter’s newsletter features a reflection on 30 years of the Fellowship program from Deputy Director of the Fellowship, Elizabeth Hoffner, along with photos from the recent 30th Alumni Reunion, an overview of the in-person return of Western Legislative Academy and an update on the ELD Program.
CELERATING 30 YEARS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
In honor of the recent Fellowship 30th Reunion, El Pomar's Deputy Director of the Fellowship, Elizabeth Hoffner, reflects on her Fellowship experience and what 30 years of El Pomar's flagship post-collegiate experience means to her and the generations of community leaders that have gone through the program.
FELLOWSHIP ALUMNI RETURN TO EL POMAR TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF THE FLAGSHIP PROGRAM
After a year delay due to COVID-19, the Fellowship alumni reconvened at Penrose House and The Broadmoor to celebrate the program's 30-year anniversary. Please enjoy these captures from a reunion filled with fun, reconnection and fellowship.
HEAR THE FELLOWSHIP STORY
In honor of 30 years of the Fellowship, please enjoy a fresh look at the program, and what makes it a leadership experience unlike any other.
ELD RENAMED "ELEVATING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT"
At the milestone of 20 years, El Pomar Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Development (ELD) program is updating its name and mission, and enhancing its core values. While the acronym (ELD) remains the same, the new name, Elevating Leadership Development, is an updated reflection of the mission, focused on advancing the skills, knowledge and network of leaders of color and celebrating leadership diversity. The new mission states:

“ELD advances the skills, knowledge and network of leaders of color by providing access to leadership development and civic engagement opportunities, and by celebrating ethnic diversity.”
EL POMAR HONORS PIKES PEAK OR BUST RODEO AT ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
At the 2021 annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in December, El Pomar Trustees honored the legacy of founder Spencer Penrose by presenting the Pikes Peak or Bust Foundation with a $25,000 grant in support of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, an annual Colorado Springs tradition founded by Mr. Penrose. The Rodeo has a long and successful history of helping carry on Spencer’s cultural and economic vision for the community, as well as supporting military service members and their families for nearly 75 years.
WESTERN LEGISLATIVE ACADEMY RETURNS TO PENROSE HOUSE
In December, El Pomar was proud to host Council of State Governments West and the annual Western Legislative Academy at Penrose House and The Broadmoor. Read more on the week that brought 39 legislators from 11 states together for intentional, bipartisan dialogue from 2nd Year Fellow Will Keyse below.
EL POMAR FOUNDATION ALLOCATED $575,000 IN FUNDING IN RESPONSE TO MARSHALL FIRE
On January 3, 2022, El Pomar Foundation’s Trustees approved $575,000 in grant funding to support immediate and ongoing relief efforts related to the Marshall Fire that has devastated Boulder County. With more than 1,000 homes and businesses destroyed, and others damaged, the fire has become the most destructive in Colorado history in terms of homes lost.
MILTON E. PROBY NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Each year since 2006, El Pomar Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Development, now Elevating Leadership Development, (ELD) program has recognized leaders of color in Southern Colorado in celebration of their civic contributions through the Milton E. Proby Induction Ceremony. This year’s nominations are currently open through May 6, 2022 and seek to identify a deserving honoree from the Black community to be recognized at the induction ceremony on Friday, August 19.  
STAFF UPDATES AT EL POMAR
Chris Sohn has been promoted to Vice President of Foundation Support, including oversight of the Awards for Excellence program and liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Nikki Partlow-Loyall joined El Pomar as Administrative Assistant/Foundation Support in October 2021. Returning from Little Rock, AR, where she received degrees in Political Science and History from University of Arkansas, we are fortunate to have her back in her hometown and working with El Pomar.
EMPTY STOCKING FUND RAISES RECORD SUM
El Pomar is proud to have supported Empty Stocking Fund for 25 years in order to ensure that 100 percent of dollars raised go directly to the 20 partner agencies. The Fund raised $1,727,433 in a record-breaking year of donations. The Fund was deeply honored by the generosity of its Colorado Springs neighbors in light of the challenges of the pandemic.