I-70 corridor

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  • 01/11/2024 8:41 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce is seeking a part-time coordinator. For details and an application, please email officei70ccoc@gmail.com or call
    720.731.1954

  • 06/16/2023 11:30 AM | Anonymous

    Bennett, CO - A talented local videographer, Heather Gravning of Luminous Imaging Solutions, a member of our I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce,  (www.LuminousImages.com), has garnered significant recognition for her exceptional work. Her music video, produced in September 2022 for the country music song "Same Ol Star" by CW & Twenty Hands High, has been nominated in the prestigious Music Video of the Year category at the 9th Annual Josie Music Awards. The awards ceremony, scheduled for October 22, 2023, will take place at the renowned Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. www.josiemusicawards.com

    Heather's captivating video has already achieved an impressive feat by ranking in the top 2% among numerous submissions, securing its well-deserved nomination alongside nine other exceptional videos. The filming locations, including the picturesque Valhalla Hunting Club and the charming Loves Travel Stop, perfectly complement the enchanting love story portrayed in the video. Notably, a show-stopping 55 Chevy truck, generously provided by Taylor's Body & Frame in Bennett, adds an extra touch of allure to the production.

    When asked about her inspiration for the video, Heather shared, "My aim was to capture a romantic love story, and Bennett was an ideal location with a community that wholeheartedly embraced and contributed to our creative vision." The singer CW, who stars in the video, now affectionately refers to the 55 Chevy as the "Ol Star," further adding to its mystique.

    To experience the magic of this love story, head over to YouTube at https://youtu.be/a5yugIB-d-8. While you're there, be sure to also check out CW & Twenty Hands High's second video, "Back to Wichita," featuring captivating footage captured at Lulu's Inn in Watkins.

    Embrace the opportunity to support local talent as Heather vies for the coveted title of Music Video of the Year.

    ​ 


  • 05/17/2023 6:28 PM | Anonymous

    HISTORY

    It was 3:00 p.m. on August 15, 1870 when the Kansas Pacific Railroads met just east of Strasburg. There was not a big celebration – the American flag and a keg of whiskey sat at the center of the last 10 1/4 miles of track to be laid. The first crew from either the east or the west to reach the center was the winner. The east team reached the center point and continued on to meet the west team. When the last spike was driven, a new record for laying track was set. When the rails were joined at Promontory, Utah in May 1869, the Union Pacific Railroad did not have a railroad bridge across the Missouri River. The only way to cross the Missouri River was by ferry boat. The Kansas Pacific Railroad had a railroad bridge spanning the Missouri River giving it the first continuous link.

    Hometown Days began in August 1970 to celebrate the opening of the new Comanche Crossing Historical Society’s Museum and as a fundraiser for the Museum.  The day began with a parade followed by many activities such as bread making, wheat threshing and a re-enactment of the joining of the rails. The Museum continued to coordinate the Hometown Days celebration for several years until the Hometown Days Committee was formed.  The Committee is comprised of many dedicated volunteers, some with over 20 years dedication. The parade has grown from 25 entries in 1970 to over 100!

    The festivities are held the second, full weekend in August throughout the community of Strasburg. Most activities are free! The Comanche Crossing Museum, one of the best kept secrets in the state, is open for tours. Come join us for a fun weekend and some hometown spirit.

    EVENT COORDINATION COURTESY OF: Strasburg Hometown Days Committee, Strasburg Fire District, Strasburg Parks & Rec District, and the Strasburg School District. EMAIL: strasburghometowndays@gmail.com; FACEBOOK: Strasburg Hometown Days

    for more INFORMATION http://www.strasburgparks.org/htd/



  • 05/16/2023 2:33 PM | Anonymous

    The I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce hosted three Colorado Ballet directors at its April 19 meeting at May Farms in Byers. The organization’s two top officials, Executive Director Sameed Afghani and Artistic Director Gil Boggs, along with Director of Education and Community Engagement Emily Herrin, spoke about the history of the organization, its current operations, and its education and community outreach offerings. The program was facilitated by Chamber member Hally Albers, who is the Colorado Ballet’s Production Stage Manager.

    Afghani, who took over the executive director position last February, was previously the vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 

    “The Colorado Ballet was an organization that I wanted to be a part of, along with our artistic director and our board, to expand the way that we serve the greater Colorado region with our incredible art form and also through education and community engagement,” he said.

    Herrin said her department’s mission is encapsulated in three words: Every. Body. Dance. 

    “We want to make dance accessible to everyone and inclusive of all — aiming to bring diverse communities together to overcome real and perceived barriers,” she said. “We promote a healthy lifestyle that incorporates movement, and we encourage creativity and expression through dance and hope to foster an appreciation of ballet.”

    Educational programming includes student matinees, where the day before a production’s premiere, students attend the final dress rehearsal at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. 

    “For a heavily discounted price, student groups are invited to experience ballet firsthand, complete with full costumes, makeup, sets, lighting and sound,” Herrin said, adding that students come from all over the state. “This season we had almost 8,000 students and educators attend our student matinee programming and, thanks to the connection facilitated by Hally Albers, that included 20 students and five adults from Agate School, who came and saw Cinderella.” 

    Byers School has also taken advantage of the student matinee program. 

    In another program, assemblies are offered at school sites. The 45- to 60-minute assembly called “From the Page to the Stage” features professional dancers performing excerpts from ballets based on folk tales and literary classics while moving through the history of ballet. Selected audience members are invited to join the company on the stage.

    Agate School broadened its student participation in Colorado Ballet programs, hosting an assembly last March. Ten members of the company performed.

     “After the assembly, something really special happened — the upperclassmen students dove in with our tech team, helping and learning how to roll up our (portable) floor and loading equipment on the truck,” Herrin said. “It was heartwarming to see their interest in the performing arts extend beyond what they saw on stage. 

    “I’m used to seeing students get excited to talk to the dancers, but this was one of the first times I saw students just as excited to talk to the crew behind the scenes. The enthusiasm was unparalleled.” 

    Assemblies and workshops are also offered in community spaces including libraries and are performed before all ages — from preschoolers to older adults. Inclusivity programs are offered for people with disabilities. 

    The Colorado Ballet’s acclaimed artistic director rounded out the Chamber program with inside information on the production side of the organization. 

    “I’m responsible for everything you see when you come to a performance — the 1dances, the music, the sets — the entire production,” Boggs said.

    Boggs joined the Colorado Ballet in 2006. He started his career as a professional dancer with the Atlanta Ballet. He joined the American Ballet Theater in New York City in 1982, became a soloist in 1984, and a principal dancer in 1991. 

    “I was hired there 41 years ago today,” he said. “That set me on a career path I was very fortunate to have. I got to see the world.”

    Boggs danced alongside Mikhail Baryshnikov and worked with noted choreographers including Agnes de Mille. When he retired in 1999, he turned to his second passion, golf, becoming a manager at a golf academy. 

    Boggs said that every January, he looks at as many as 600 applications for the four or five positions that are open that year. 

    “It is very competitive,” he said. “We have a company of 35 dancers and a second company of 22.”

    Boggs said that, while he looks for technique in an applicant, “First and foremost I look for confidence.”

    Each company has principal dancers, soloist dancers, and a corps de ballet that makes up the bulk of the roster. Child dancers are chosen from the Colorado Ballet Academy. 

    “We have around 700 kids go through the academy each year. They audition for whatever production needs children — there are 110 in ‘The Nutcracker.’ It’s a great proving ground for them.” 

    A dancer’s career, barring injury, can continue until they are between 39 and 41 years.

    “One of the company retired at 44,” he said. “He had been with the organization for 22 years. I’ve retired many dancers who have been there over 20 years.” 

    Boggs assembles the lineup of productions to be presented each season.

    “I look for a variety that will interest everyone from adults to children,” he said, adding that the March ballet is especially geared toward a young audience. 

    Next season the Colorado Ballet will present “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Jekyl and Hyde,” “Coppélia,” and “Ballet MasterWorks.”

    Visit coloradoballet.org for more information and online sign-ups for programs.


  • 05/03/2023 3:33 PM | Anonymous

    The I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce held their first membership appreciation dinner since the pandemic on Saturday April 22 at May Farms in Byers.

    The theme was “Death of a Gangster” and provided an evening of entertainment from players of the Murder Mystery Company of Denver who provide an immersive theater experience.

    Before the event, The Chamber honored two members of the year, May Farms and The I-70 Scout, for their support and cooperation throughout the year providing the chamber with a convenient place for events and media exposure throughout the Corridor in the I-70 Scout, and Eastern Colorado News. 

    There were about 80 attendees representing the towns from Bennett to Deer Trail, who engaged in searching for clues to solve the murder. By the end of the evening the murder was solved, and the culprit, Getta Dunn, was cuffed and led away. 


  • 01/27/2023 11:42 AM | Anonymous

    Call for Vendors!  Join us this year for Summer on the Farm sponsored by May Farms the I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce. 

    This event is free for the public to attend, with a small vendor fee for booths.  Past events included local vendors of all kinds, artists, alpacas, miniature horses, cotton candy, kettle corn, ice cream, lemonade, children's crafts and activities and a bouncy house!

    May Farms offers a BBQ lunch for a set fee, usually a choice of cheeseburger or hamburger, A free BBQ lunch has been traditionally offered to the first 100 attendees, and a small charge for the rest.

    We haven't determined the booth cost as of yet.  Food vendors are welcome and must be pre-approved by May Farms and the Chamber,  For food vendors, picnic tables are provided by May Farms and located at the Sunflower Pavilion as well as picnicking on the grass for an option. 

    A Pie Baking competition is held for the best tasting, best looking and who knows what other possible other categories! The judges are usually local law enforcement and first responders. 

    If you are interesting in participating in this event, please send email to 

    summeronthefarm2023@gmail.com

  • 01/27/2023 11:40 AM | Anonymous

    The I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as voted in last November, 2022. 


  • 01/06/2023 4:36 PM | Anonymous

    With the blossoming growth of our communities we know how difficult it is for newbies to find local businesses.  Wouldn't it be wonderful for realtor members and our local town offices to provide a welcome packet, with information about businesses in the community that are chamber members. 

    These will be available at the end of January, and if you are a current member and would like to be included, please let us know via email, or join us at our member lunch and learn on Jan. 18th. 

    More to come!!

  • 01/01/2023 3:02 PM | Anonymous


  • 04/26/2022 2:53 PM | Anonymous

    WHAT IS A CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING?


    A ribbon cutting is the ceremonial opening of a brand-new, newly renovated, or relocated business. It can inaugurate a business’s first day of business or it can take place weeks after the business’s soft opening. Your I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce is happy to assist with this event.  The Chamber also considers ribbon cutting requests for renovation/expansion and anniversary celebrations. We provide these services absolutely free to Chamber members.

    Yes, you actually cut a ribbon. The most common location is the main entrance of the building, but it can also be stretched across another important location within the business, especially during inclement weather.

    WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HOLDING A CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING?


    Because the ribbon cutting marks a very significant moment in the business’s history, this is also a great photo opportunity. Each business chooses the group of people they want assembled for their photos. Furthermore, the ribbon cutting ceremony gives the business owner or manager a chance to say a few words to those gathered. We do all we can to take pictures for you. 

    Business owners have used this time to publicly thank their financial backers, their employees, their friends and family, and/or their business partners. They also take the opportunity to talk about what their business does. You must be a new or current Chamber member in good standing for the I-70 Corridor Chamber to endorse and help coordinate your ribbon cutting.

    WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER DO FOR MY RIBBON CUTTING?

    The I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce will gladly invite our Chamber Board of Directors and local government officials to attend,  and promote your event through our online calendar, website and Facebook page.  We will arrive at your location with ribbon and official ribbon-cutting scissors, welcome attendees and introduce you at your ribbon cutting, and take photos and share them with you and to local media representatives following the event.

    THINGS TO CONSIDER


    WHO will cut the ribbon? The owners or top executives most frequently do the honors, but each business is different and can pick whomever they like.

    WHEN will you hold your event? We find that Tuesday – Thursday, mid-day over the lunch hour, late afternoon or early evenings draw the largest crowds. Check with us for scheduling if it's a weekend or holiday. Those days are harder to schedule and to get people to attend.

    WHAT you wish to share when you speak just after the ribbon is cut. You can thank those who helped along the process, how you came about owning or updating or moving, and share any specials or upcoming events. Your speech should be limited your speech to no more than 3 minutes.

    HOW you can maximize this program. Consider sending a special invitation to your clients, offering a drawing or raffle to collect business cards to build your database.

    The typical ribbon cutting event will last only 15-30 minutes. Refreshments, drinks, door prizes, and decorations are optional and up to you. Keep in mind, however, that ribbon cuttings are typically short and sweet.

    If you or someone you know would like to schedule a ribbon cutting with the I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce please reach out to us at officei70ccoc@gmail.com or call  720-731-1954

    • Chamber Ribbon Cuttings must be scheduled at least one month in advance.
    • Requests will be taken on a first-come basis and we request this completed form.
    • The Chamber can only host one ribbon cutting per week.



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ABOUT ASSOCIATION

The I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce has assisted growth and successful economic development of Eastern Colorado in Watkins, Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail and Agate since 1993.

CONTACTS

officei70ccoc@gmail.com 

720.731.1954     

Address: PO Box 386, Strasburg, CO 80136

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