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CARBONDALE, Colorado — The Thompson Divide Coalition is turning to the western tradition of rodeo to raise funds for its grassroots effort to prevent or limit natural gas development in the area west of Carbondale.
For the July 1 Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, the TDC will be selling the coveted arena-side trailer spaces at the Gus Darien Riding Arena for $1,000 a pop. The fee will include a front-row seat for that night's rodeo, entry for 10 people and 10 hamburger dinners.
A total of 22 spaces are available, and as of Friday 12 had been spoken for, said Laurie Stevens, assistant to the TDC Board of Directors.
“We can even arrange to set up a trailer for someone who wants the space but doesn't have a trailer themselves,” she said.
The coalition was forced to downsize earlier this spring when it ran into a cash flow problem, and had to do away with its full-time campaign director's position. The former director, Lisa Moreno, left the organization in early May and has since left the area to pursue other interests.
Since then, the coalition has been raising funds in an effort to take advantage of a $75,000 matching grant, said TDC board member Judy Fox-Perry.
“We have received some significant donations, as well as some smaller donations,” she said, adding the organization has raised about $40,000 so far. The group hopes to raise another $22,000 with the rodeo fundraiser.
A July 23 street dance fundraiser in Carbondale is also being planned.
Without a campaign director, the efforts of the TDC have been taken on by the volunteer board members, Fox-Perry said.
“The board immediately stepped up, and we've been working non-stop for the last two months to get to where we are today,” she said at a Friday workshop with several government officials and other stakeholders.
The matching grant challenge will continue through July. Individual donations to the TDC can be made on the group's website, www.savethompsondivide.org.
jstroud@postindependent.com
For the July 1 Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, the TDC will be selling the coveted arena-side trailer spaces at the Gus Darien Riding Arena for $1,000 a pop. The fee will include a front-row seat for that night's rodeo, entry for 10 people and 10 hamburger dinners.
A total of 22 spaces are available, and as of Friday 12 had been spoken for, said Laurie Stevens, assistant to the TDC Board of Directors.
“We can even arrange to set up a trailer for someone who wants the space but doesn't have a trailer themselves,” she said.
The coalition was forced to downsize earlier this spring when it ran into a cash flow problem, and had to do away with its full-time campaign director's position. The former director, Lisa Moreno, left the organization in early May and has since left the area to pursue other interests.
Since then, the coalition has been raising funds in an effort to take advantage of a $75,000 matching grant, said TDC board member Judy Fox-Perry.
“We have received some significant donations, as well as some smaller donations,” she said, adding the organization has raised about $40,000 so far. The group hopes to raise another $22,000 with the rodeo fundraiser.
A July 23 street dance fundraiser in Carbondale is also being planned.
Without a campaign director, the efforts of the TDC have been taken on by the volunteer board members, Fox-Perry said.
“The board immediately stepped up, and we've been working non-stop for the last two months to get to where we are today,” she said at a Friday workshop with several government officials and other stakeholders.
The matching grant challenge will continue through July. Individual donations to the TDC can be made on the group's website, www.savethompsondivide.org.
jstroud@postindependent.com
