There wasn’t a dry eye in the Devereux Room at the Hotel Colorado on Saturday night when Sumner Schachter was named the 2024 Dean Vogelaar Citizen of the Year during the 2025 Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association’s Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony.

Sumner Schachter, a five-decade long Roaring Fork Valley citizen, had his own difficulty keeping his eyes clear when he spotted his grandchildren in the audience. 

“I want to tip my hat to everyone in this room,” he started. “Everyone in this room is worthy of an award. We have councilmen, mayors, citizens alliance… Oh my gosh, even my grandchildren!” 

Schachter joins a list of more than 50 previous Glenwood residents that were honored for their outstanding commitment to upholding the community within the Roaring Fork Valley. 

Digging school districts out of financial holes and helping with the “Yes for Workforce Housing” committee, which approved funding for workforce housing in the City of Glenwood Springs, are two of countless examples of things Schachter has done to improve the community throughout his tenure as a Glenwood Springs resident — something he sees as a basic human act. 

“We all walk together,” Schachter said. “We all do whatever we can for the place that we love. We don’t expect to be here, it’s just part of our being, following the path we think is right. Being honored by all of you is incredible.”

From school boards to zoning and affordable housing committees, Schachter has always shown unwavering dedication to improving the community throughout his 50-plus year residency in the valley. 

“Compassionate, kind, and ready to listen, Sumner is simply a good human;” one of his nomination letters reads. “He goes the extra mile in everything he dedicates his energies to. While he now serves as an invaluable asset to the community as an elected city councilor, Sumner was also integral in volunteering or forming organizations in our community including Imagine Glenwood, RFSD board member, Glenwood Springs Planning & Zoning Commission and the Ad Hoc Housing Commission”

The annual gala and awards show is organized by the Glenwood Springs Chamber as a way to honor and appreciate those who dedicate their lives to the community. 

The award is named in honor of the late Dean Vogelaar, who served as Glenwood Springs Chamber Manager in the ’60s and ’70s. Generations of Glenwood children learned the name Vogelaar from countless hours playing on the grass named after him, but to the Glenwood Springs Chamber, the name means more. 

The name has been used as a symbol of upstanding citizenship, and bestowed upon those who have positively impacted the community the greatest throughout a calendar year. 

“Shannon Pelland said it best. Sumner has always been the voice of calm and reason and assurance that we would go forward and get through whatever we needed to get through,” Glenwood Springs legend and 2022 Citizen of the Year co-recipient Mike Wilde said.

Citizen of the Year was one of many awards handed out on Saturday night. Possibly an even bigger honor is receiving the Athena Award. The Athena Award and Athena Young Professional Awards are given out to honor the most exemplary women throughout the community. 

Robin Tolan received the Athena Award and Yesenia Silva Estrada was honored with the Athena Young Professional Award.

The Athena Awards are named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, craft, and skill, and is used as a platform to prove that women are not only vital, but indispensable to a strong and healthy community.

“Athenas are the ones who find time to lift each other up, illuminate paths to safety, offer wisdom to guide others forward, and extend a shoulder to lean on during times of doubt or hardship. Our community is fortunate to have such women,” Tolan’s nomination letter reads. 

Tolan has been worthy of the Athena Award since moving to the valley. She has made her mark from Rifle to Aspen, helping the youth gain access to economic education. She was on the YouthZone board, helping bring attention and non-profits to the valley. She guided conversations about affordable housing, and was responsible for getting grants for Habitat for Humanity. 

Silva Estrada was raised in the Roaring Fork Valley and is a Colorado Mountain College alumni. Throughout her life, Estrada has shown an undying commitment to proving that the latina community has just as much to contribute than anyone else. 

“Her passion lay in education, leadership, and creating systemic change,” one of her nomination letters reads. “She dedicated herself to transforming education to workforce pathways, advocating for equity, and expanding opportunities for student and immigrant communities.”

The dedicated single mother to two boys is the Vice President of Planning and Chief of Staff at CMC. Because of her background rooted in perseverance, Estrada is committed to giving every student — no matter the background — equal opportunity to succeed.