Founded over a decade ago to provide services in the Roaring Fork Valley community, the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF) hosts educational forums, parties and special events such as Aspen Gay Ski Week. The efforts of this volunteer group of men and women have allowed the RFGLCF to become a philanthropic gay and lesbian community, providing tens of thousands of dollars to schools and various charities of gay and lesbian interest over the years. As the events grew, it became more and more difficult to support them solely through volunteer efforts.

In 1996, a new 501(c)3 organization, the Aspen Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (AGLCF) was born, with one full-time staff member and a Board of Directors to help maximize the profit for charity while still maintaining Gay Ski Week as a grassroots event. An additional event, SummerFest, was also added, to encourage fans of Aspen to experience the beauty and action of summer in the Roaring Fork Valley: hiking, biking, white water rafting, horseback riding, fishing and fun!  While SummerFest was discontinued in the first few years of this decade so that we could fully devote all of our efforts toward the main event, Gay Ski Week, there is no shortage of gay & lesbian visitors that come to Aspen during the summer months!

Two years ago, we decided to change the name of the organization to better reflect the growing gay population of the Roaring Fork Valley.  Dorothy, I don’t think we’re just in Aspen anymore! While the RFGLCF is best known for producing Aspen Gay Ski Week, it also provides critical services to support the development of a strong local gay and lesbian community. The RFGLCF maintains a resource center for members of the local gay and lesbian community, sponsors educational forums, and encourages participation in local activities and events. We started a program in the schools entitled SPIR&T: Students Promoting Individuality Respect & Tolerance. The organization also hosts bi-monthly potlucks at locals' homes and regular social gatherings at local bars and restaurants, in addition to summer hiking and winter ski days.

Our office acts as a drop-in facility for visitors and a local meeting place for event planning and community meetings. We serve as a resource for questions about the Aspen area, field referrals for incidents of discrimination, hate crimes, or other concerns, and work to encourage Aspen's reputation as a prominent gay and lesbian resort destination. The RFGLCF's renewed commitment to charitable endeavors finds us expanding the services and fundraising we do on a year-round basis. If you would like to join us in our efforts or if you have questions regarding the RFGLCF, its mission or its events, please contact us at (970) 925.4123 or send an e-mail to: aspengay@rof.net