Central Mountain Entrepreneurs

09/01/2026

This month’s Ascent Alumni Spotlight features Coleman Smith and Robin Vega, founders of Camp Coletrain Inc., and the work they’re doing to expand access to meaningful music education in rural communities.

What began in Buena Vista has grown into a nonprofit bringing students, professional musicians, educators, festivals, and community partners together through immersive camps, scholarships, workshops, and Pop-Up programs.

Now, a new partnership with the John Hartford Foundation is helping Camp Coletrain build on that momentum and create even more opportunities for people to learn, play, and make music together.

The story also recently caught the attention of The Colorado Sun. Arts & Culture reporter Parker Yamasaki came to Buena Vista and spent time at Camp Coletrain, talking with students, educators, Coleman, and John Hartford’s daughter Katie Harford Hogue about the camp, the new partnership, and the role music education can play in rural communities. The resulting feature offers a wonderful look inside what’s happening right here in Chaffee County.

Read the full Ascent Alumni Spotlight in this month’s EDC Monthly Momentum newsletter, and check out The Colorado Sun’s feature, “John Hartford was a bluegrass legend. This Buena Vista camp will carry on his legacy.”

Here --> https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/20/buena-vista-camp-coletrain-john-hartford-foundation-partnership/

John Hartford - Official Site
Photos By: Amanda Podesta Photography & Yonder Mountain String Band

08/21/2026

Thinking about the future of your business? Employee ownership might be part of the answer.

Meet one of our featured panelists, Libby Lukens, Employee Ownership Program Manager with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Libby works with Colorado businesses exploring employee ownership and helps connect them with education, resources, tax incentives, and support.

Join Libby and our panel for a practical, employer-focused conversation about what employee ownership can look like for your business, from ESOPs and worker cooperatives to other equity-based models.

📅 Wednesday, September 23
⏰ 9-11 AM
📍 Buena Vista Public Library
🎟️ FREE to attend

Whether you’re thinking about succession, employee retention, or the long-term resilience of your business, come learn about the options and hear real-world perspectives.

Space is limited. Register for free --> https://heyor.ca/d5wTsO

08/20/2026

It’s the 3rd Thursday of August which means it’s time for Chaffee_Remote at The Beach Colorado! ☀️

We’ve loved spending our summer meetups riverside, and tonight is our final Summer Series gathering at The Beach. Come help us thank our amazing hosts and give a warm welcome to our new Group Leader!

📍 The Beach ~ 24070 Co Rd 301, Buena Vista, CO 81211
⏰ Today at 5:30 PM

Come raise a glass to these lingering summer evenings, new beginnings, and this awesome community.
See you tonight!

07/31/2026

In case you missed it! Salida Sunshine Botanicals to officially opens their new storefront today, July 31st at 207 F St. downtown Salida!

https://www.themountainmail.com/news/salida-sunshine-botanicals-to-open-july-31/article_73e73081-09b5-4442-bfe1-4c394d2c4d00.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawTVoshleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFaSEFPQnE1V1M3ckRxblRJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo8-7oICO37RoQBdK6r1Bv_bNVpGtCV3eAlAcUXkuO2RuXNRmmE5gcxAtOu1_aem_n-QBJaFVn8FnWTmrwPq_lA

For people sensitive to the dry, windy climate of Colorado, Salida Sunshine Botanicals might be what their skin needs to “balance out,” according to owner Gena Shepherd. Salida Sunshine Botanicals

07/30/2026

📣 Save the Date!

Curious about employee ownership? Join the Chaffee County EDC and the Central Mountain SBDC for an engaging discussion designed for employers exploring employee ownership as a business model.

Hear from experts and business leaders as they share practical insights, real-world examples, and strategies to help you understand how employee ownership can support business continuity, strengthen workforce engagement, and build long-term resilience.

Why attend?
• Explore employee ownership models, including ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and equity-based plans.
• Learn why businesses choose employee ownership.
• Gain insight into transitions, financing, and timing.
• Hear firsthand from employee-owned businesses.

🗓 Wednesday, September 23
🕘 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Buena Vista Public Library

Space is limited! Register today here: https://heyor.ca/d5wTsO

07/28/2026

🌿 Congratulations to 2026 Ascent Accelerator alum Gena Shepherd on the grand opening of Salida Sunshine Botanicals! 🎉

After building Salida Sunshine Market into a beloved downtown business for more than 20 years, Gena has continued growing her handcrafted botanical skincare line - and now she's opening a new storefront at 207 F Street in downtown Salida and we could not be more excited. The grand opening is this Friday, July 31st so we hope you'll join us!

We're so grateful we had the opportunity to work with Gena through the Ascent Accelerator and learn more about the incredible brand she's built over the years. While this success is entirely her own, we're honored to have played a small role in supporting this next exciting chapter of her entrepreneurial journey.

If you're in Salida, stop by, say hello, and support another outstanding local business!

Congratulations, Gena! 👏

Learn more and follow along here --> Salida Sunshine Apothecary | salidasunshine.com

Photo Credit: Lijah Sampson via The Mountain Mail

07/21/2026

🌸 What if your next floral arrangement helped build a local farm?

That's the idea behind Cherokee Bloom's Founding Memberships.

Rather than simply purchasing six seasonal floral arrangements, Founding Members are investing in the future of a regenerative flower farm right here in Chaffee County. Your membership helps establish the growing systems behind the flowers - from healthy soils and farm infrastructure to resilient perennial plantings - while receiving six premium floral deliveries throughout the season.

As a 2026 Ascent Accelerator alum, Cherokee Bloom is proving that agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community can grow together.

Only 10 Founding Memberships are available for the July–October season, with one already spoken for.
If your business values supporting local entrepreneurs, regenerative agriculture, and creating beautiful spaces for your customers and team, this is an opportunity to become part of Cherokee Bloom's founding story.

Learn more by connecting with .

07/13/2026

Chaffee Remote Happy Hour: Summer Series @ The Beach | Thursday, July 16 · 5:30–7 PM

Just when you thought Chaffee_Remote meetups couldn't get any better... enter a new music festival! 🎉🎶

For our July 16th meetup this week we're teaming up with EDC Ascent alum Coletrain Music Academy and our meetup host The Beach Colorado for their brand-new music festival, Rhythms On The River!

Rhythms On The River is a one-day music festival taking place at The Beach on Thursday, July 16th, featuring Crying Uncle, David Lawrence and the Spoonful, Roma Ransom, The Ark Valley String Ensemble, and more. Coleman Smith - founder of Coletrain Music Academy and fiddle player for Yonder Mountain String Band - will serve as the Artist-at-Large, making special guest appearances throughout the day.

There will also be an awesome Shakedown Street Vendor Market from 4pm to 8pm where you can browse handmade goods and festival treasures.

Chaffee_Remote members will get 50% off General Admission tickets - check your email for your promo code!

Learn more and get tickets here: rhythmsontheriver.co

07/11/2026

Colorado business owners: Looking to grow your business?🚀

Join us for a Brunch & Learn with OEDIT to explore funding opportunities, including grants, tax credits, export assistance, and other state resources available to Colorado businesses.

Monday, July 20
10:00–11:00 AM
SteamPlant Annex

☕ Refreshments provided. Seating is limited. Register --> https://heyor.ca/SyVG3Z