Yampa Valley Community Foundation has announced the 2025 Philanthropists of the Year.

• Pete and Gretchen Van De Carr are honored with the Legacy of Philanthropy Award
• Keith and Sandy Miller are the Individual Philanthropists of the Year
• Dusky Grouse Coffee and Stephany Traylor are honored with the Business Philanthropist of the Year
• Lyla Baker is the Youth Philanthropist of the Year

 

Press Release from Yampa Valley Community Foundation; August 6, 2025

 

YAMPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2025 PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE YEAR

(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO, August 5, 2025) – The Philanthropist of the Year Award was established in 1998 at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation (YVCF) to heighten the visibility of giving in the Yampa Valley. The award honors individuals, businesses, and youth who have exhibited significant charitable giving, insightful leadership and volunteerism, and who encourage others to contribute by example. YVCF is pleased to announce the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year awardees.

 

Pete and Gretchen Van De Carr are being recognized with the Legacy of Philanthropy Award for their decades of unwavering dedication to the people and places of the Yampa Valley.

Their shared commitment to giving back has been woven into every aspect of their lives.

Pete exemplified this by going out of his way time and again to help others experience the beauty of nature, whether on the river, trail, or slopes. Known as the “Lorax of the Yampa,” he was the founding president of Friends of the Yampa and was serving on that board as well as the Yampa River Fund board when he passed away in February 2025. His legacy includes countless river cleanups, leadership in drafting the Yampa River Management Plan, and a lifelong commitment to protecting the waterways he loved so deeply.

Gretchen’s philanthropy has long centered on youth development and community capacity-building. Best known for her for her 30-year tenure as the founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, she also played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s nonprofit landscape, including serving on the founding boards of other youth-serving organizations including Partners in Youth and the Routt County Youth Services Council. Gretchen states, “The heart of this community is in the symbiotic relationships between individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, and visitors alike. We are all honored to share what we can to keep that spirit alive.”

 

Keith and Sandy Miller, Individual Philanthropists of the Year, have served the Yampa Valley for decades, with behind-the-scenes leadership and quiet generosity.

When Colorado CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) required all Judicial Districts to form their own 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Sandy stepped up, founding and helping to grow a local chapter; she was instrumental in launching CASA’s signature fundraiser, Dancing with the Stars. She also volunteers with Yampatika, serves on the board of Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, and is an active member of YVCF’s Community Grants Committee.

Keith is completing his eighth and final year on the board of the Routt County Humane Society, where he served as both treasurer and president, helping restructure the organization, introduce financial controls, obtain cost efficiencies and reorganizing management. Keith also volunteers with Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue traveling frequently to serve as an evaluator for both surrenders and adoptions.

The Millers exemplify and encourage volunteerism, stating: “There are so many nonprofits here, and each one is doing meaningful work. That means there are endless opportunities for people to get involved. The need for good board members and volunteers is constant.”

 

The Business Philanthropist of the Year award goes to Dusky Grouse Coffee and owner Stephany Traylor.

Dusky Grouse Coffee supports an astounding number of nonprofits and is recognized as a safe space for all.

As a certified Recovery Friendly Workplace, Dusky Grouse hosts recovery events for The Health Partnership, as well as CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness) support groups and monthly coffee gatherings for Yampa Valley Pride and Queer Futures. Dusky Grouse provides free coffee for many nonprofit organization events, and Stephany started Steamboat Little Givers, a youth-led initiative that encourages children to fundraise and give back.

Dusky Grouse’s impact is far-reaching, but Stephany is most proud of being able to create a safe space for so many people. “When you give, you show that you care and it opens up doors (literally and figuratively) for those who may live with fear, uncertainty, anxiety.” We are pleased to recognize Dusky Grouse Coffee and thank them for acting as a central hub for warmth, community, and connection.

 

Lyla Baker is this year’s Youth Philanthropist of the Year. For Lyla, giving back to the Yampa Valley isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life – and she’s just getting started.

Her passion for helping others and her love for learning was her inspiration for starting the Study Friends Club which helps Emerging Bilingual students access free tutoring services. “I’ve seen how limited access to education can affect a student’s future. I wanted to change that. I want to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or language barriers, can experience the same love of learning that I hold dear.”

Lyla also served as a board member for the Youth Roots initiative, a program of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, where she and her peers raised over $13,000 for youth mental health organizations. In a valley known for its beauty and spirit, this young leader is a shining example of how one person, armed with passion and purpose, can uplift a whole community—one student at a time.

 

To read more about these philanthropists and others recognized since the award’s inception, go to yvcf.org/philanthropist-of-the-year/ This year’s awardees will be acknowledged at YVCF’s Celebration of Philanthropy later this month. ###

The Yampa Valley Community Foundation believes in a thriving and connected Yampa Valley where there are opportunities and resources for all. We lead transformational change throughout the Yampa Valley by engaging donors in purposeful philanthropy, empowering local nonprofit organizations, inspiring impactful grantmaking, and collaborating to build vibrant communities. Learn more at www.yvcf.org.