Background Statement
In July 1976, Leadership Pikes Peak was formed as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization under its original name, Citizens' Goals for the Colorado Springs Community. The organization was founded through the efforts of the Junior League of Colorado Springs (Rita Walker and Harriet Abrahm). These early organizers enlisted the help of six prominent Colorado Springs leaders to help them raise funds and get the organization off and running. They included: General "Rocky" Crawford, Gilbert Johnson, Dusty Loo, Eugene McCleary, Russell Tutt and Barbara Yalich.
That year, a four-day retreat in Keystone was organized and attended by 80 Colorado Springs citizens representing a wide variety of the community along with 20 volunteer coordinators and recorders. They discussed issues, challenges and the future of Colorado Springs. The concept was to get people involved in positive action for the community. 131 goals (some large and some small) were identified and then discussed and refined at neighborhood meetings following the retreat. Some goals were tackled by small informal groups, others took a more organized approach and efforts lasted over several years.
Early goals yielding success included: implementation of a 911 system, organization of Ridefinders, voter approval for the construction of the Pikes Peak Center, expansion of Pikes Peak Library services, city commitment to the acquisition of the parks and open space, and formation of a community celebration called SpringSpree. Not every goal became reality. One example would be a goal calling for a consolidated City and County government.
In the fall of 1979 the organization launched its community leadership development program under its original name "Leadership 80's". The first class of 25 individuals selected for the 10-month program, graduated in 1980. The Leadership 80's program was organized by a volunteer steering committee with leadership development and wide community backgrounds.
By the Fall of 1980 it was estimated that 70% of the original goals had been completed or were well under way. The organization then produced and aired an hour-long film "Speak Out Colorado Springs" and conducted a community survey prior to holding its second Keystone retreat to focus on goals for the 1980s. Twenty-two new objectives were identified at this retreat.
During the 1980's the organization continued to train community leaders and organize around community goals. Project 2000 under the leadership of Phil Kendall identified and later spun off as separate nonprofit organizations: the Clean Air Campaign and the Partnership for Community Design, which was originally chaired by Nolan Schriner and Mary Lou Makepeace. Other topics tackled included: a city/county efficiency study, drug and alcohol abuse, the need for low-income housing, and management of growth in the Pikes Peak region.
In 1990 with help from an El Pomar grant the organization again convened the community for a community vision and goal-setting process called the CommUnity Congress. Teams representing a diverse group of citizens were formed into Action Research Teams (ARTeams) around identified community goals and issues. Colorado Springs Assets for Youth organization and Team Up to Clean Up, which was merged into Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, stemmed from this process. During the early 90's the organization experimented with a 70-person Board of Trustees representational of the community, an idea stemming from the National Civic League. Also at this time the organization re-named its community leadership program "Leadership 2000" which continued to draw current and future leaders.
In 1999 the organization formally changed its name from Citizens' Goals to Leadership Pikes Peak. At that time the community had other planning and goal setting procedures in place and the organization made the strategic decision to increase its focus on the building of vital and diverse community leaders.
Entering the twenty-first century the organization's focus centered on upgrading the Signature community leadership program and adding new education opportunities for alumni. The Signature course began utilizing "The Leaders Challenge" by Kouzes and Pozner to bring additional focus to the philosophy and practice of leadership development. The organization began offering a new program, Experience the Springs, a day and a half community snap shot as an orientation to civic engagement.
In 2003 Leadership Pikes Peak launched the Women's Community Leadership Initiative. This leadership development program targeting low-income women, was developed in partnership with Partners in Housing and became the first program of its kind in Colorado. It exemplifies the Leadership Pikes Peak philosophy that leadership is needed at all levels of our community. The program, which is free to its participants, already has proven to be a stair-step program, as participants have become engaged volunteers, and now sit on community boards.
Also in 2003, a research design project was initiated by Kae Rader with assistance from the CorVirtus Company which would bring quantitative tools to the measurement of program impact, enabling the organization to have state-of-the-art tools for program evaluation and continuous program refinement. In 2008 Kae Rader and Susan Saksa presented the work of this research study and its impact on the Leadership Pikes Peak Signature Program at the National Community Leadership Association conference.
In 2008 Leadership Pikes Peak Lauched Leadership NOW! This program focuses on young professionals, age 22- 32, who are seeking leadership skill development and opportunities to learn and engage in our community. The impetus for this niche program came from community conversations about engaging and keeping young talent here in the Pikes Peak region.
The role of class projects (utilized in all three major programs) has evolved over the years. Projects now serve as both a learning laboratory for leadership skill development, and an important contribution to community agencies.
In 2007-2010 Leadership Pikes Peak entered into several strategic partnerships including the Quality of Life Indicators, Dream City Vision 2020, and Colorado's future. Involvement offers opportunities to engage the Leadership program alumni which now numbers over 1000 and the community and brings the organization full circle to some of its original community engagement roots.
In 2012 Leadership Pikes Peak is proud to kick off a new generation of community leaders through a new program called "Leading Edge" for high school juniors and seniors from schools around the region.