vailsymposium

On Wednesday, Dec. 28, the Vail Symposium hosted a very special fundraiser with Governor John Hickenlooper as guest of honor and speaker. Guests arrived at the stunning Beaver Creek home of Pam and Richard Bard where they were treated to the elegant sounds of Tony Gulizia on piano and Bob Rebholz on sax. The duo bid the audience farewell with the timeless classic, “What a Wonderful World.”

Richard Bard then introduced his long-time friend, Governor Hickenlooper. Despite two terms in office, many in the audience were hearing details of Governor Hickenlooper’s life and tenure in office for the first time. His mother was widowed and she raised Hickenlooper and his three siblings on her own. Trained as a geologist, Hickenlooper, along with many others in the oil and gas industry, was laid off not long after arriving in Colorado. He would go on to open a successful brewpub, pool hall and develop urban housing.

First as Mayor of Denver, and later as Governor of Colorado, Hickenlooper developed a well-deserved reputation for moderate, centrist policies that balanced the needs of business while mindful of the environment. Following his remarks, the outgoing governor answered scores of questions from the engaged audience.