Moffat and Routt Counties are geographically close, but face different economic and social challenges.
Routt County, home to the tourist destination Steamboat Springs, has a higher average household income, but also faces high living costs. Moffat County, which has historically been economically reliant on coal mining, faces challenges associated with the decline of this industry.
An interesting economic dynamic exists between the two counties. According to the Routt County Economic Development Partnership, nearly 4,000 Moffat County residents commute over 120 miles daily to work in Routt County’s service economy. This significant commuter population highlights the interconnectedness of the two counties’ economies and the employment opportunities available in Routt County.
The Power of Togetherness
Though each county faces unique challenges, the communities in this region of Northwest Colorado pride themselves on showing up for one another and making sure their neighbors are taken care of.
This support that is often particularly prevalent in small, rural communities, played a big role in the choice for the Moffat County United Way and Routt County United Way to merge in 2023 and become the United Way of the Yampa Valley. The organization serves families and individuals living in Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Counties, with a focus on addressing some of the region’s most pressing issues: financial instability, poverty, and access to basic resources.
Kate Nowak, who recently retired as the executive director of United Way Yampa Valley, has worked in both Routt and Moffat County in various capacities over her career. For her, the merger felt like a clear choice.
“We had been working together for a long time, doing combined presentations and marketing,” said Nowak. “When they [Moffat County United Way] approached us in early 2023, it just made sense. We were able to cut overhead, combine our administrative efforts, and focus more on the programs that help our communities.”
Strengthening Community Support
By merging, the United Way of the Yampa Valley ensured that a dedicated impact manager could be stationed full-time in Moffat County, working to address local needs while receiving administrative support from the main office in Routt County. “The merger not only allowed us to pool our resources, but also to strengthen Moffat County’s support structure, which had been stretched thin,” Nowak noted.
With community and internal organizational support, including a Community Connections grant from the Boettcher Foundation, a bright vision for the future, and strong leadership, the United Way merger was able to happen relatively smoothly and on schedule.
However, with any large and important project such as this, there are inevitably going to be complex challenges to navigate. Jennifer Bruen, who stepped into the role of interim executive director after Nowak’s retirement, mentioned some of the challenges associated with this endeavor. “We moved twice, dealt with insurance and IRS paperwork, and had to integrate IT systems,” said Bruen. “It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to give us the freedom and flexibility to have a bigger community impact.”
Scaling Impact Through Financial Literacy
Despite these administrative challenges, this freedom and flexibility that Bruen cited has allowed the United Way of Yampa Valley to scale impact. One example is through their financial literacy program, which offers budgeting, credit-building, and home-buying courses to help residents of all three counties improve their financial stability, especially given the challenges that post-pandemic prices and coal mine closures have presented in the community.
The 2022 Yampa Valley Community Health Needs Assessment revealed that over 2,800 family households in the Yampa Valley live below 185% of the federal poverty level, with 13% of residents living in poverty.
“We’re already seeing these classes fill up,” Bruen shared. “We provide free childcare and meals during the sessions, which allows working parents to attend and get the tools they need to stretch their dollars further.
Commitment to Vulnerable Populations
United Way’s mission has always been about lifting up the most vulnerable members of the community, and this merger allows for an even greater focus on programs that provide immediate support. From their holiday food card drive to help struggling families put food on the table, to crisis services that offer mental health resources and financial aid for medical bills, the organization is committed to providing a safety net for those in need.
In addition to work led by their organization, United Way Yampa Valley also works to support the impact of other non-profit community organizations and grassroots efforts. The organization understands the importance of community relationships to grow impact.
“There’s a real hunger for these services in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties,” said Nowak. “The merger has allowed us to really get to know these communities again, rebuild relationships, and figure out how we can best plug in and help.”
What’s Ahead
Looking forward, the United Way of the Yampa Valley is poised to grow its impact even further. By continuing to develop innovative programs and build partnerships with other nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, United Way is determined to help the Yampa Valley thrive, despite the challenges ahead.
“We’re not just a small organization anymore,” said Bruen. “We have to think bigger and standardize some of our processes as we grow. But at the end of the day, it’s about staying true to our mission: helping individuals and families in our communities get the support they need to live better lives.”
