Breckenridge Grand Vacations and Friends of Dillon Ranger District Team Up to Protect Local Trails
Volunteer Days Strengthen U.S. Forest Service Capacity and Community Stewardship
In the heart of Colorado’s high country, a meaningful partnership between Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV)—a leading real estate development and property management company—and the Friends of Dillon Ranger District (FDRD), a nonprofit housed within the Dillon Ranger Station, is helping to maintain local trails and promote forest health. Together, they’re expanding the capacity of U.S. Forest Service rangers by rallying community volunteers and providing essential resources.
BGV makes it easy for employees to give back through organized volunteer trail days with FDRD and backs these efforts with generous grant funding. The collaboration is a shining example of how the Colorado Tourism Office’s (CTO) Statewide Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan comes to life through public-private partnerships, enhanced destination care and expanded volunteerism.
Volunteer Teams Support Trails, Accessibility and Legacy Projects
A longtime leader in community giving, BGV provides its 550 employees with 24 hours of paid volunteer time each year. A portion of those hours supports four annual trail days in partnership with FDRD, with each event engaging up to 20 BGV employees during four-hour shifts.
In 2024, BGV honored the legacy of its late founder, Rob A. Millisor—a passionate advocate for volunteerism—by shifting the annual RAM Legacy in Action celebration from a fundraising walk to a large-scale, hands-on service event. Partnering with six local nonprofits, including FDRD, the initiative brought together approximately 250 BGV employees and their families for a full day of community impact.
Through these projects, BGV volunteers have improved trails across Summit County, benefiting residents and visitors alike. Their efforts include installing signage and bridges, improving trail drainage, constructing ADA-accessible pathways, planting native wildflowers and more.
Grants and Expertise Build Long-Term Capacity
Beyond boots on the ground, BGV provides FDRD with grants that support critical behind-the-scenes needs—funding for staff time, tools, transportation and supplies. The company also offers professional expertise in marketing, information technology and accounting to strengthen FDRD’s operations. In recognition of this multifaceted support, FDRD named BGV its 2023 Partner of the Year.
Making the Most of Limited Resources
Since 2019, BGV has provided FDRD with more than 330 volunteers who donated over 1,350 hours, for a value of approximately $49,200. FDRG is grateful for the support to advance its mission of helping the Forest Service maintain approximately 430 miles of trails and 487 square miles of forest, which sees high visitation, especially in the summer months.
“With just four field staff during the summer, projects that would take us a week can be completed in a single day with 20 volunteers,” said FDRD Executive Director Michael Martin. “Thanks to the power of volunteerism, we can stretch BGV’s grant dollars even further.”
Takeaways for Tourism Businesses
Tourism businesses interested in launching similar destination stewardship efforts can start by identifying a real local need. “Each community is unique,” Martin noted. “The key is understanding how your efforts will benefit both the people and the environment.”
Tara Dew, director of BGV Gives, emphasized the importance of planning. “Offering paid volunteer hours is a great start, but success comes from leadership buy-in and thoughtfully organized opportunities,” she said. After BGV dedicated more staff to coordinate events, promoted them as team-building opportunities and simplified registration, participation soared. In just two years, volunteer hours jumped from under 5,000 to more than 9,000 in 2024.
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, BGV also brought a Spanish-language interpreter to FDRD events to better support its many Spanish-speaking employees. Creating a safe and welcoming environment allowed more team members to get involved.
Have a Destination Stewardship Story to Share?
We want to hear from you! If your business or organization positively impacts Colorado’s natural resources, communities or cultural heritage, please reach out to the CTO. Together, we can inspire and support destination stewardship across the state.
