About FOLBR

Friends Of The Lower Blue River

Sharon Sweet

Sharon Sweet was hatched in Southgate, California, and was there for about 3.5 years, then moved to Wichita, KS, then Orlando, FL – stayed in each of those towns for about 5 yrs. Then in 1959, Sharon and her family moved to Denver for about 5 years, then Boulder. Her folks moved on, but Sharon stayed in Colorado.

In the meantime, she had earned her RNBS at Loma Linda University, did a stint in hospital nursing and then landed a job in Occupational Health Nursing. Sharon wrote the exam for Certified Occupational Health Nurse and passed. That is a bit like writing your “boards” all over again. She did that for a bunch of years, then did some medical writing for a bit, before finishing out her career in Family Practice. Sharon retired from Nursing about 10 years ago but continues to use her medical knowledge on a regular basis in her ranch work.

About 10 years ago, Sharon and her husband, Bob, moved to Summit County to manage a ranch in the Lower Blue River Valley. They joined FOLBR that fall. Sharon and Bob have successfully bred, trained and shown Belgian Tervuren in Conformation and Performance events. There was a time a few years back that they owned and showed the then Number 1 dog in the breed for 3 consecutive years; he is also the top producer in the history of the breed. Showing him helped Sharon rack up states that she had not previously been in, and about 2 years ago she made it to her 50th state.

Board Members

Sam Kirk - President

Sam Kirk - President

Samuel Kirk is a long-time resident of Pebble Creek Ranch where he currently serves as ranch liaison as well manager of the Pebble Creek Horse Association. Sam was the president of FOLBR for many years. During his tenure he originated the FOLBR Livestock Emergency Preparedness Program and continues to coordinate the program, especially during wildfire season. He grew up in a small rural Illinois town (the only Oblong), and maintains that commitment to the betterment of rural areas with his return to the FOLBR Board of Directors.

President

John Marshall - Vice President/Treasurer

John Marshall - Vice President/Treasurer

John Marshall has been a resident of Colorado since 1994 after leaving Memphis, Tennessee to attend graduate school at the University of Colorado. He has been employed in the pharmaceutical, and now biotechnology industry. John is interest in both science and helping patients in time of need. His current responsibilities involve consulting with patients and physicians in hope of patient’s receiving medications to treat ultra-rare genetic disorders. Additionally, he is now getting involved in both stem cell and solid organ transplant therapeutic areas.  

Jonathan Knopf - Executive Director

Jonathan Knopf - Executive Director

Jonathan moved to Summit County full-time in 2013. But he’s been coming to the County since the 1970’s. After a 40-year career in broadcasting, he and his wife Susan have settled in Silverthorne. Jonathan is an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and snow skiing. He is committed to preserving the beauty and wonder of the Blue River Valley for future generations.

Jan Lowrey - Secretary

Jan Lowrey - Secretary

Jan's family moved to Summit County from Miami, Florida in July of 1999. They moved to slow down on work schedules, and to enjoy the active lifestyle. Jan practiced as an anesthesiologist for 30 years in Miami, Denver, Frisco and Vail. She retired in 2017. Jan now has plenty of time to enjoy all that the Lower Blue River Valley has to offer! She enjoys biking, hiking, and cross country skiing.

Laura Fox - Book Keeper

Laura Fox - Book Keeper

Laura Fox came to Colorado in 1971 to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder where she majored in Geology. She fell in love with the mountains, and began camping and climbing throughout Colorado. After working as a geologist in Colorado and Montana, she pursued a second career in accounting. Laura worked as a CPA for 26 years for a small public accounting firm in Denver until her retirement. She and her husband Jack moved to Dillon in 2015. They are avid skiers in the winter, and hikers in the summer. Laura loves the outdoors and being active with the senior community in Summit County. And since retirement, she has time to read books! She spends time with her grandson whenever possible. She's excited to have the opportunity to be a board member of FOLBR.

Bob Girvin

Bob Girvin

Bob Girvin was born in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, in 1936. After graduating high school from the Haverford School in 1953, he attended Amherst College. He then manufactured military aircraft landing gear in Chicago from 1961-1972. After moving to Breckenridge in 1972, Bob developed the Beaver Run Resort and was a board member for the resort from 1984-2015.

Johnny LeCoq

Johnny LeCoq

John Le Coq is the founder and CEO of Fishpond, a Colorado-based fly fishing/outdoor recreation company that builds premium products and uses its profits and customers to support water, fish, and habitat conservation efforts. John is also the founding partner of Case Logic and has been an active advertising and commercial photographer for 35 years. John lives on a working ranch on the western slope of Colorado, where he works to shape the future of Fishpond and protect the habitat and species with whom we share this planet.

John Hillman

John Hillman

John D. Hillman, MD, is the President of ACRE (Acorn Creek Ranch Estates) Property Owners Association and has been a Board Member FOLBR since its beginning. John was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but moved to Denver in 1958 to attend the University of Colorado Boulder and then Medical School in Denver. After Med School, John did an internship at Cincinnati General Hospital; his Residency at University of Colorado, Denver; then, worked at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.

Sharon Sweet

Sharon Sweet

Sharon Sweet was hatched in Southgate, California, and was there for about 3.5 years, then moved to Wichita, KS, then Orlando, FL – stayed in each of those towns for about 5 yrs. Then in 1959, Sharon and her family moved to Denver for about 5 years, then Boulder. Her folks moved on, but Sharon stayed in Colorado.

Tom Koehler - Director of Climate Action

Tom Koehler - Director of Climate Action

Tom's appreciation for our region's natural resources was enhanced over the years by his dedicated volunteer work with Summit Huts and Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. The time spent with High Country Conservation Center also instilled a growing environmental ethos along with an appreciation for our land and water health through waste diversion, lowering pollution and GHG emissions. A healthy forest is difficult to attain. That's why he provides monthly legislative updates to the Forest Health Task Force.

Emily Jacobs - Board Member

Emily Jacobs - Board Member

As a child, Emily’s refuge and joy was the Blue River Valley. She was introduced to horses at Pebble Creek Ranch, where she became enamored with exploring the outdoors on horseback. Her horse career and her passion for land stewardship began at trial riding and lesson programs in the foothills of the Rockies. She received her BA in English literature from DU but found herself back in the world of animal welfare soon after. She is finishing a postgrad degree from CSU’s Equine Science Program and has a certificate in Animal Assisted Activities, Therapies, and Interventions from DU’s graduate school of social work. Her life is fueled by a desire to help land, animals, and people thrive, and she feels deeply responsible for safeguarding the land that has given her so much. She is again living in the beautiful Blue River Valley where she is Head Trainer at Pebble Creek Ranch. She is learning to love fly fishing and is always up for a hike with her dogs, Tuvia and Dally Girl.

Lynn Amstutz

Lynn Amstutz

My husband, Glenn, and I moved to a much different Summit County in 1972 . Then in 1976, we moved from Frisco into the Lower Blue River Valley where we still reside. Before Summit, I was an English instructor at the University of Wyoming. Since then, I have worked as a Summit County librarian, as a professional ski patroller at Loveland, as a census worker, as a legal assistant, as a freelance writer.... etc., etc., etc. Like many who move to Summit County and want to stay, we have done anything needed to be able to remain here. Off and on, and since the beginning, I have been involved with FOLBR. It has been a pleasure to watch this organization grow and flourish over the past decades. I am proud to be a board member.

Brien Rose

Brien Rose

Brien Rose moved to Summit County in 2014 and works as the Natural Resource Manager for Blue Valley Ranch in Kremmling Co. He grew up in Michigan and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources and Fisheries Biology from Central Michigan University. Prior to employment at Blue Valley Ranch, he worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and as a biologist for the U.S. Geological Service. He is passionate about conservation and an avid outdoorsman. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Karn Steigelmeier

Karn Steigelmeier

Karn grew up in Colorado skiing and camping, graduated from CU, Boulder with a degree in Environmental Conservation. She left Colorado in 1976 thinking it had been ruined by John Denver’s songs creating awareness of Colorado’s glories, and too many people moving here. She worked in Mt. Hood National Forest, OR as a firefighter, Naturalist, and Wilderness Ranger, then in California teaching environmental education with Yosemite Institute. She taught science and outdoor education at two Bay Area schools, and worked summers as a ranger/naturalist for Crater Lake, Everglades and Grand Teton National Parks.

Jackson Beck

Jackson Beck

Jackson Beck grew up in Golden, Colorado and is an avid outdoorsman. He loves spending time with his girlfriend, Maren, and working with his hands at the Pebble Creek Ranch. His dedication to the preservation of Colorado’s natural resources and pristine wilderness led him to pursue a career in water law. He is currently finishing up his JD at the University of Colorado Law School and looks forward to supporting the Blue River Valley’s community and environment.

Barry Rubenstein

Barry Rubenstein

Barry and his wife, Amy, moved to Summit County in October, 2010. While the move was made for Amy's job, it was a dream come true for Barry, an avid skier, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast. After spending five years in the Breckenridge area, Barry, Amy and daughter, Lily, moved to the Lower Blue River Valley, settling in Silverthorne in 2015. He fell in love with the valley right away and immediately felt the importance of sustaining, protecting and maintaining the environmental integrity of the place he calls home. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Barry has worked in the marketing, public relations and film/video production fields for over 20 years and is excited to bring this passion to the FOLBR.

Morgan Offutt

Morgan Offutt

Morgan Offutt is a CSU graduate with a BA in Equine Sciences. Originally from Arlington, TX, Morgan now lives and works full time in Summit County as a horse manager and part time sleigh driver. She is passionate about the ranching community and preserving horse ownership in the Blue River Valley. In the summer months, Morgan is the ranch manager for the recently re-named Summit Valley Horse Center. (formerly Blue River Horse Center)

Pam Beardsly–Emeritus

Pam Beardsly–Emeritus

Mrya Isenhart–Emeritus

Mrya Isenhart–Emeritus

Frank Isenhart–Emeritus

Frank Isenhart–Emeritus

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