Leadership Douglas County celebrates 25 years
The Leadership Douglas County class of 2025 celebrated graduation at the Highlands Ranch Mansion on Wednesday, June 4.
The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) offers a countywide leadership program for anyone who lives or works in Douglas County. Called Leadership Douglas County (LDC), this year marks the 25th anniversary of the program.
On June 4, the LDC class of 2025 celebrated graduation along with family, colleagues and alumni of the program at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.
LDC was started in 1999 by Pam Ridler and Carol Murray with a mission to develop effective community leaders who would strengthen and enhance a sustainable community. Each year since, a group of about 24 participants have taken part in a two-year long commitment—the first year as students and the second year as program facilitators for the following year’s class.
According to AnnMarie Maestas, the Director of Workforce & Talent Development for the Chamber, who is an alumnus of LDC and the current program facilitator, the LDC program attracts leaders from a variety of backgrounds, including civic, business, service, religious and nonprofit. The program provides opportunities for participants to broaden their knowledge of the Douglas County community and learn from each other, all while enhancing leadership skills.
An overnight team building retreat kicks off the journey in the fall. Students then meet from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Topics include education, public safety, open space, history, fire and emergency services, economic development, healthcare, social services, government, community resources, art and culture. Team building and skills training are also prominent throughout the year.
AnnMarie highlighted an example of a monthly meeting—civic engagement in February where the class spent the day visiting with the district attorney for the newly created 23rd Judicial District. “Where else do you get to sit in a room and talk with the DA?” she asked.
Other functions this year included fire and emergency day at Castle Rock Fire Department, utilities day at CORE Electric Cooperative, library and education day at Legacy Campus and economic development day at Centennial Airport. The group also attended many local ribbon cutting ceremonies to support new businesses.
Volunteerism is also a core value of the program. Each year, the class completes a service project to enhance the greater Douglas County community. The 2025 Class of Action project was supporting Secor Cares in Parker, an organization that supports food insecurity with a mobile market and with school outreach in Douglas, Arapahoe and Elbert counties. Local nonprofits that would like to have a project considered for the upcoming class of 2026 are encouraged to submit an RFP by Friday, August 1.
For nonprofit applications as well as applications for the LDC class of 2026, contact AnnMarie at 303-688-4597 or AnnMarie@CastleRock.org.
To learn more about LDC, visit castlerock.org/leadership-douglas-county.
In May, the Leadership Douglas County class of 2025 spent the day with the Castle Rock Fire Department. Here, they are geared up learning about car accident occupant extractions. Additionally, they learned about all services provided by the department as well as engaged in CPR and First Aid training.
By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos
