Steamboat Adaptive Recreation Sports (STARS) was recently the recipient of a bigger than anticipated check from Colorado Group Realty’s Charitable Foundation. For this year’s 10th annual Colorado Group Realty Parade of Homes, the local real estate firm chose STARS to be the beneficiary. Through ticket sales, sponsorships and contributions from the company, $10,000 was donated, more than double the initial fundraising goal.
Julie Taulman, Executive Director of STARS, was thrilled to participate. Colorado Group Realty reached out to Julie Taulman and asked, “What did it mean to STARS to have Colorado Group Realty pick them as the beneficiary this year?” Taulman said, “Having the opportunity to showcase STARS, our programs and our new ranch to over 400 attendees at the event was amazing. We feel very blessed that the CGR Charitable Foundation believes in the mission of STARS; through their contributions they are helping to support our clients with disabilities to experience life changing recreational opportunities through our programs.”
The Parade of Homes is scheduled during the weekend of the Steamboat Wine Festival to ensure maximum attendance. The Parade showcases a wide range of unique homes throughout the Yampa Valley.
“Colorado Group Realty was honored to work with STARS; they impact the lives of so many in such a profound way. It was an honor to host such a fun event where people tour the most distinctive homes in the Yampa Valley while supporting such a worthy cause. This was by far our best Parade of Homes yet,” said Steve Goldman, CEO of Colorado Group Realty.
This year, parade-goers voted for their favorite home, with the winner named as the 2016 Routt County Home of the Year. A Dakota Ridge home, owned by Kathy and Lou Niewoehner, thrilled attendees and was voted the winner. The home recently underwent a 9-month remodel designed by Ian Wagner of Wagner Design Studio and completed by general contractor Cary Hamilton.
“Kathy and Lou loved the home, but wanted to brighten it up,” said Wagner, “As a team, we opened the house up and updated all materials to bring in more light. We added a large dormer to the south to bring in more light as well as adding some timber framing. The biggest goal was to improve the indoor/outdoor aspect of the home. This was accomplished by the addition of a deck and an outdoor kitchen.” Builder Hamilton added, “I was able to complete all new finishes in the home including custom masonry, alder and reclaimed white oak flooring throughout the entire home”.
Colorado Group Realty and STARS have already begun planning for the 2017 Parade of Homes and are accepting applications for potential tour homes as well as sponsors.