Written by Britny Kalule
At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the views from the top of Iron Mountain are pretty unforgettable—but what matters just as much is staying grounded in the community below.
Throughout 2025, the Adventure Park leaned into that commitment by supporting local families, nonprofits, and first responders across Glenwood Springs and Garfield County. From holiday giving to summer concerts, guests played a big role in helping make a real impact.
Spreading Holiday Cheer Close to Home
During the holiday season, GCAP helped bring smiles to kids and families by donating toys to several local organizations, including the BLM Office toy drive, Advocate Safehouse Project, and CASA of the Ninth. These donations stayed right here in the community, helping ensure the season felt a little brighter for those who needed it most.
Gondola Giving That Went a Long Way
One of the year’s most impactful efforts came through the annual Gondola Giving campaign. Between November 14 and 26, guests who brought a $25 City Market gift card to the ticket office received four free gondola tickets. Every gift card collected went directly to LIFT-UP, supporting local families facing food insecurity.
Thanks to guest participation, the campaign raised $7,345 in City Market gift cards.
“Gondola Giving is an important part of how we give back to our community,” said GCAP General Manager Nancy Heard. “We’re proud to support LIFT-UP and the important work they do to help individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.”
Music, Mountains, and Meaningful Support
Giving back didn’t stop when summer arrived. During the Music on the Mountain concert series, proceeds from the $5 Gondola Event ticket after 4 p.m. were donated to local nonprofits on concert days.
This year, nearly $7,900 was raised and shared with:
- Valley Meals
- Sopris Sun
- Tits Deep for Breast Cancer
- Roaring Fork Pre-Collegiate
It was a feel-good way to enjoy live music while supporting organizations doing important work in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Supporting Those Who Show Up When It Matters Most
As GCAP’s 2025 charitable giving partner, Garfield County Search & Rescue received $25,000 to help support their lifesaving mission. Guests had the option to donate during online purchases on both Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and Iron Mountain Hot Springs websites, with both companies matching donations up to $5,000.
Those funds help Search & Rescue continue their work finding the lost, rescuing the injured, recovering the deceased, and educating the public on mountain and wilderness safety.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Looking forward, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is proud to announce Mountain Family Health Center as its 2026 charitable online giving partner.
Mountain Family Health Center is a nonprofit, community-led organization providing affordable medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare for all. Donations collected will support the organization’s Health for All Fund, which helps cover care for uninsured patients and ensures access to high-quality, bilingual healthcare services.
More Than a Day of Fun
Whether guests are riding thrill rides, exploring National Natural Landmark caves, or enjoying live music at the top of the mountain, every visit helps support the community that makes Glenwood Springs such a special place.
