Valley Settlement: 2026 Rural Award for Excellence - El Pomar Foundation's Awards for Excellence

Valley Settlement is dedicated to working alongside Latina/o families in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley to create opportunities for learning, connection, and long‑term stability. Founded in 2011 through an extensive community‑led listening process, Valley Settlement was built on relationships, cultural belonging, and a shared commitment to reducing systemic barriers faced by Spanish‑speaking families. Using a two‑generation approach, Valley Settlement supports both children and adults through a network of six community‑designed programs focused on early childhood education, adult learning, family engagement, and access to essential resources. These programs recognize parents as their children’s first and most important teachers while strengthening the skills, confidence, and leadership of the entire household. Central to Valley Settlement’s work are innovative initiatives such as El Busesito Preschool, a free, bilingual early‑learning program delivered directly to neighborhoods. By addressing obstacles such as cost, transportation, language, and childcare access, El Busesito and complementary programs create welcoming, culturally responsive spaces where children can thrive, and parents can build pathways toward economic stability and community leadership. Through strong community partnerships and sustained relationship‑building, Valley Settlement helps families access vital services, strengthen social networks, and build confidence to advocate for themselves and their children. Now serving families across multiple counties on Colorado’s Western Slope, Valley Settlement continues to lead with a clear and hopeful vision: an equitable, inclusive community where cultural identity is honored, families are connected and supported, and every child and caregiver has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This award honors an organization of excellence headquartered in one of our nine rural regions: Central Peaks, High Country, North, Northeast, Northwest, San Juan, San Luis Valley, Southeast, and Southwest. This year’s honoree hails from the Northwest region. The honoree receives a $100,000 grant to support its good work and contributions to their region. El Pomar Foundation's first program, Awards for Excellence, celebrates outstanding nonprofit organizations and individuals around Colorado. Presented at our biennial Night of Excellence ceremony, honorees are spotlighted for their work and receive grant dollars to support their extraordinary impact across the state. El Pomar stakeholders and community members are engaged in nominations and selections, and recognition and video tributes for each awardee help amplify their contributions for enhanced engagement in their communities.