We met some great volunteers today at the Pedal Up to Cleanup event organized by Garry Baker, Senior Planner with the City of Montrose, Colorado. This is a wonderful community that Sallie and I enjoyed visiting. We stayed at a very comfortable and accommodating Bed and Breakfast, The Canyon Creek, hosted by owner Kendra Morrow Gallegos. The weather was looking bleak today with wind, temperatures in the 30′s and a threat for rain or snow. (And it did snow . . . for about 10 minutes) But all of that did not hold back the 12 volunteers that came out to cycle along the Montrose Arroyo Creek Trail to pick up 500 pounds of litter and debris. All of the group were great to work with and we could tell they cared deeply about their community. Montrose has a lot going on right now: They opened a new Community Garden yesterday, approved the funds to construct a new Recreation Center, and have exciting plans to expand bicycle paths around the City. Montrose has a friendly, fun downtown, with a good assortment of retail shops, restaurants and residential building.

We tip our hats to Garry Baker, who took on the planning of this event as part of the City’s Earth Week activities and did a fantastic job. It was hard for me to believe it was the first litter cleanup event he had planned. He got the word out and brought out all the right supplies, including those important thank you chocolates from Russell Stover, fruit and warm and cold beverages.

We left Montrose, inspired again and excited to have spent some time with these citizens that are enthusiastic about their community! Special thanks to all the volunteers from Montrose that came out that day, including: Leanna Johnson, Leslie Ardizone, Eric Svensen, Kelli Baker, Amy Loper McBride, Bob Tesch, Russell Evans, Kevin, Tammy Kulpa, Luke Zoom, and John, who helps with the Warrior Project, among other programs to support returning veterans.

Learn More here: http://johndeuel.com/2014/04/28/pedaling-for-a-cleaner-montrose-colorado