As 125 years of Town history is being celebrated this August 12th, I was curious as to the history of the Castle Rock Chamber, an influential organization that has served as the "voice of business" for the past 51 years.
The Castle Rock Booster Club was the predecessor of the Chamber. On December 22, 1955, Booster Club members voted to change their name to the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce with the specific goals of promoting membership businesses; educating local residents about the products, services and merchandise of its members and generally marketing the area as a pleasant place to live.
In the early days of the Chamber, its functions were primarily serving as a representative of its membership in suggesting, planning and enacting laws that served the needs of both businesses and residents such as parking, sign codes and law enforcement. It worked hand in hand with all aspects of city government - police, fire and the town board.
An office was maintained and was open four hours a day Monday through Friday. A telephone number was listed in both the white and yellow pages of the Denver phone book. There was one salaried employee, the Executive Secretary, who was available during those 20 hours a week to answer questions, distribute literature and perform all office duties.
To meet the cost of the Chamber operation, the Chamber organized three fundraising events a year - the Douglas County Home and Recreation Show, an exhibitor's show for the promotion of local businesses; a Fourth of July BBQ and the Douglas County Fair Days Beef BBQ. The Chamber's only other source of revenue was its membership dues.
Today, the Castle Rock Chamber continues with these goals of serving as the "voice of business," promoting businesses in the community and encouraging its residents and tourists to "Shop the Rock." The Chamber has also expanded its influence to serve as an advocate of business to government and as a political advocate when the issues enhance the economic vitality of the area, such as support of the Transportation Action Plan (T.A.P.) and the 2A measure, which assisted park and recreational development and enhanced the Town's police and firefighting services.
The present Chamber is involved in more than 17 community events a year with a staff of6 fulltime and one part time employee and a board of 21 business leaders. Chamber membership has also increased in value with benefits such as free marketing and advertising opportunities, numerous free networking events, ribbon cuttings, use of Chamber conference room facilities and bulk mail permit, website listing and complimentary employment notice and a workers compensation group to name a few.
In celebration of 51 years of promoting Castle Rock businesses, the Chamber board and staff would like to recognize those members with the longest continuous affiliation and the year they joined:
George Hier/Hier Drilling Company - January, 1974;
Tom Miller/Castle Rock Bank - April, 1974;
Jan Heidbreder/Oakwood Dental - December, 1974;
Dennis Pottenger/D & L Constructors, Inc. - December, 1974;
Paul Eakins/Eakins & Company, P.C. - January, 1980;
Diane Evans/Land Title Guarantee Company - September, 1981;
David Boyd/Boyd Chiropractic - January, 1984;
Steven Cribley/Castle Rock Veterinary Clinic, P.C. - October, 1986;
Ron Zuroff/Aquila -
December, 1986; Randy Ridler/Guaranty Bank & Trust Company, Castle Rock - December, 1986;
Carolyn Thompson/RE/MAX Alliance - December, 1986;
Don Sackett/Acme Brick - December, 1986;
Kevin Mahagan/Double D Auto Repair, Inc. - December, 1986;
Wes King/FirstBank of DouglasCounty - December, 1986;
Darci Archer/Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network - December, 1986;
Roger Bumgarner/Bumgarner & Linn, D.D.S., P.C. - December, 1986;
Larry and Bea Blanc/Castle Pines Florist and Greenhouse - December, 1986;
Erik Jensen/Castle Rock Construction Company of Colorado LLC- December, 1986;
Vicki Miller/The 3 Lynx Toy Store - December, 1986; and
Bill Steele/Steele Tires, Inc. - December, 1986.