Reducing Waste and Fostering Hope
Our Story
At a Glance:
Founded: April 3, 2025
- 17,803 lbs Recovered & Redistributed in Year 1
- 23 Hotel & Ski Resort Partners
- 28 Nonprofit & Community Recipients
- Serving Colorado Communities
Slopes to Hope was founded by Drew Roberts after working in Summit County's hospitality industry and seeing firsthand how much usable winter clothing was being left behind each ski season.
How it started
While working at the Grand Lodge on Peak 7, I saw firsthand how much winter clothing guests left behind each ski season. For years, these items were donated to the local FIRC thrift stores until those stores closed. When I heard about this at our Rotary Club meeting, I started thinking about all the clothing that would no longer have a place to go.
One question kept coming to mind:
"What are we going to do with all these clothes?"
I reached out to local nonprofits, but none could use that volume of clothing. Through Rotary, I was connected with Christ's Body Ministries in Denver, a homeless shelter that could put the clothing to use helping people in need. I then approached several hotels and resorts in Summit County with a simple proposal:
"Instead of throwing these items away, let me pick them up and deliver them to this shelter in Denver that can get them directly to people in need."
Six hotels agreed.
During the 2023–2024 ski season, we recovered and distributed 3,052 pounds of winter clothing to Christ's Body Ministries. Seeing the impact of those donations showed there was an opportunity to expand the program.
It also raised another question:
"What if more hotels participated?"
Slopes to Hope was created to answer that question and officially became a Colorado nonprofit on April 3, 2025.
Where We Are Today
As of September 2026, 23 hotels and ski resorts throughout Summit County have partnered with Slopes to Hope. During our first full year as a nonprofit, we recovered and redistributed 17,803 pounds of clothing, blankets, linens, and other useful items.
Those donations have been distributed to 28 nonprofit and community organizations serving Summit County, the Denver Metro Area, and Colorado Springs.
What started with one question has become a growing network of hotel partners, volunteers, donors, and nonprofit organizations working together to reduce waste and help people across Colorado.
This is what Slopes to Hope is about:
Reducing Waste and Fostering Hope.
"I believe there is a strong will among the people of this world to help those in need. And if they are given the opportunity and resources, I believe they will."
- Drew Roberts, Founder