A visionary and leader
Itâs rare that one person could have the influence and make the community contributions that Charlie Forster had and made.
Over 35 years in the county, his efforts included:
⢠Establishing Salida Enterprise for Economic Development when he first moved here in 1985;
⢠Leading the 1986 effort to purchase the Salida SteamPlant, persuading 40 business leaders to commit to $1,000 over 10 years;
⢠Assisting with the development of the Coors Boat Ramp at the site of the D&RG bridge;
⢠Assisting with the relocation of the county fair to Poncha Springs and rebranding the fair as the âNew Olde-Fashioned Chaffee County Fair;â
Salida, Chaffee remember contributions of Charlie Forster chaffeecountytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chaffeecountytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The passing of Charles âCharlieâ Forster, 72, on Jan. 28 left a void that is being felt not just in the community, but throughout the region.Â
Probably best known as president of Collegiate Peaks Bank, he wore many âhatsâ with his involvement with the Chaffee County Fair, Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, Salida Aspen Concerts, Salida SteamPlant and numerous other organizations and causes.
Dan Downing, former HRRMC board chairman and friend, had the pleasure of introducing Forster as the fifth member of the HRRMC Hall of Fame in 2016.Â
Downing said, âWeâve been friends for 30 years and have gotten to the point where we were like brothers. Weâve served on boards, fished and traveled together, had meals in each otherâs homes nearly weekly for years â all the things friends do that keep relationships thriving.