Grand Mesa Nordic Council | Dan Tille, Project Manager
A successful nonprofit capital campaign and a clear example of how passion and Enterprise Zone incentives turn support into impact.
For more than 35 years, the Grand Mesa Nordic Council (GMNC) has maintained 31 miles of Nordic ski trails on the Grand Mesa often under extreme conditions. Without a building for their snowcat, snowmobile and other grooming implements to be housed in or a gathering space for admin and nonprofit events, this work has been challenging at times. In the off season, equipment has been stored in volunteers’ yards. During cross country season, operators work on site out of their cars, (sometimes starting at 2 in the morning.) Starting snowcats that have been stored in subzero temperatures long before dawn can take up to 6 hours at times.
The Skyway Station changes everything.
This beautiful, lodge-inspired structure was designed not only as a warm gathering space for skiers, snowshoers, and hikers to get out of the cold, sign up for classes, and share their love of the sport, but also as an essential operations hub. Skyway Station will fundamentally transform how GMNC operates, supporting trail grooming, equipment storage, maintenance, and volunteer coordination for generations to come.
“This building is not just a community space,” says Dan Tille, volunteer project manager and former board member. “It will fundamentally change how we are going to be able to operate.”
The project began in 2020, when a donor approached GMNC with a significant lead gift. From there, the organization knew it would need a disciplined, strategic fundraising effort to complete the vision. GMNC assembled a fundraising committee and brought in professional guidance from Illene Roggensack of Third Sector Innovations, who trained volunteers to confidently ask for support and to understand and communicate the value of the Enterprise Zone tax credit.
Starting with a$1.1 M goal that was increased when they added the snowcat garage onto the design, the campaign ultimately raised $1.6 million, doubling its original target. The Enterprise Zone program became a central thread throughout the effort, helping donors see how their contributions could benefit both the community and themselves.
Tille, who brings a background in retail, describes the Enterprise Zone as a powerful and practical tool. “It’s like a sales tactic,” he explains. “You’re giving people a reason to say yes—something that makes sense for them as well as for the project.”
That clarity mattered. When a rock excavation contractor encountered unexpected conditions and exceeded the construction budget by $20,000, GMNC worked with them to apply the Enterprise Zone credit resulting in the overage being converted into a charitable contribution. Vendors were informed about the incentive through formal letters, and the project’s builder became an active ambassador for the program, encouraging additional participation throughout the supply chain. In total, vendor donations driven by the Enterprise Zone incentive accounted for approximately $30,000 of the campaign.
By the end of the effort, contributions ranged from $10 to $35,000, with hundreds of donors participating. Gifts of $250 or more qualified for the 25% Colorado Enterprise Zone tax credit, making it easier for supporters to engage at every level.
Skyway Station is now on track to open this season, providing indoor storage, a battery-backed system to keep grooming equipment operational in extreme cold, and a centralized base that supports year-round operations.
For the Business Incubator Center, which administers the Enterprise Zone program locally, the Skyway Station project is a clear example of how targeted incentives can unlock private investment, strengthen nonprofit capacity, and turn community vision into lasting infrastructure.