Former Steamboat Springs City Manager Gary Suiter has agreed to facilitate the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority’s inaugural half-day retreat on Saturday, May 30, according to RTA Chair Sonja Macys. 

At the RTA’s April 27 meeting, the board agreed to meet for a retreat to hammer out timelines, goals and potential funding mechanisms for the new authority amid a slew of developments, including receiving Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp.’s first $500,000 contribution, adopting its 2026 budget and drafting a job description for an executive director.

Suiter served as Steamboat Springs city manager for nearly a decade. In January 2025, he was honored for his leadership and community contributions during his tenure, with councilors proclaiming Jan. 21, 2025 as “Gary Suiter Day.”

In a Tuesday interview with the Steamboat Pilot & Today, Suiter said he felt equipped to take on the RTA facilitator role for several reasons: prior experience, the volunteer nature of the job, and his longstanding support for the RTA’s success — as well as, of course, his love for Steamboat. 

“My wife and I had a consulting firm for close to 15 years, and we had transportation clients, so I’ve got some experience facilitating transportation retreats,” said Suiter. 

One of the last things he did prior to moving to Denver in October to retire, he added, was vote for the RTA. 

“I care about the RTA, and I’d like to see them get off to a strong start,” Suiter said. “And finally … it’s always just nice to get back to Steamboat, especially close to the summer.”

“As Routt County plans for the future of the Yampa Valley, transportation has emerged as one of the most critical issues we face,” said Macys, also a Routt County commissioner, in a statement to the newspaper. “Gary Suiter’s return at this pivotal time underscores the importance of thoughtful, community-driven transportation planning and our confidence in his ability to help chart a sustainable path forward.”