If you found yourself on Lincoln Avenue on the Fourth of July in Steamboat Springs, watching horses go by, kids on decorated bikes and locals cheering on their friends, you probably felt it — the deep roots of tradition that run through the Yampa Valley.

The Steamboat Springs Chamber is proud to be lead organizer of the parade, a tradition that’s been part of our town for more than a century. With our partners at Routt County and the city of Steamboat Springs also playing a crucial role in ensuring public safety, we understand it takes a community effort to pull together these treasured gatherings in a way that remains fun, authentic and true to Steamboat’s spirit.

We don’t take our role in honoring these traditions lightly. In fact, it’s central to who we are. At over 120 years old, the Chamber is one of the oldest institutions in our community. We’ve evolved alongside this valley, helping guide its economic growth while always striving to preserve the culture that makes Steamboat, Steamboat.

That harmony between preserving culture and embracing growth is one we work to maintain every day. It’s easy to think of growth and tradition as opposing forces, but we believe they can and must coexist.

Growth brings opportunity, but without intention, it can also put pressure on the very character that makes this place home. That’s where the Chamber provides support, not just as a voice for business, but as a steward and champion of the values and identity that define the Yampa Valley.

You see this work in our support for cornerstone events that our partners put on like Winter Sports Club’s Winter Carnival, the Pro Rodeo Series, and Main Street Steamboat’s Farmer’s Market. You also see it in our long-standing relationships with generational businesses. From legacy ranches to iconic storefronts like F.M. Light & Sons, these businesses aren’t just part of our economy, they’re part of our story.

They are the embodiment of local values: resilience, independence, Western hospitality, and a deep connection to the land and each other.

We advocate for these businesses not just with resources and promotion, but through public policy work that aims to create the right conditions for them to succeed. When we support a rancher, a fifth-generation retailer, or a family-run outfitter that’s weathered booms and busts, we’re not just supporting a business, we’re preserving a way of life.

Our mission is all about shaping a future that respects our past and serves the people who call this valley home. In a time when change can feel fast and disorienting, the Chamber remains a steady hand committed to growth that uplifts our residents’ quality of life, and to traditions that ground us.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it because this place matters, its history matters, and the people working here matter. We love this community, and we especially love what we can accomplish when we work together.

The author of this guest column, Sarah Leonard, is chief executive officer of the Steamboat Springs Chamber.