Guest Column: Community is a group activity.

As a longtime Glenwood Springs business owner, neighbor, and now city council member, I began to realize how much richer our community could be if we all did our part. Before serving on the City Council, I had a general understanding of how our city government works, but certainly did not know the ins and outs of policy making, the rule of law, and all the entities involved.

When I had a little more free time, I decided I wanted to know more, interact more with my neighbors, and get more involved. Since this decision, my view of our local government has expanded. I am passionate about building relationships in Glenwood Springs and the best way to do that is to be a part of it. The more connected we are as a community, the easier it will be to preserve the character of our city. After all, “community” is a group activity.

Everyone brings different perspectives, priorities and areas of interest, but what we get out of these activities depends on what we put into them. The most vivid experience will come from care and participation.

At the same time, it is clear that people are busy and we all have a lot to do. It may seem impossible to add even one additional obligation. However, I encourage you to communicate in a meaningful way that works for you and your schedule.

Today, working with the city and this community is easier than ever.

As a city council, we have made every effort to ensure that information is available to you. Our staff regularly updates information on social media, frequently shares press releases and newsletter updates via email, adds project information online, and responds to your requests for information posts. All CORA (Colorado Open Records Act) requests can be viewed at: cogs.us/CORAwhere you can also request additional information.

Many ways to contact city officials, staff and council members can be found on the website cogs.us/Connect. Here are some ways to get started:

Get city updates

Did you know you can receive updates from city officials directly to your email or text message? Select topics that interest you most, such as community events or news about a specific construction project. Our staff also puts together a monthly email newsletter so you can get all the information you need in one place. Subscribe to our newest newsletter, City Council Summary and Noticesto obtain a post-Board meeting summary of decisions and actions taken at Council meetings. Receive these updates by email or text message (or both).

Follow us online

If you prefer to get your news on social media, we’re there too. You can find the city and city departments, including fire, police and parks and recreation, on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, WhatsApp and YouTube. All profiles link directly to cogs.us/Connect, making tracking easy. City officials share news about projects, road construction, local events and Council decisions.

Chat with us

I know that sometimes one-on-one time with a person can be the most comfortable, and I’m more than happy to do that with you. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].. I’d love to join you for coffee or meet your neighbors or small group. My fellow council members feel the same way, and we all welcome your emails, comments and questions at [email protected]..

Volunteer

If you want to go deeper (which is how I became a Council Member), we are always looking for community members to serve on our boards and commissions. We have 14 different boards and commissions that advise the Council and staff on issues related to arts and culture, parks and recreation, housing, tourism management, downtown development and more. If you have a few hours a month to give back to the community, boards and commissions are a great way to really bring your experience and knowledge to Glenwood Springs.

Where to start?

Whether you sign up for our newsletter or join a forum, every contribution strengthens our community. By connecting, you’ll find new ways to contribute and make an impact without even having to attend public meetings.

Through my involvement, I learned how approachable our city staff and council members are. We are here to listen, respond and work together. Your voice makes a real impact on our community simply by reaching out and connecting. After all, your city council members and many of your city’s employees live here in Glenwood Springs. We shop at the same grocery store, attend the same events, and our kids go to the same schools. Building stronger relationships in our community starts with one conversation, and we welcome new perspectives, contributions, and ideas from each of you.

Let’s continue the conversation, find all the ways to get updates, get involved, and opportunities to get involved. cogs.us/Connect. I look forward to your response soon.

Erin Zalinski is a member of the Glenwood Springs City Council. She was elected to this post in 2023.