Amy Crossland’s relationship with the park began in the mid-1980s with early visits to the Kawuneeche Valley, a place she has returned to for decades and now considers central to her family’s life.

Originally drawn to Colorado as a college student, Amy worked at Grand Lake Lodge before completing her degree at Colorado State University. After graduating, she settled in the Denver area with her husband. Eventually, they purchased a second home in Grand Lake to give their three sons the opportunity to connect with and explore the natural world. One of her sons participated in, and later led crews for, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps, further strengthening the family’s connection to the Conservancy’s mission.

Amy spends much of her time on the west side of the park and is especially inspired by the dynamic views of the peaks at Rock Cut. She has dedicated much of her life to service: mentoring first-time mothers, supporting patients through the American Red Cross, volunteering with Ronald McDonald House, assisting with equine-assisted therapy programs for children with disabilities, and supporting free dental clinics for underserved communities.

She is honored to support the Conservancy’s work protecting park resources and connecting people to meaningful experiences in nature, helping ensure future generations can develop the same senses of wonder and belonging in wild spaces that have shaped her own life.