On a quiet Thursday evening in late June, something powerful happened in Steamboat Springs.
In partnership with First Impressions of Routt County and Routt Thrive by 5, Steamboat For All hosted the first public Colorado screening of No Country for Mothers at Wildhorse Cinema. More than 45 community members signed up for the event.
This film follows activist Reshma Saujani as she exposes the systems that were never built for mothers to thrive and chronicles a growing movement to bring moms together across divides and win historic support for families. It’s being shown through a national grassroots campaign that’s bringing hundreds of local communities together, just like ours, to connect personal stories to policy change.
Here in the Yampa Valley, we know that when housing, childcare, and the basic costs of living are out of reach, it is mothers, caregivers, and working families who feel it first and deepest. Bringing the community together for the screening wasn’t just about watching a film—it was being in a room where we can say things out loud that we’ve been carrying quietly, and realize we’re not alone.
What unfolded, was a glimpse of what’s possible when we lead with shared values and create space for honest conversation. The evening sparked honest conversation, shared stories, and new energy for local action—because our community thrives when the people raising children, caring for others, and powering our workforce can build stable lives.
Starting with What We Share
The audience reflected the full spectrum of our community—parents and non-parents, women and men, younger and older residents. Despite different life experiences, there was a clear common thread: people care deeply about the well-being of families and the future of this community.
That shared concern created an immediate sense of connection. The film gave voice to challenges many experience but rarely see reflected publicly—especially the realities facing mothers in rural communities.
Creating Space for Real Conversation
Following the screening, a panel of local voices brought vulnerability and honesty to the conversation. Greer Van Dyck, host of the podcast “Can We Say That Out Loud?” and Meg Franges, executive director of First Impressions of Routt County shared personal stories of navigating motherhood, work, and community in a place we all love—but that doesn’t always make it easy for families to thrive.
One of the most impactful elements of the evening was the willingness of Greer and Meg to share their lived experiences. Their stories grounded the conversation in reality and reminded us that policy conversations are, at their core, about people. When we center real voices, we build trust—and trust is what allows communities to move forward together.
What stood out most wasn’t just what was said on stage, but what happened after.
People stayed.
They talked with one another—sometimes with strangers—about what they had seen and felt. There were tears, yes, but also relief, recognition, and a sense of being seen. They signed up. Many expressed a desire to get involved with Steamboat For All and Routt Thrive by 5, signaling a readiness to move from awareness to action.
This is how change begins: not with a single event, but with an invitation that feels accessible and meaningful.
Building Momentum Together
The response was immediate and encouraging:
- Attendees asked for additional screenings so others could participate.
- A city council member requested a showing for fellow council members.
- Routt Thrive by 5 saw the highest level of engagement of any effort to date.
These are strong signals that our community is ready to engage more deeply on issues affecting families.
What Comes Next?
This event reinforced something we believe deeply at Steamboat For All: meaningful change starts by bringing people together in ways that feel human, inclusive, and grounded in shared purpose.
We will continue creating spaces like this, where stories are shared, connections are built, and pathways to action are clear. Stay tuned for information on Dear Steamboat, a community-centered art and storytelling exhibit that explores how housing and child care affordability shape life in Steamboat Springs. Slated for this fall, the exhibit pairs visual art, personal stories, and selected local data to put human faces behind affordability challenges — and invites the community to move from awareness to action. Our goal is a public experience that is emotionally resonant, visually compelling, and civically useful. Dear Steamboat is designed not only as a gallery-style installation, but also as a gathering space for conversation, learning, and community programming throughout its run. I’ve attached the supporter packet to provide some more in- depth information on the project.
Together, we can continue building a community where everyone—especially families—has the opportunity to thrive.