Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Chris Romer of Eagle County, Colorado

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chris Romer. Check out our conversation below.

Chris, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I’m a voracious reader; fiction, nonfiction, blogs…..I’m a fan of reading for pleasure and reading for knowledge. Reading and getting engaged in a good story always makes me lose track of time. It provides a great escape and a great opportunity to reflect and learn from other leaders.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the President/CEO of Vail Valley Partnership (Eagle County’s Chamber of Commerce), which means I spend my days creating community solutions, attending meetings that could’ve been emails, and reminding people that “yes, Vail is a real place with real people and not just a ski resort.”
I am a full-time chamber of commerce nerd and cheerleader for free enterprise and am passionate about workforce issues, political pragmatism, the impact of chambers in their communities, and pretending to understand TikTok to stay relevant. I am known for my energetic presentations, bad dad jokes, and the uncanny ability to turn anything – even (or maybe especially) government regulations – into a rousing call to action.
When I’m not championing Colorado’s central Rockies region, quoting 80’s movies in board meetings, or fighting on the internet on Sundays (IYKYK), I enjoy reminding my daughter that I was cool once, probably.
Oh, and I serve the community in a variety of ways, including: US Chamber of Commerce, Committee of 100, member
Colorado Mountain College, board chair
Institute for Organization Management, faculty & regent
Colorado Competitive Council, steering committee chair
Colorado Workforce Development Council, board member
Western Association of Chamber Executives, past chair & Academy program chair
President Ford Scholarship Fund, board member
Fifth Judicial District Nominating Commission, member

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was (and in many ways still am) a walking contradiction. I recall attending a Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates game as a young child growing up in Chicago; I was wearing a Cubs t-shirt and a Pirates hat, and our seats were directly behind the visitors’ dugout. Dave Parker, a Hall-of-Fame, larger-than-life outfielder, was heading into the dugout when he pointed at me and said “Hey kid, you need to decide if you’re a Cubs fan or a Pirates fan. You don’t get to be both.”
I looked at Mr. Parker with my five year-old eyes and said “yes sir” while quickly removing my Cubs shirt and keeping my Pirates hat on.
The world often tells us what we should be; in my case, Dave Parker made it clear I had to make a choice and I couldn’t have it both ways. This lesson has stuck with me throughout my life. Plus, he was about 6’5″ and rather intimidating to a child.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Everyone faces trials and tribulations in life; some minor, some major, some daily, some occasional. Pain caused by loss or disappointment are part of life. I believe it is important to acknowledge these hardships, recognize them for what they are, and to learn from them and use the lessons learned to develop and grow.
I learned this as a young child – everyone has challenges, we just don’t always see them. Being true to yourself and learning from life’s experiences are a superhero power.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! I am relentless in my belief in the power of collaboration and working together. I believe in working on a regional level, supporting businesses, and building community. As a community leader and weekly newspaper columnist, my positions are well known within our community and within the chamber industry. I believe it would be nearly impossible to be an effective chamber director or community leader without authenticity and without caring about the work.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I first walked through the doors of Vail Valley Partnership in 2007, I was met with a sense of purpose and a commitment to our community that has stayed with me every single day. Over the years, we’ve built programs that have empowered businesses, we’ve helped build Eagle County’s economy through air service and tourism efforts, and we’ve helped strengthen community by building transit authorities. All this has manifested in three National Chamber of the Year Awards.
That said, I hope people simply remember that I was committed to helping others. I can’t think of a better honor.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than