Confluence Center of CO: Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration

Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) is proud to announce our participation and expansion into the Confluence Center. We are joining several local nonprofits in this groundbreaking initiative to establish a collaborative space where conservation, education, and community service will flourish. By bringing nonprofits together under one roof the Confluence Center will amplify the work of each organization and expand our collective impact across the Grand Valley.

What is the Confluence Center?

The Confluence Center will house a Nonprofit Working Space where we can pool resources, ideas, and best practices to better serve our community. It will provide essential resources for continued growth, public engagement, and meaningful partnerships. The following founding nonprofits have signed on to be part of this unique and innovative project.

• Colorado National Monument Association
• Eureka! McConnell Science Museum
• RiversEdge West
• One Riverfront
• Colorado Canyons Association
• Colorado West Land Trust

Read more about each founding nonprofit here.

The Confluence Center building will also house:

• Land and Water Resource Hub – collaborative and informational site for work on western river systems, public lands, and agricultural lands.
• Childcare Center and Preschool – utilizing a STREAM (Science, Technology, Rivers, Engineering, the Arts & Mathematic) focus.
• Interpretive Lobby – education and interpretive resources for the public with a focus on land, water, science, agricultural, and recreational resources of our region.

Together this project not only unites mission-focused organizations, but it also introduces the STREAM Preschool and Childcare Center, which will have a significant impact on economic growth, childcare accessibility, and early childhood education opportunities in our community.

An Investment with a Broader Impact

With your help we can bring this vision to life. Donations to the Confluence Center will contribute to a shared facility designed for learning, collaboration, and community involvement. As well as much needed shared meeting and workspaces, community events, and more.

Specifically, for CNMA, a dedicated space within the Confluence Center means increased capacity to support Colorado National Monument and furthers our conservation and educational initiatives. It also allows us to build upon and foster deeper relationships with our community and fellow nonprofits in a new and accessible location.

With the Confluence Center’s location at the Dos Rios area along the Riverfront, Crystal Tyndall, CNMA’s Associate Director, is particularly excited about this project, “The accessibility of having a CNMA office ‘in town’ is huge. I plan to bike to work (read: increased employee satisfaction). I am excited by the opportunity for our organization to host meetings and guests in the shared space. Previously, our resources have been the public library and local coffee shop, however these locations were not always conducive to our needs.”

Organizational Goals and Excitement About This Opportunity

CNMA’s Board President Victor Ketellapper shares our goals for this project, “The CNMA Board of Directors is excited to announce plans to become a member of the Confluence Center, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting natural resource-focused groups to benefit future generations. Once completed, the Confluence Center building will offer CNMA office space and access to conference rooms, creating a central hub for our administrative operations and programs. This partnership will also open doors for collaboration with like-minded organizations, enabling us to work together on critical regional issues surrounding land and water stewardship. The Confluence Center embodies a shared vision to increase science-based education and stewardship capabilities. CNMA is proud to be part of this vision.”

Additionally, CNMA’s Executive Director Johanna van Waveren speaks on the impact of this project to our organization. “CNMA currently has 10 employees working out of a single small office that’s more like a storage closet, with no space for meetings or even a sign for visibility. Being part of the Confluence Center would be a game-changer, giving us the chance to collaborate more, grow as an organization, and amplify our support for our local National Park and community. The increase in elbow room is crucial, as we’re often working in a very small office/storage space at the visitor center. I am hopeful this center will help address this challenge as our organization continues to grow.”

CNMA will continue to house an office space within the Saddlehorn Visitor Center. This is to support our staff at the bookstore and to remain in close proximity to our National Park Service partners.

Additional Benefits: Tax Incentives for Your Gift

Your donation to the Confluence Center is not only an investment in the community – it can also provide tax benefits.

• It may qualify for the Enterprise Zone tax credit. Donations of $250 or more, are eligible for a 25% tax credit on state taxes.
• Contributions to the Confluence Center, through the EUREKA! STREAM Preschool, may qualify for the Child Care Contribution Credit. This tax credit allows you to take a 50% tax credit on state income taxes.

These incentives allow your gift to go even further by providing savings for you while supporting our mission. For more details on these tax benefits and how to quality, please visit the Ways to Give page.

How You Can Help

We plan to launch a fundraising campaign for the Confluence Center in the coming months. Your support will help create a sustainable hub for Grand Valley nonprofits to grow. Each dollar invested supports CNMA’s conservation and educational programs and increases the visibility of community partnerships for years to come.

You don’t have to wait and can make your impact today by donating to the Confluence Center.

Thank you for considering contributing to this unique project that will have a profound impact on CNMA and beyond.

Together, we can create a legacy of community, conservation, and collaboration for future generations.