Darden Coors, Golden Frontier Gala Chair
Darden Coors come from a background as a transactional lawyer and the Chief Executive Officer of Salad Collective, LLC, a restaurant company based in Golden, CO operating under the brands MAD Greens and Snappy Salads. She has experience in private practice real estate law and has worked on real estate purchases and leasing. She has held a variety of in-house counsel positions with Coors-family enterprises, including ACX Technologies, Inc., Graphic Packaging Corporation, and CoorsTek, Inc.
Darden is a fifth generation Coors family member. She loves her hometown of Golden and served for eight years on the board of directors for The Golden Civic Foundation, including as President. She led efforts to partner with small and local businesses, working closely with the City, and raised money for the grant program providing funding to Golden-based organizations, including police, fire, schools, museums and a wide variety of other local non-profits.
Darden is excited to bring her experience to AC Development, specifically in the work of building vibrancy and community through planned real estate development. She looks forward to building community spaces that are accessible and impactful for local residents year-round.
What's one thing about Golden that keeps you invested here?
This is my hometown, so it only makes sense for me to invest in my community.
What does "taking care of your community" look like to you or for your business?
I like to invest in and give to the people and places that are most meaningful to me. I think we all have a responsibility to use our time, treasure and/or talents to serve our community and there are so many opportunities to do that in Golden.
Colorado turns 150 this year. What do you hope Golden looks like for the next generation?
I hope Golden continues to be a unique place with its own identity that draws in the next generation, and I expect the next generation to steward its resources and keep it an active place to work, live and/or play.
Please tell us about your connection with Golden Civic Foundation and what inspires you to give to GCF?
My first introduction to the Golden Civic Foundation was through the Annual Auction. I attended my first auction with my parents in 1993. I haven’t attended every auction, but I think I’ve been at a majority of them since that time. It was a fantastic community event and we “won” some amazing items and experiences over the years. In 2004, I was honored to be invited to join the Board of Directors and served on the Board for six years. I was Auction Chair, Vice President and President of the Board throughout my tenure. I have loved giving to the GCF through the years and being apart of their reach across the community.
The Coors name is woven all through Golden's history. What's one piece of that story you wish more people knew?
As a family whose identity is tied so closely with the businesses and the men who ran them, I do wish I knew more about the women – wives, sisters, daughters – who are less of the focal point of our family history, but such an important part of our family.
What was your very first job with the family business, and what did it teach you?
My first job with the family business was the summer I turned 18. I worked as tour guide and met some amazing people that I’m still friends with today. That job taught me so much about hard work and hospitality, which I still use today. I also learned so much of our family and business history and how connected we were as a family and a business to our consumers. That job also gave me the opportunity to be an ambassador for not just Coors Brewing company Golden itself sharing its history and shopping, dining, cultural destinations. I actually grew up in Oregon, my dad worked at CoorsTek’s plant in Hillsboro there, and while we moved back to Golden, I went to high school in New Hampshire. So that summer working as a tour guide was the first time Golden felt like my home and I think my love for the City started during that summer job.
What's a Golden spot that's changed completely since you first knew it, and one that hasn't changed a bit?
I remember the old Holland House that was redeveloped into the Table Mountain Inn, which was quite a transformation. My grandmother’s name was Holland; she went by Holly. She wished they’d kept the old name, but got used to the new one.
From the outside, the old Golden High School / Golden Jr. High School look the same, but with the GCF’s help, were saved and turned into the Mountaineering Center. Once again that historic structure will be preserved and repurposed into a new hotel and community gathering space. It’s great when the old can continue to remain with new purpose and old charm.
The Paddle Raise is putting a new delivery van on the road for BGoldN. Why does taking care of our own matter to you?
The people of Golden are what keeps this such a special place to live. When our people are challenged, our residents rise to help. We have such a spirit of giving and volunteerism and that is one rason I love our City so much. BGoldN arose out of that sense of community and meeting the needs of our people. I know this van will enable their mission to continue and grow. I have a special place in my heart for providing access to good, healthy food and know its value from all of my years at MAD Greens. Give generously!