In Eagle County, we like to do things a little differently. We value the mountains and the people who call them home. We’re a community that works hard, plays hard, and—most importantly—works together. It’s not just something we say, it’s how we solve problems, create opportunity, and build for the future.

A prime example is Core Transit, formerly known as the Eagle Valley Transportation Authority, our regional transit system, which was born from collaboration, not top-down mandates. This new regional transit system didn’t appear overnight, nor did it emerge from a top-down mandate. It was born from years of discussion, planning, compromise, and collaboration across both public and private sectors.

The very creation of Core Transit is a reminder that when government entities, businesses, and residents work together, we can solve problems that none of us could tackle alone. Transportation is one of the biggest challenges facing mountain resort communities like ours. Traffic congestion, limited parking, climate concerns, and workforce commuting pressures require a comprehensive, coordinated approach. That’s exactly what Core Transit represents.

The effort to establish Core Transit was led not by a single organization, but by a coalition. Municipal governments, county leaders, employers, special districts, and civic organizations all came to the table. Each brought different priorities, perspectives, and resources, but they shared a common goal: improving mobility for everyone in Eagle County. They understood that transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about access to jobs, affordable housing, schools, recreation, and economic opportunity.

What makes Core Transit so exciting is not just that it exists, but how it came to be. It’s a real-time case study in cross-sector collaboration. Elected officials listened to community input. Private employers supported the vision. Voters stepped up. The outcome is a modern, unified regional transit system designed to connect our valley in a way that reflects our shared values: sustainability, equity, and long-term economic vitality.

Too often, people draw sharp lines between the public and private sectors, as if they are working at odds. But in reality, it is quite different when Eagle County does things the right way: our greatest successes come when these sectors work together. Local government provides essential services and long-term infrastructure planning. Businesses create jobs, invest capital, and help define what our community looks and feels like. Community organizations bridge the gap, offering insights and advocacy on behalf of employees, families, second homeowners, and underserved populations.

We see this kind of collaboration every day in Eagle County, from economic development to workforce housing to early childhood care and beyond. It’s why we are a model for other mountain communities, and it’s why we’ll continue to lead.

Of course, collaboration isn’t always easy. It takes time. It takes listening. It takes compromise. But the results - like Core Transit - are worth it. They are a testament to what we can achieve when we see each other not as adversaries, but as teammates. When we recognize that public success and private success are not mutually exclusive, they are intertwined.

As we look to the future, we face challenges that will test us. Climate adaptation, housing affordability, healthcare access, workforce development, taxation; these are big issues. They’re also opportunities. Opportunities to once again roll up our sleeves, gather the right people around the table, and get to work…. together.

Core Transit isn’t just a transportation solution. It’s a symbol. A reminder that when Eagle County comes together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

We’ve proven that a collaborative approach beats an adversarial approach. Let’s keep working together.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com