Jerry Groswold
Hall Of Fame Inductee — 2000
Jerry Groswold is one of the fathers of Colorado’s tourism industry. The son of Colorado’s first manufacturer of alpine downhill ski equipment, he literally grew up on skis. He got his start in the industry as a water boy for volunteers cutting the first trails at Winter Park Resort, and skied there on opening day for the cost of one dollar. He obtained his law degree and joined the Winter Park Recreational Association in 1959, serving as chairman before being named as the resort’s first president and CEO in 1975, a position he held for twenty-two years. During this time, he oversaw one of the largest ski expansions in Colorado history with the building of Mary Jane, the development of the then largest snowmaking installation and the addition of summer resort programs. He was also instrumental in establishing the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the Winter Park Nordic Jumping School.
Each Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame inductee reflects the profile of the inductee at the time of the induction.