Who We Are
Greater Dolores Action is guided by a Board of Directors. We hire contractors to help us plan and implement Mountainfilm on Tour and the Dolores River Festival.
Board of Directors
John Chmelir, Chair
John lives in the woods between Mancos and Dolores with his wife and two dogs. A jack-of-all-trades, he has worked as a river guide, high school teacher, helicopter mechanic, general contractor, dog sled guide and most recently as an archaeologist for the Department of Interior. John struggles daily with the balance between the 'ought to do' and the 'want to do'. If he had more time, and more motivation, John would do more yoga, walk more miles and float more rivers.
Scott joined the Greater Dolores Action Board of Director around 2002 with a specific interest and invitation about local trails and the initiative to designate the Boggy Draw Trails as non-motorized, as well as other local trail initiatives. He loves skiing, biking, and whitewater boating, and is currently employed as Environmental Programs Director for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Scott is involved in GDA because believes that GDA can make positive changes moving into the future for our community. He can run a meeting, has been involved with the Dolores River Festival since its inception, always open to new project ideas and new members, and believes the more diverse GDA is the stronger it is, within its mission. Scott moved to Dolores in May of 1996 and just loves this place!
Scott Clow, Vice-Chair
Kate Thompson, Secretary
Kate has served on the GDA Board since 2005, having been engaged in citizen science projects on western rivers since 1990. Dolores has been her home since 2000, when she moved from Flagstaff, AZ. She currently works as an educational travel manager for Crow Canyon Archaeology Center and as a river guide for Grand Canyon Expeditions. Kate continues to be active in the community as she currently teaches yoga and volunteers for many community events. “Serving on the Board is work that I enjoy and believe in,” says Kate. “The Board and volunteers whole-heartedly participate in community events and GDA provides a platform for expressing ideas for community enhancement projects! GDA does a great job in encouraging different opinions from as many community members as possible.”
Andy started at GDA in 2005 after relocating to Dolores from Durango. "It’s been a great way to get involved in our awesome community, and I was instantly drawn to GDA with their involvement in the River Festival, being a river lover," Andy says. He sees the festival as first of summer gathering of community, with music, celebrating the Dolores River and raising funds for improving the quality of life in our valley. From the recycling initiative, to river clean-up, to pedestrian paths and mountain bike and hike trails, he is gratified by adding vibrance to our mountain locale. To sum it up, Andy says, "GDA is at the core of our values and I appreciate being a part of it all!"
Andy Hutchinson, Board Member