Home Show Story

The Evergreen/Conifer/Bailey business community has a lot to offer its homeowners in terms of construction, remodeling, gardening services and artistic talent.  The Mountain Area Home and Garden Show (MAHGS) is a great opportunity for our local residents to see what products and services that are available in their community.  One of the traits of a great community is residents supporting their local businesses.

The Mountain Area Home and Garden Show is the brainchild of Teresa Kahler of Mountain Financial Mortgage and Ron Catterson of Catterson Custom Builders.  Long-time area residents and business owners in Conifer and Evergreen, Teresa and Ron were frustrated that there was not an event where local foothills businesses could showcase their goods and services, so they organized one.  Wanting to give back to the local community Teresa and Ron decided to donate the net proceeds to a local charity. 

This year’s beneficiaries are the Evergreen Rotary Foundation (ERF) and the Conifer Rotary Foundation (CRF).  The ERF and the CRF are the entities that distribute money  to the local community and internationally on behalf of the Evergreen and Conifer Rotary Clubs.  The ERF and CRF give grants to worthy organizations in the greater Evergreen/Conifer community, as well as to international causes.  All the proceeds generated by the MAHGS will be distributed back into the local community in the form of grants.   Over the years many local organizations have benefited from Rotary grants.  Here are just a few examples:  Senior Resource Center, Mountain Resource Center, Evergreen Christian Outreach, Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity, Evergreen Chamber Orchestra, Conifer Trails, Evergreen Fire and Rescue, Evergreen and Conifer High Schools, Mountain Area Land Trust, Mt. Evans Hospice and many more.

Last year at Conifer High School over 1500 people attended the MAHGS and over 65 vendors found it to be a very worthwhile experience.  It was a great community event where visitors and vendors enjoyed getting to know the other businesses in the area.  Best of all, the Conifer Rotary Foundation was presented with a $9,000 check.   Over the last four years, the MAHGS has raised over $30,000, all of which has been distributed back into the community.  The MAHGS is a Win-Win-Win-Win for everyone involved.  The attendees Win because they get to know some quality businesses in the mountain area, the vendors Win because they hopefully generate new business, the Rotary clubs Win because they are given the proceeds for grant distribution and the community Wins because 100% of those proceeds are distributed back into the community.

An event of this size would not happen without the help of some very dedicated people.  Here is a list of people who are helping with this year’s show:  Bryan Hutchinson, Scott Hancey, Diane Longoria, Cliff Bowron, Larry Cane, Melony Harris, Susan Hammond, Phil Miller, Susan Imming and Debi Evans.  We would also like to thank all the volunteers from the Evergreen and Conifer Rotary clubs.

This year’s Mountain Area Home and Garden Show will be at Evergreen High School, May 22nd and 23rd.  Next year, the plan is to hold the MAHGS back at Conifer High School and continue to rotate between the two High Schools in the future.  Please join us at this great community event!!