Letter from the President

Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right… and a desire to know.

John Adams

April 2025

Dear Friends of the Public Policy of Forum,

The beautiful Crested Butte summer will soon be upon us, and our Board has been working hard to bring an outstanding slate of speakers to CB for the 2025 season- our 22nd!  There are so many issues facing our world, our valley, our nation today, and our speakers are among those focusing on these vital areas of public policy. You may have already come across their work if you are drawn into the news as much as I am these days.

The Forum begins on 24 June at the very pressing and local level with Becky Mitchell and Doug Kenney in conversation about the Upper Colorado River.  From the Colorado River, the author and journalist Peter Hessler will take us to China; followed by Laura Adams, who will help the Forum explore Artificial Intelligence, its use and risks in Health Care.  

On 15 July, we return to the international realm with Khalida Popal, who helped bring the Afghan Women’s National Football team out of Afghanistan.  The following week, Senior Congressional Correspondent for the Washington Post, Paul Kane, will help us understand the current state of Congress.  Then Berkley professor Alex Fillipenko brings the ever-expanding universe into focus.  

And we close on 12 August, with Dan Weiner from the Brennan Center, speaking on justice and money in politics.  Our distinguished speakers’ detailed profiles are available by clicking on the ‘2025 Program’ tab above.

Thank you to our longtime supporters.  If you are on the website for the first time - welcome, and we hope you will be intrigued enough to become part of the community who make this amazing program possible.   

Thanks again for your civic engagement and your continued support.  I look forward to seeing you this summer- on the trails and at the Forum.

Gabi Prochaska