The Colorado Outward Bound School invites you to 

BLACK TIE & GET OUTSIDE!

Each year, the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) community gathers in Denver to support and celebrate our students and mission through the Black Tie & Tennis Shoes gala. We look forward every fall to dusting off our bowties, lacing up our sneakers, and coming together over food and drinks.

Coming together looks a little different this year, but resilience does not. Tenacity does not. And, above all, compassion does not. We may be finding new ways to practice and live these values and connect with those around us, but as we all navigate the path forward, along with support from our crew, they are more important than ever.

Black Tie & Get Outside

We could all use some fresh air and community. This year, we are taking the Black Tie outside! Join us as we head Outward Bound on August 24th for the launch of Black Tie & Get Outside, a month-long campaign to bring our community together (apart) to support our students and our mission. 

This year, you can support COBS from the comfort of your own home or your favorite local trail or city park. This is your time to get some fresh air, and most importantly, to make a difference. 100% of the proceeds from this "event" will go directly to supporting our students, and will be entirely tax-deductible. 

From preparing for a course to the Finals challenge, we will theme this month of giving around the student journey with COBS. You can follow along by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media. If you are just joining our virtual crew, let our Executive Director, Lauren Schmidt, tell you what's in store for the campaign below  and catch up on our weekly video vignettes. 

Week One: Course Prep

Week Two: Training

Week Three: Main

Week Four: Transformation & Finals

Week Five: Transference

How to Participate

We invite you to think about what you might typically spend on a night out or at our traditional Black Tie & Tennis Shoes gala, and make an equivalent gift in support of COBS and our students, or to contribute another amount that is meaningful to you. Some items for you to consider might include: 

• Gala attire - dress, suit, shoes, bags, jewelry, etc. 
• Transportation, ride share, parking
• Babysitting services
• Auction items or donations
• Food and beverage

Don't miss out on our adventure auction here! Opening September 16th, you can catch a preview below. 

 Donate Here!

100% of your donation goes directly to supporting students! 

Each donation will receive a special COBS Trail Kit with recommended activities, drink and snack recipes and more. 

Click here for more information on sponsorships and opportunities to get involved. Thank you for standing resilient with us! 

A huge thank you to our sponsors!

Summit Sponsors

Chris & Melinda Warner

Peter A.  O'Neil

Kate Ridgway & Rick Holmstrom

Weekly Campaign Sponsors

Bob      O'Rourke

Community Sponsors

Bryan & Cynthia Mix	Sean Grimsley & Emily Williams	Mike & Thomassen Davis on behalf of Colorado Academy

Beverage Sponsor

Table Captains

Jen & Mark Bales

Louis & Erica Bissette

Charlotte Brantley

Gordon Bronson

Brian & Rachel Corbett

Nic & Katie Eliason

The Farley Family

Sarah & Luke Hartley

Amy Humble & Corey Smith

Jane Kachadurian Fletcher & Todd Fletcher

Marie Logsden

Bob O'Rourke

David & Lindsey Padrino

Rob Peirce

Ret Taylor

David & Ashley Thurow

Lauren Schmidt & Eric Olson

Peter Sherman & Linnea Krizsan

Remy Spreeuw & Ingrid Burnett

Tarn Udall & Alex DeGolia

Greg & Kristine Vallin

Jon & Tori Woods

Rebecca & Scott Zarret

The ADventure Auction

A huge thank you to the below companies and individuals for their support of our adventure auction, opening September 16th!

Marble Distillery

Saving the environment, drinking, beautiful views? Sign us up! Come for a personalized tour and tasting of the zero-waste, award winning Marble Distillery with the co-founders in Carbondale, Colorado. Then stay the night in one of the Inn’s luxury hotel suites, the only inn in the world housed within a working distillery. Located in downtown Carbondale, steps away from amazing hiking, biking, food, and, of course, spirits! 

Gravity Haus

Join Gravity Haus for a two-night stay, Sunday – Wednesday, non-holidays at Breck Haus at the base of Peak 9. Dinner for two at Cabin Juice included (up to $100) on the mountain. With 60 curated rooms made for ultimate relaxation, and countless amenities tailored to the modern outdoor enthusiast, Gravity Haus embodies the crafted Colorado experience. Let Breck Haus be the place you begin and end your best adventure days.

Folsom Skis

As a local, skier-owned company, Folsom  builds custom skis that are designed, engineered, and built specifically for you. With a focus on their experiential-based Custom Fit process, Folsom gets to know you as a skier as they handcraft the perfect pair of skis at their private manufacturing facility in Denver, CO. With the ability to customize any ski from the core to the topsheet graphic, Folsom Skis are backed by a satisfaction guarantee and are promised to outlast any mass-produced product on the market.

The Little Nell

Enjoy a two-night stay at The Little Nell. Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel, The Little Nell puts the city of Aspen right outside your front door. After an area hike or a day kicking back, enjoy dinner or drinks at one of The Little Nell’s restaurants or bars, boasting world-renowned chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers. See all that the only hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to Aspen Mountain has to offer.

Titus Adventure Company - Three-night adventure vehicle rental with all the fixins

Lauren Schmidt & Eric Olson - Stay at Winter Park luxury home for up to two families

Jen & Mark Bales - Two-bed, two-bath Silverthorne condo

Aspen Skiing Company - Aspen stay at the Limelight Hotel and two lift tickets

Wyman Hotel  - Two-night stay in Silverton

Under Canvas - Two-night stay in deluxe tent at Moab location

Avalanche Ranch - Stay and soak 

Shrine Mountain Inn - One night stay for up to six people at either Chuck's or Walter's Shrine Mountain Inn

Tom Hornbein - Hour-long Zoom call and chat with Tom Hornbein, who made the first ascent of the West Ridge or Mount Everest with mountaineer Willi Unsoeld in 1963

And from the COBS vault, you could "take home": 

• One hour of advice from COBS staff
• Three hours of trip-planning time with COBS staff to help plan your next adventure
• Guided half-day of snowshoeing in Leadville
• Guided fishing day on private-access waters at the Leadville Mountain Center
• Self-supported camping - historic COBS Marble basecamp or Champion Mill site
• Stay in cozy COBS Executive Director's cabin
• Rent snowshoes, kayaks, or backcountry winter gear from the COBS gear locker