30 Nov Telluride Foundation: Hinterkopf is 2025 Citizen of the Year!
The board of the Telluride Foundation selected Barbara Hinterkopf as its 2025 Citizen of the Year.
The Foundation will hold a community celebration to honor Hinterkopf at the Telluride Science & Innovation Center on Thursday, January 8, 4-6 p.m. All community members are warmly invited to attend, but RSVP required.
Beverages and snacks from Lunch Money will be served.
The Foundation will also work with the SPARKy board to help establish the Barbara Hinterkopf Memorial Scholarship Fund. Go here to support this very important work.
Go here for more about the Telluride Foundation (back to 2009).
After carefully reviewing many nominations, the Telluride Foundation announces Barbara Hinterkopf as its recipient of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award.
The award was given posthumously. Hinterkopf passed away in August.
Hinterkopf’s dedication to education, equity and the empowerment of young women left an enduring impact on the Telluride community and beyond. As president of SPARKy, Hinterkopf championed access to higher education for first-generation Latinas by leading the Latina Scholarship Fund, mentoring students and ensuring they felt supported both financially and emotionally.
“My mom always referred to Telluride as her happy place,” said Kristine Hinterkopf, Barbara’s daughter. “When she moved here full-time, she wanted to give back to the community that meant so much to her. Much like she had done previously in Miami, she hoped to find a cause to dedicate her time to, something focused on supporting the underserved. Sparky fit all the criteria. As president, she dedicated herself to helping young Latinas pursue their dreams of higher education through scholarships and ongoing support. Even in her final days, she was still calling her ‘Sparky girls’ to check in on them and make sure they felt cared for and had everything they needed. This honor is a fitting tribute to her generous spirit and the lasting impact she had on the Telluride community.”
Hinterkopf went far beyond traditional volunteer service — she believed in each student’s potential and never gave up on them. Whether guiding young women through SAT prep, checking in with college students or comforting a student overwhelmed by financial aid concerns, she was always present and compassionate.
In addition to her work with SPARKy, Hinterkopf was a founding board member of CARE Elementary School in Miami, Fla., and supported local arts and education initiatives, including the Ah Haa School’s capital campaign. Her efforts have helped hundreds of students realize their academic and personal goals.
“The Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize individuals who selflessly and profoundly enhance the quality of life in our region,” said Jason Corzine, president and CEO of the Telluride Foundation. “This year, we are deeply honored to celebrate the life and legacy of Barbara Hinterkopf. Her unwavering commitment to education, equity and community has left an indelible mark on Telluride and the lives of so many.”
Hinterkopf joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including Emily Haight and Leila Seraphin (2024); David Sussman (2023); Claudia Garcia Curzió, Julia Millan Avila and Jacinto Alonzo (2022); Corinne Cavender, Lollie Lavercombe and Cara Wilder (2021) and many other dedicated community members dating back to 2003.
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