[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E298-E299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING VAIL TOWN MANAGER STAN ZEMLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2017

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise before 
this body of Congress and this nation today to recognize Mr. Stan 
Zemler of Vail, Colorado who is leaving local government after having 
served the public for over thirty years in the State of Colorado.
  Mr. Zemler has served the Town of Vail as Town Manager for the past 
thirteen years, the City of Boulder as Acting and Deputy City Manager, 
the Boulder Urban Renewal Authority as Executive Director, as well as 
the Boulder Chamber of Commerce as CEO, with a career that has produced 
positive impacts for both residents and visitors of Colorado.
  Zemler's leadership is about community partnering and consensus 
building, an approach that has helped foster public and private 
relationships in an effort to achieve the best outcomes for the 
communities he served, including such partnering for the Billion Dollar 
Economic Renewal effort in Vail, the completion of numerous public 
safety infrastructure improvements, and the launch of numerous 
environmental and forest health initiatives.
  During his tenure serving local governments, Zemler has worked with 
various agencies, including both the federal and state government 
branches, and closely with the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado 
Department of Transportation. The collaborative work has enhanced 
Vail's local community, international guest services and amenities and 
strengthened its economic position as a sustainable international 
resort. The outcomes have included federal legislation and cost sharing 
with the USFS in protecting forest lands surrounding the Vail Valley as 
well as the implementation of the Interstate 70 Vail Underpass Project, 
federal-state-municipal-cost-shared project, which benefits many guests 
and residents of Vail.
  Zemler's longstanding commitment to the State of Colorado is 
represented by his efforts to showcase and protect its natural and 
beautiful environment and balance that with an economy that supports 
tourism and recreation in the Rocky Mountains. His support of the 
Congressional legislation that expanded recreational uses on forest 
service lands has allowed for the debut of Epic Discovery on Vail 
Mountain, an offering of enhanced recreational opportunities. And the 
Vail community's support of an initiative that was developed because of 
Vail's surrounding public lands was used as the inspiration for 
declaration of Colorado Public Lands Day to be celebrated on the third 
Saturday in May. This acknowledged day recognizes the significant 
contributions that national, state and local public lands within 
Colorado make to wildlife, recreation, the economy, and to Coloradans' 
quality of life.
  Zemler has also been very active and influential in his roles serving 
both the 1-70 Coalition and Colorado Association of Ski Towns,

[[Page E299]]

leading these two prominent Colorado organizations that are often heard 
on topics related to improvements for the 1-70 highway corridor and the 
future positioning of ski resorts located in municipalities, having 
served as both Boards' Presidents.
  Zemler has been successful in working with his elected officials and 
community to strategically achieve results that speak to their vision 
of 1) growing a balanced community; 2) enhancing the town's economy; 
and 3) elevating the resort experience; all of which have a direct 
impact on the people who live, work and play in the area, and has 
resulted in Vail's success in becoming North America's Premier 
International Mountain Resort Community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to pay tribute to Mr. 
Stan Zemler on behalf of the residents of the 2nd Congressional 
District and myself. His distinguished service and contributions to the 
Town of Vail and municipal governments in the State of Colorado will 
remain his legacy for many years to come.

                          ____________________