The Littleton Community Retreat, https://www.littletoncommunityretreat.org/, was founded in 1976 by former City Manager Gale Christy and former Littleton Independent Editor, Garrett Ray. Their goal was to help educate citizens about issues of importance to the community. They believed that citizens who attended the Retreats would take ideas from them and share those ideas widely in the broader community.
Their vision succeeded, as ideas generated at Retreats over the years have spurred outcomes both large and small, including:
- Lowering the railroad tracks through Littleton, which ultimately led to establishment of the southwest corridor light rail line
- Establishment of the Littleton Immigrant Resource Center at Bemis Public Library, which welcomes people from around the world and helps them learn English and become citizens.
- Founding of Historic Littleton, Inc., and Town Hall Arts Center
- Founding of Historic Littleton, Inc., which preserves historic structures across Littleton.
- Establishment of the Town Hall Arts Center, featuring outstanding musicals and plays.
- Making vacant lots into playgrounds
- Building of Reynolds Landing on the South Platte River
- The 2024 retreat focused on sustainability. Come join us!
From 1976 to 2015, Retreats lead by volunteers covered topics that included transportation, taxpayers in revolt, taking charge of our future, the arts, education, welcoming new Americans, strengthening neighborhoods, the changing needs of youth and seniors, creating a caring community, and much more.
----- The 2026 Littleton Community Retreat ------
Local Non Profits - The Next Generation
Friday, November 6th, 2026 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton CO 80120
With dinner to follow at Littleton Brewing Company | 1201 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, CO 80120
Saturday, November 7th 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - volunteer opportunities, details to follow
Join us as experts help local non profit organizations navigate the changing conditions in our state, our county, our community. Hear how organizations have innovated to respond to the changing conditions by filling voids, merging, increasing services and identifying potential sustainable funding streams. Hear from funders about their priorities, procedures and how you can be more successful in obtaining and retaining funding. Finally hear about Littleton's beloved Dirt Coffee and how they overcame challenges familiar to many non profit organizations. On Saturday, there will be opportunities to participate in a direct, hands on way with some of our local non profits, see first hand how the magic happens that keeps our community thriving.