The volunteer-run Littleton Community Retreat was founded in 1975 by former City Manager Gale Christy and former editor of the Littleton Independent newspaper, Garret Ray.
Their goal was to help educate citizens about issues of importance to the community. These citizens, they believed, would take ideas from the Retreat and share them widely in the community. The vision succeeded, as ideas generated at the Retreat have spurred outcomes both large and small.
| Ideas from past Retreats | Led to positive projects |
|---|---|
| Lower the railroad tracks | Prepared Littleton for Light Rail |
| Form an historic preservation society | Historic Littleton, Inc. |
| Establish a cultural arts center | Town Hall Arts Center |
| Restore original Main Street storefronts | Financial incentive program |
| Make vacant lots into parks | Promise Park and other mini-parks |
| Expand volunteers in LPS | Littleton Public Schools' Senior Volunteers program |
| River activities along the South Platte | Reynolds Landing Park |
| Develop a low-cost infant/toddler center | The Village Preschool |
| Reach out to immigrants | Littleton Immigrant Resource Center at Bemis Public Library, and Immigrant Pathways Colorado |
| The Littleton Leadership Academy | The 10-month Academy ran for three years, helping citizens understand how their government and its significant partners work. Graduates went on to serve on state and city boards and commissions, and four graduates were elected to the city council. |
The Littleton Leadership Academy, 2017-2019
In 2016, the Retreat began planning for its most ambitious program yet. It established the Littleton Leadership Academy under the leadership of former Littleton Mayors Susan Thornton and Pat Cronenberger, and former Littleton City Councilwoman Amy Conklin. Later the three were joined on the all-volunteer Executive Committee by City Councilman Kyle Schlachter.
The Littleton Leadership Academy ran from 2017 – 2019, helping more than 90 participants understand how their city government works, and providing information about its significant partners. The Academy ran for one full day a month for 10 months each year, and featured an average of 80 speakers yearly on a wide range of subjects.
Graduates of the Academy went on to serve on State and City Boards and Commissions, and on the Littleton City Council. Four Academy participants were initially elected to the Council, with two more graduates serving on the Council subsequently.
A Sampling of Topics of Past Retreats
1976 Transportation for the Future
1977 The Physical City and How We Relate to It
1978 Taxpayers in Revolt
1979 Our Teenagers: Expectations and Roles of Community Systems
1980 Coming of Age in Littleton
1981 Littleton: A Special Place
1982 Annexation in Perspective
1983 What Now, What Next: Taking Charge of Our Future
1984 Courting Justice in Littleton
1985 Shaping Littleton's Destiny: A Cooperative Effort
1986 Littleton and the Arts
1987 Changing Needs: Youth and Seniors
1988 Crime, Education and Sense of Community
1989 Economic Development
1990 Strengthening Littleton's Neighborhoods
1991 Keeping Littleton Special
1992 "Do-Able" Deals
1993-1995 Littleton Unlimited
1997 Retreat to the Future
2001 Focus on Youth
2002 Creating a Caring Community
2004 Welcoming and Involving New Americans
2006 Into the Future: Change and Challenges
2008 Cherishing Our Past: Framing Our Future
2011 New Realities and Choices in Education: What Lies Ahead for Littleton?
2015 Surviving the Silver Tsunami
2017 – 2019 Littleton Leadership Academy