Living in Summit County is a dream. We are surrounded by natural wonder and the best outdoor recreation in the United States. But life here is also difficult, particularly for workers confronting the high cost of housing.
We are constantly reminded that the influx of tourists and the dollars they bring fuels our county’s economy. But the truth is, our county’s heart is kept beating by the workforce that makes life here possible. This Labor Day, take the day off, enjoy a barbecue with friends and family, indulge in an end-of- summer sale or back-to-school shopping — but also make sure you say thank you.
Thank you to the workers at our supermarkets who keep the shelves stocked and the lines moving. Thank you to the plow drivers and road maintenance crews who, despite often unforgiving weather, keep the roads safe and the traffic moving. Thank you to the teachers who educate our children.
Thank you to the police, firefighters, nurses, doctors and first responders who work to protect our health and well-being. Thank you to the ski patrol who keep us safe on the mountain. Thank you to the county and nonprofit employees who put on a myriad of festivals and events that make our community an amazing place to live.
For example, this year’s Breckenridge International Festival of the Arts contained an incredible array of events that would be impressive in a county with ten times the population. Thank you to the bus drivers who transport us all over the county. Thank you to the bartenders, chefs, waiters and waitresses who face long hours and physically demanding tasks while occasionally dealing with rude and disrespectful customers.
Thank you to the electricians, plumbers, mechanics and everyone else who keeps our homes, cars, and county in working order. And thank you to everyone I missed. I’m sure there are 1000s of you who are working from early in the morning to late at night in invisible jobs that are critical to our lives.
In a few weeks we will look up at the mountain and see the lights of the snowcats working late into the evening — a reminder that keeping this county operational is a 24-hour job. If any one of these groups of workers were to suddenly vanish, the impact would be catastrophic and life in Summit County would become impossible. Labor Day was established in the late 19th century to honor the contributions of American workers and to recognize their role in building this nation.
It celebrates the union movement and serves as a reminder of the progress made in its fight for fair wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. When the holiday began, 12-hour days and seven-day weeks were common for American workers and child labor was widespread. We should all enjoy the long weekend, but at the same time also commit to recognizing and supporting Summit County’s workers.
Let us show our gratitude not just with words, but with actions that uplift and empower our workforce. Let us advocate for livable wages, affordable housing and healthcare. Together we should make sure that every worker in Summit County, regardless of their occupation, is treated with dignity and respect and that everyone who works to make life in this county possible, can afford to live in this county.
On Labor Day we should not just commemorate the progress we have made but continue to push for an expansion of these rights. The well-being of our workers is directly tied to the well-being of Summit County as a whole. When we support our workers, we are ensuring sure this area remains the incredible place it is.
Remember that our community’s true wealth lies in its people. In Summit County, where the beauty of our surroundings often overshadows the challenges faced by those who work here, it’s especially important to remember that our community’s true wealth lies in its people. To the healthcare professionals, hospitality workers, construction crews, educators and all the other workers in Summit County: we appreciate you, and we thank you.
You are the heroes of our community, and we are grateful for all that you do. Happy Labor Day..
