Emily Lashbrooke

2024 SECRETARY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Pagosa Springs Community Development

A former restaurant owner and coordinator of the largest motorcycle rally in the area, Emily Lashbrooke understands small businesses and the challenges they face. She works to build bridges between businesses, municipalities, counties, tribal entities, and community members.

Working as the Program Manager for the La Plata County Economic Development Alliance, she created a public-private partnership to develop infrastructure for commercial properties bordering the city of Durango. She also established the Bond to Business Program, keeping nearly $63 million in the region for upcoming construction projects. She helped form the Business Education Connection and the Community Career Development Coalition programs, building the talent pipeline for local workforce.

Emily owned and operated three locations of the Patio, a successful local restaurant, for 19 years. In 2006, when the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally canceled its Ignacio activities, she oversaw a small group of volunteers who staged an event in 10 days. The Ignacio Chamber of Commerce organized the rally for another six years while she served as chairman and coordinator.

Emily was honored as the Rookie of the Year for the Economic Development Council of Colorado in 2021, and she was named Economic Development Leader of the Year for Western Slope Region 9 in 2009. In April 2022, she earned her Economic Development Institute (EDI) Certification at the University of Oklahoma.

Like many residents of Southwest Colorado, Emily enjoys the outdoors during her free time. She is the proud mother of three grown children and adores her five grandchildren.