Gary Wilkinson
I was born in Nyack, New York, and raised for my first 11 years in the hamlet of Valley Cottage. Father was a carpenter and mother was a homemaker. Moved to Evergreen because of asthma, and lived there 5 years before moving to Frisco, where I finished high school at Summit High in a class of 26. Member of the ski team in high school, and we won the state championship in 1968 for the first time for Summit High. Went on to attending Colorado School of Mines and received a BSc degree in mining engineering. Was a member of their ski team as well. After college began a career in mining at the Climax Mine working in the open pit as well as a couple years underground. I had begun coaching alpine ski racing during college and continued that coaching at Loveland Ski Area on weekends. After 12 years, the mine closed down because of low prices in May 1986. A friend of mine soon after offered me a job working for Robillard and Assoc. as a surveyor. That started another career that led to me getting my professional license in Colorado and becoming the county surveyor for Summit County. It also began my interest in land use and how decisions were being made for development in the county. I was appointed to the Tenmile Planning Commission as well as the Countywide Planning Commission. I became interested in town politics and ran for town council, winning in 2004. This led to me becoming mayor from 2012 to 2020. During this time, Climax was reopening and I returned there to supervise the drilling and blasting operations. After leaving the mine in 2019, I have enjoyed traveling while working part-time for Range West surveyors helping them during busy times. I have 2 daughters from my first marriage and 3 grandchildren. Currently married to Joyce Burford and have enjoyed many trips to wonderful places with her.