Beaver Run Resort’s Bob Barto receives Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association award

After almost two decades serving on the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association board of directors, a local Breckenridge resort manager has been recognized for his efforts.

Bob Barto, general manager of Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, was recently presented with the 2013 Chair Award from the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA).

“They kept it from me pretty well,” he said. “I didn’t know I was going to win it, and when the president of the board recognized me, well, it was a surprise.”

Chairman David Craig honored Barto with the award, which is given to a lodging leader who is viewed as “an absolute asset, enriching the association and supporting the initiatives and goals set forth in that year,” according to the release.

Christine O’Donnell, CHLA president, said the chair of the organization is in charge of selecting and giving out the award.

“[It] recognizes an individual who really stands out in the organization and is sometimes a quiet hero,” she said. “They care about the industry, the board, the association, their own communities. Bob is extremely deserving of this recognition.”

While on the board for the last 20 years, Barto has participated in membership and government affairs committees. Barto said he also remains active in fundraising efforts.

“In Summit County so many people give back to their community,” he said. “This is my way of giving back to the industry and the people in it.”

Barto began his career in the resort industry in 1979, when he worked as a dishwasher at Keystone Resort, and has worked at Beaver Run for the last 22 years.

The Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association has more than 650 members including corporate vendors and lodging properties, which represent more than 40,000 guestrooms in the state.

“I want to stay the course of being involved,” Barto said. “The more people we can get involved in the association, the more people in the industry who join, it’s our voice.”

Emily and David Garaffa of Design 2B Fit in Aspen were also recipients of a 2013 Chair Award.

Reported by:  SummitDaily.com