NWRM CASA Honors Judge O’Hara and Founders at 15th Anniversary

Steamboat Springs —The chandelier in the Thunderhead Lodge lobby catches the afternoon light, casting long, fractured shadows across the polished floor. It’s the kind of quiet luxury that feels out of place next to the gritty reality of child welfare, yet here it is, the backdrop for a celebration of fifteen years of advocacy.

If you’ve been following the news in Routt, Moffat, and Grand counties, you might be asking: Who actually gets the credit for keeping the lights on for abused and neglected kids when the state system falls short?

The answer, according to the Steamboat Pilot, is a mix of judges, realtors, and volunteers who have stuck around for the long haul. Northwest Rocky Mountain CASA (NWRM CASA) is holding its 2026 500/15 Celebration this Saturday at the Steamboat Resort, marking both its 15th anniversary and the 500 children it has served since its founding.

It’s not just a party; it’s a recognition ceremony. The organization is handing out three distinct honors: the CASA Leadership Award, the Friends of CASA Award, and the Board Emeritus designation. Each recipient represents a different pillar of the nonprofit’s survival.

Take Judge Michael O’Hara, for instance. He’s receiving the Leadership Award for his role in judicial affairs. Appointed to the 14th Judicial District by Governor Bill Owens in 2003 and retiring in 2025, O’Hara served as Chief Judge for over two decades. The Pilot notes that he was instrumental in helping form NWRM CASA in 2007 and remained an "untiring supporter" for more than twenty years. Without that initial judicial backing, the nonprofit might never have gotten off the ground.

Then there are the private donors. Jon and Wendy Wade of The Steamboat Group real estate firm are taking home the Friends of CASA Award. They’ve been champions of the organization for almost a decade. According to the release, the Wades and their company have funded dancers for the major "CASA Dancing with the Stars" fundraising event. They serve as the sole Corporate Sponsor and led the first matching campaign as the lead donor. That’s the kind of steady, behind-the-scenes support that keeps the fundraising engine running.

Finally, there are the board members who laid the groundwork. Sandy Miller and Kim Linin are both being honored as Board Emeritus. Miller joined the board in 2011 as one of three members to launch the newly organized nonprofit and served for eight years, including a term as president. Linin, however, was the founder of the organization in 2007. The Pilot details her nearly two decades of service: she championed the organization as the first Chairperson of the Community Development Committee, signed the initial MOU with the 14th Judicial District, hired the first Executive Director, and organized fundraising events in Grand County. She also established the "Dancing with the Stars" fundraiser, which has raised almost $2 million in 15 years.

These aren’t just titles; they’re acknowledgments of the specific labor required to build a regional nonprofit from scratch. The event highlights the collaborative effort between the judiciary, the private sector, and dedicated volunteers. As the honorees take the stage at Thunderhead Lodge, the focus shifts from the past achievements to the continued need for their support in the 14th Judicial District. The celebration ends, but the work for the next 500 children begins immediately after.