Founders of Vail: Rod Slifer in conversation with Terry Minger @vailsymposium8150

Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago

In a state as young as Colorado, the town of Vail is especially new having only been incorporated in 1966. Few people get the opportunity to found and shape a new community: Colorado native Rod Slifer is such a person. Prior to his arrival in Vail, Slifer was in Aspen, teaching skiing in the winter and painting homes in the summer. After interviewing with Pete Siebert in 1962, Slifer was offered a position at the fledgling Vail ski resort. Slifer handled whatever was thrown at him which would form the foundation of a life spent in service to his community.

His contributions to the community cannot be overstated. He served as a member of the Vail Town Council for 16 years and the mayor of Vail for 11 years. He was a founding director of Alpine Banks of Colorado, director of Colorado Open Lands, vice-chair of Vail Valley Foundation and is one of the founders of the University of Colorado Real Estate Center and Real Estate Foundation. Slifer was also an early member of Eagle County and Vail Planning Commissions and Recreation District. Presciently, he was the first real estate agent in Vail.

The Vail Symposium is honored to host an evening with one of the founders of Vail. Slifer will be in conversation with Terry Minger, a Vail legend in his own right. Hear the stories and meet the characters from two people who were there at the beginning.

Founders of Vail: Rod Slifer in conversation with Terry Minger

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