About Us
AWS Colorado Springs Charter
Although I’ve been a homebrewer since 1992, Brenda and I began the art of making our own wine in 2004 as part of a group of friends with similar interests. We have truly enjoyed both the technical and social interaction aspects of the “world of wine” for nearly 20 years. After creating our Fermentations Home Winemaking Center in 2011, Brenda and I joined American Wine Society in 2013 because we were interested in attending events that featured wine and education, and to network with others who have a sincere interest in wine. Although several other AWS chapters existed in the Denver metro area, their monthly meetings and events were usually at times or days when we weren’t available to attend. The distance and time for travel to those chapters posed an obstacle for us as well.
Many of our winemaking clients and friends in Colorado Springs expressed similar interest in forming a group focused on wine appreciation, so we jointly established this Chapter with initially 20 members (instead of the minimum 8). In 2014 we prepared and submitted a Chapter Charter and Bylaws to the national American Wine Society organization, and were approved without hesitation. Since then we have grown to over 116 affiliated members, and we remain very active in developing and promoting AWS throughout Colorado Springs and beyond.
Tim Christensen
Chapter Chair
Our Charter
Chapter Goals
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Established as the AWS of Colorado Springs - January 2015
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Grow the Chapter annually through inclusion
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Offer exciting activities for members and guests
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Each event will include a wine education component
Chapter Mission
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Engage wine enthusiasts in activities and events that promote social interaction, discussion, and enjoyment of wine
Building Interest in Our Chapter
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Promote membership in the AWS during interaction with other wine enthusiasts
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Invite prospective members to attend monthly meetings and events
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Identify ourselves as members of AWS during external and internal wine events and activities
Chapter Structure
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Reserve 7:00pm on the first Tuesday of each month for regular chapter meetings and events, subject to change as members may decide.
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Identify volunteer leaders to perform organizational tasks such as conducting meetings, communications, event planning, financial management, etc.
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Members commit to join AWS as national members, and affiliate with the Colorado Springs chapter or other desired chapters.
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Costs of events will be paid by members to the chapter in advance. No refunds starting one week prior to the event.
Potential Event Types
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Guest speakers and presenters
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Wine tasting events
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Food and Wine pairing dinners
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Winemaking competitions
Chapter Leadership
We welcome our two newest Board Members to AWS of Colorado Springs! Sharon Bradley is our new Finance Chairperson, and Holden Clapp is our new Events Chairperson. Thank you for volunteering to help lead our Chapter!
Tim Christensen
Chapter Chair
Brenda Christensen
Communications Chair
Holden Clapp
Events Chair
Sharon Bradley
Finance Chair