| Dave Kosley attributes much of his outlook on life to his volunteer service while at a young and formative age. Working with young people with developmental disabilities left Kosley forever thankful for of the gifts in his life. It also gave him a deep appreciation of the things, often simple, that bring joy and meaning to our lives. The White House Ranch (now Rock Ledge Ranch) was home base for the day camp. Kosley not only loved working with and bonding with the "campers," but also reveled in being on the campus which was dedicated to the sole purpose of hosting the camp. Not many people have been able to cook in the kitchen of the ranch, nor have sleep overs in the massive Palmer bed upstairs! Having a daughter led Kosley toward the Wagon Wheel Girl Scout Council Board of Directors, even though daughter Elspeth did't last long in the ranks of a Girl Scout. His most memorable time in service came when the Council's camp, Sky High Ranch, had to acquire water rights. The camp had previously been "mooching" from a forest service well across Highway 67 from the camp. When Kosley changed careers in the late 90s he sought out an employee with a disability. He hired Todd, a young man with Down Syndrome, through a Goodwill program. Dave's days at the White House Ranch day camp still pulled at his moral compass and appreciation of all people. Dave and Todd were a common sight on the streets of downtown, sweeping trash, planting flowers, and putting up christmas decorations, to name just a few. Though a paid position, Kosley viewed the job as important to the community. It was through the friendship with Todd that Dave joined the Special Olympics movement. Whether in a vigorous game of soccer, or a relaxed session of bocci ball, Dave relished the camaraderie of his fellow athletes! Of all of Dave's community service, that of being on and eventually charing the Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission was the one he is happy not to repeat. While many great projects, both private and public, came to fruition under the watchful eye of the Planning Commission, Kosley learned just how inconsiderate people can be (at times) of public officials, even volunteers! |
| Dave Kosley started working at the Chinook Bookshop, a Colorado Springs landmark on North Tejon, in 1972 while attending Palmer High School. Dave's most beloved position at the Chinook was that of a selling maps, particularly topographic maps of the Colorado Mountains. He worked there in all capacities until 1998. At that time he remained downtown and managed the Downtown Colorado Springs Business Improvement District. This work included many aspects, but Kosley particularly enjoyed plowing the sidewalks after every snow storm. He met his wife, Beth, there and together they were instrumental in starting the public sculpture and art projects that still enhance Downtown Colorado Springs. The first sculpture Dave installed for the project, a massive steel bison created by Richard Jagoda, still stands at the corner of Cascade and Pikes Peak. Kosley had dreamed of becoming a school teacher for many years before the time was right to change paths. Sharing nature with his daughter, Elspeth, inspired Kosley to teach. He remembers sitting with her one evening, watching the bees come and go from the backyard hives. After listening to her daddy describe the laissez faire flying style of the drone bees, Elspeth became hysterical with delight. Kosley thought the three year old child had been stung. But no, she had spotted a drone in flight! Kosley's fate as a teacher was sealed. The fastest track into the teaching profession took Kosley Back to Colorado College, where he completed a second college degree in the same zip code he had grown up in. This time a Masters in Elementary Education. He taught at The Colorado Springs School for many years and particularly enjoyed taking students to learn about the marvels of the Ancestral Puebloans in Mesa Verde. Kosley plans to retire around 2023 after teaching at Columbine Elementary School in Woodland Park. Kosley believes that public education is essential to our Democratic Society.
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| Kosley is far from a mountain bagger, in fact really has no interest in it, especially now that the 14er trails are generally choked with people. This is not to say that he has not explored many a nook and cranny in the shadow of Pikes Peak. In 1972 Kosley and his great friend Jim Dunn jokingly started the AdAboy Club. They had the habit of heading up Barr Trail after the AdAmAn Fellows had departed (sometimes waiting until the 31st) to seek out a worthy camp site from which to enjoy an up-close view of the fireworks. Kosley and Dunn, both in high school at the time, learned the subtitles of winter climbing and camping in those early adventures. Keeping your boots from freezing was an important lesson. The lads soon learned there was no need to stay awake until midnight for the show. The first mortar explosion brought their not-too-soundly-sleeping heads forth from their bags. Of those early expeditions Kosley fondly remembers camping in Bottomless Pit one snowy night. When the clouds parted to reveal the full moon, sunglasses were in order against the glare of the 1500 foot snow covered walls. Rumor has it that the AdAmAn climbers could hear their giddy laughter through the night! |