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AROUND TOWN: Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce starts with fun before a busy new year

By January 18, 2026 | updated 2 hours ago

Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce Gala

Upending national trends and negative business news, last year had been a very good year for the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and major strategic plans are in place. With that announcement, SCWCC planned its first Holiday Evening Gala in December to usher out 2025 as they announced expansive plans in place for 2026.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve for the past decade as president and CEO of SCWCC,” Lola Woloch had told the holiday crowd at Cheyenne Mountain Resort. “I am proud to report that SCWCC is stronger than ever! We are the catalyst — raising the bar for what a Chamber of Commerce can be and continuing to champion economic growth for women-owned businesses and women in the workforce across Southern Colorado.”

Changes and growth had begun with a focus group right before year’s end and by this first month of 2026 the chamber had started its expansion beyond Colorado Springs. “After successful meetings with Pueblo business and community leaders and the launch of a Pueblo women’s business focus group, we are pleased to announce plans to expand into Pueblo with quarterly programs. The women want a voice in Pueblo.” Woloch credited working with Pueblo’s Julie Rodriguez, SCWCC board member and CEO of Pueblo Community College Foundation. Rodriguez said Pueblo looks forward to this partnership.

Woloch told gala guests the SCWCC Foundation had hosted a successful first golf tournament, which, like the gala, raised new funding for educational scholarships and other programs.

In addition, “To support our growth, SCWCC moved into a larger headquarters, now located at 1175 Kelly Johnson Blvd.,” Woloch shared. There is also increased staff for increased programming, including for young professionals.

There were cheers for the popular program since 1994, the chamber’s Business Leaders of the Year Accolades, which has grown substantially every year as it honors the top women in business.

Gala awards went to Candy Vandenburg, “a (SCWCC) cherished board member for a number of years” who had retired after 40+ years as a business banker at Ent Credit Union.

A “Chamber Champion” award went to Dirk Hobbs’ Colorado Media Group.

.

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala: Robyn Douty, Courtney Douty, Regina Lewis. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Board Chair Kathie Seerup and Steve Seerup. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Amanda Penny, Natalie Myers, Marquesa Hobbs. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, award recipient Candy Vandenburg. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Natalie Gowen registered the live auction bids. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Jake Fitzpatrick and Cassie Fitzpatrick. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Codi Osborne and Cade Sanders. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Kevin Davis and Melissa Brown. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, David Allman and Gina Allman. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Miriam Neel, left, and Donna Carlson. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Sabrina Wienholtz, left, and Kristy Rhodes. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, Bri Newland and Ted Hayduk. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala, laughter as Jake and Cassie Fitzpatrick were photobombed by Cade Sanders and Codi Osborne. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Linda Navarro

Reporter

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