The Woman Who Couldn't Retire

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Beth McCorkle — a self-described "failure at retirement" who somehow does more for this community now than most people do in a full-time career.

Beth officially retired in 2021. It didn't stick. A Colorado native, she moved to Montrose 14 years ago with her wife, Chris, drawn to the farming-community feel after losing both their parents and wanting a fresh start in a smaller town. She's never slowed down since.

These days, Beth works part-time for Region 10's Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), recruiting volunteers 55 and older for local nonprofits like Partners, HopeWest, and the Ute Museum. She also leads volunteer efforts for the American Red Cross across Delta, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, serves as an alternate on the Montrose Planning Commission, holds a district-level leadership role with United Women in Faith, and somehow still has time to be Vice President of Montrose Pride.

Dennis and Rob also talk about:

• Her early Montrose career at Montrose Memorial Hospital and the Daily Press

• A wild story about Travel Recon, a military logistics company that briefly set up in Montrose — and never paid her

• How the Montrose Planning Commission actually works, and why showing up to meetings matters

• The Montrose Pride Festival — this Saturday from 3-6pm at the amphitheater, with vendors, drag performances, and a band traveling in from Denver

• The city council's decision not to issue a formal proclamation for Pride, and what that decision really meant

• Why Montrose Police and private security show up every year to keep the festival safe

• Pushing back on the negativity she's seen creeping into local social media

• Swimming with dolphins in Mexico, gardening, and monthly trips with her wife

• Rapid fire: sunrise at the Black Canyon, 100-degree days over snow, and green chili over barbecue sauce (the right answer, obviously)

If you've ever wondered who's actually behind the scenes making this community run — recruiting volunteers, sitting on commissions, organizing festivals — meet Beth McCorkle. Retirement's loss is Montrose's gain.

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• Atlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS

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