History
Celebrating 20 Years of Erie Rotary
It all started in 1905 with Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney who believed bringing people from different professions together could spark ideas and service. That simple vision became Rotary International—a worldwide network of members and partners serving communities across 200+ countries.
In May 2006, that same spirit took root in Erie, Colorado, where local leaders formed the Erie Rotary Club to serve, connect, and make a difference close to home and around the world.
Then came a defining moment. In 2021, during the pandemic, our club had dwindled to just two members and faced the loss of its charter. With support from our Rotary District leaders, a call went out to the community. Fifteen people stepped forward—nearly all brand new to Rotary—and joined what we now fondly call “Erie 2.0.” Soon after, one of the remaining members moved away, and the other passed, making this truly a full restart. We were fortunate the original club left a strong financial foundation for both the club and its 501(c)(3), giving us a platform to rebuild with purpose along with ongoing service projects in partnership with the Town of Erie.
Today, we’re nearly 30 members strong and growing—supporting youth, improving public spaces, partnering locally, and contributing globally through The Rotary Foundation. As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2026, we carry both pride in how far we’ve come and momentum for what’s next.
We invite others to be part of this next chapter—where friendship, service, and a shared commitment to community continue to create meaningful impact.
“WHATEVER ROTARY MAY MEAN TO US, TO THE WORLD IT WILL BE KNOWN BY THE RESULTS IT ACHIEVES.”