Reputation Management

  • Commfluent created and executed on a successful communication plan forthe founder and namesake of Slifer Designs, Beth Slifer, to announce her retirement and transition of business operations.
  • Similarly, after 25 years of marketing agency ownership and more than 35 years in the industry, Linda Hill, president of Edwards, Colo.-based Hill Aevium, wanted to announce her retirement and sale of her firm to returning Vail Valley resident, Megan Talbott.Commfluent executed on a successful media relations plan, as well as internal and client/vendor communications.

Edwards River Park

Commfluent in 2022 garnered Eagle County and community support for approval of an approximate 440-unit mixed-use development facing significant NIMBY backlash (more than half of the homes are deed-restricted), Edwards River Park, on a former gravel mining parcel in Edwards, Colo. (followed by successful support for an amendment to the approved Planned Unit Development in 2025.)

Aptitude Development placed the site under contract in late 2022. The new development team worked diligently to bring this ambitious project to life. While the initial effort focused on implementing the originally approved PUD, it quickly became clear that difficult building conditions and significant infrastructure improvements, coupled with protection of the riparian areas, were required to move the project forward. As a result, the team proposed minor amendments to the PUD to better align with the current conditions and ensure the successful realization of the project.

The development site, spanning 53.27 acres, presents unique challenges as it is located more than 40 feet below Highway 6 on the north side. Formerly the B&B gravel pit, the terrain adds complexity to the project. The Edwards River Park development is designed with the local community in mind, ensuring that those who serve and contribute to the area have a place to call home. Of the 440 residential units, 270 are deed-restricted, prioritizing housing for local employees, including county and town workers, firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, and others who are essential to the fabric of the Eagle River Valley community. ERP was approved with a 2,500-square-foot childcare facility. Aptitude was approved to put their 10,000 square feet of approved commercial to a relocated Family Learning Center (FLC), with 2,500 square feet of outdoor space.

Military Installation Development Authority

Notably, in 2018, MIDA partnered with Wasatch County and the Air Force to create a Morale Welfare Recreation hotel in a new, year-round resort setting in between Deer Valley Resort and the Jordanelle Reservoir, as well as to create positive economic impact for the county and the State of Utah. Wasatch County invited MIDA in to do what it does best – facilitate public-private partnerships and help the county execute on its 40-year-old master plan for the Jordanelle recreation area. Construction is underway today throughout the Military Recreation Facility (MRF) Project Area, established in 2012, following the completion by Extell Development and opening of the MWR hotel, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, in November of 2024. The 381-room conference hotel includes a block of 100 Salute to Service rooms that are available on a preferred rate basis for our nation’s service men and women, whether on active duty or retired, Reserve or National Guard, Disabled Veterans, and actively serving Department of Defense personnel, as well as access to the grand conference room space and a dedicated concierge space, North Star. Service member guests staying at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley have the opportunity to purchase day lift tickets to ski Deer Valley Resort for up to 75% off the window rate. In addition, there are hotel parking, spa, food and beverage (excluding alcohol), and ski rental discounts for service member guests.

The hotel is part of a larger, master-planned development on both the west and east sides of Highway 40 within the MRF project area that features four-season recreation opportunities, including skiing, a vast trail system, horseback riding, boating and golf. The recreational activities are available to the public, and military guests receive discounted rates for these activities. In August of 2023, Alterra Mountain Company announced it would be the mountain operator of the Mayflower ski terrain (via a lease agreement with the landowner, Extell) by expanding Deer Valley Resort with the 3,700 Mayflower acreage. The expansion more than doubles Deer Valley’s skiable terrain, adding 16 new lifts and a new 10-passenger gondola, affirming the resort’s commitment to delivering exceptional guest services and a ski-only experience with limited daily skier counts.

Traer Creek LLC

With government and public relations strategic planning, Commfluent is currently working with Traer Creek on a series of amendments with the Town of Avon to the Village (at Avon) Planned Unit Development (PUD.) The  2025 amendments aim to deliver on future mutual goals based on prudent short- and long-term planning.

The Village is a large PUD, comprised of more than 1,700 acres, and stretches from Planning Area A, just east of Chapel Square, to Planning Area I, located behind EagleVail across the Eagle River, and north up to Planning Area J and Planning Area K on the mountain up to U.S. Forest Service property. Among other things, the PUD consists of up to 2,400 homes and 825,000 square feet of commercial space, excluding Planning Area I. The PUD also provides a Community Housing Plan that will be amended as part of the current PUD amendment application. The Village was annexed into the town in 1998 with construction of public infrastructure beginning in 2002 and continuing to today.