Sal Pace

08/31/2026

A remarkable piece of family history that I’m grateful to see told 📃

Smithsonian Magazine this week published a new story about my grandfather, Francis Lowell Coolidge, and his service with the OSS during World War II - including missions behind enemy lines in both France and China.

He was one of the few Americans to parachute behind enemy lines in both theaters. Shot in France, he continued training the Resistance. Less than eight months later, he parachuted into China, where he spent 2½ months in a prison camp while my grandmother cared for their young children - including my mom - back home in Concord and gave birth to twins.

What stayed with me most in the story was the letter he wrote to my grandmother before parachuting into occupied France, not knowing whether he would come home. Our family has held onto that letter for more than 80 years, and Smithsonian is publishing it for the first time.

Worth a read if you’re interested in a little-known piece of WWII history.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-american-commando-parachuted-behind-enemy-lines-in-both-the-european-and-pacific-theaters-of-world-war-ii-180989396/

07/24/2026

CoCo Delivery Plan is the latest "breaking news." 🚆

Check it out—and if you've got opinions about Colorado's future, now's your chance to share them.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/public-feedback-requested-for-colorado-s-front-range-passenger-rail-service/vi-AA28y6of?ocid=socialshare

07/17/2026

Pace: "You know, just like Big Bird, we don't tell you what CoCo is. That's up to you to determine."

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview with Ryan Warner from Colorado Public Radio. I do a lot of press interviews; and it's rewarding to get unexpected fun questions.

Warner interviewed me from the keg and booze storage room behind the bar at Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant during our Brand Launch party last Sunday. The interview was quick, witty and fun. And, I don't mind being called affable either 🙂

Take a listen (or read)...

Front Range passenger rail, aka the Colorado Connector, is set to begin limited service in three years.

07/13/2026

ABC World News with David Muir recently covered my experience meeting with a distant cousin. Reverend Douglas Banks and I are both lineal descendants of Thomas Jefferson - one of us descended from his white family, one from his black family.

Trevor Hilliar and I lost our mom, Mary Coolidge, two weeks ago. She was casual and humble. Her friends never knew that her family lineage was like a history book. As Trevor and I sat with her closest friends after she passed, not one of them knew that she was a direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson (they assumed she was descended from Calvin. We're not. We're distant cousins). Mom's family lineage - our lineage - isn't something we talked publicly about. I haven't talked much about it in decades. But I have felt the calling over the past year to accept responsibility, and with that I'm trying to right some past wrongs.

Last year I went to Monticello for a gathering of Jefferson descendants when a young woman spoke up about the Hemings descendants being denied the access and property rights deeded to Thomas Jefferson's descendants. Sensing a meeting about to break down into contentious debate, I suggested the creation of a committee that became The Monticello Family Reconciliation Committee. I've chaired the group since; and a year later we are making strides to try to correct some past wrongs. This feels right after decades of having an uncomfortable feeling in my heart. It's amazing, when you make the right choice, it always feels right.

I see good things ahead for the committee. I think we can be a model for how America can face the dark parts of our history in a way that's based on acknowledging and facing the truth - both the good and bad - and done so with love in our hearts instead of fear.

Mom lived with quiet humility. I hope, in my own way, to carry her humility forward. Last week it was with a national TV audience watching, which definitely felt scary and vulnerable. I'm grateful to Briana Stewart the story's producer of ABC World News Tonight with David Muir for handling a tender subject with such grace. I never got a chance to tell my mom that this story was running. She passed too soon. But I think she is pleased looking from the spirit wrelm.

Descendants of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson, grapple with history and belonging.

07/09/2026

Friends, you can catch me tonight on ABC world news tonight for a story about family, reconciliation and the American story. It's a longer piece than the one they produced on July 4th

06/23/2026

Trevor and I are sad to share the passing of our mother, Mary Coolidge, who died peacefully at home in Essex in her sleep yesterday.

She left this world much as she lived in it: in a home with an open door, surrounded by family and friends.

The faces walking through the front door with stories and hugs are the same extended (largely non-blood) family who have been walking through the doors our entire lives. Nobody had the thick web of authentic relationships we call community more than Mom.

We are going to take some time to plan a celebration of life in the coming months.

In the meantime, be sure to forgive often and spend time with the people and family you love. Both values embraced by Mom.

09/05/2025

Check out buying my old house tomorrow: 124 Lincoln

Open House Showcase – This Saturday, Sept 6! ✨

Tour 4 incredible homes in 1 day 🏡💜
• 2816 Mirror Ave → Practically NEW withnew carpet, paint, new shutters + Solar | 11 AM – 1 PM
• 935 Spruce St → Clean + Affordable with Big Backyard | 11 AM – 1 PM
• 4153 Surfwood Ln #170 → Upgrades flooring, Low Maintenance with HOA | 2 PM – 4 PM
• 124 Lincoln Ave → Beautifully Remodeled + Move-In Ready | 2 PM – 4 PM

Come see which one feels like home sweet home!
📲 Questions? Call me anytime: 719-252-1252
✨ Buy with Beltran ✨

08/12/2025

I am honored to have Sal Pace's support. Sal's dedication to Southern Colorado is legendary, and his leadership in the legislature lifted up our state.

08/08/2025

Our beloved pro ultimate frisbee team has generously lent its name to Colorado’s newest NWSL expansion club 🙏

It’s a gesture rooted in respect, community, and a shared belief in growing women’s professional sports in our state.

This move is about collaboration and cheering each other on as our local sports scene evolves. Proud to be part of a moment where ultimate spirit leads the way.

Here’s to bold choices, unity in sport, and building something bigger together. 🥏⚽️💛

Check out the story that ran last week in The Pueblo Chieftain

A Pueblo-owned professional frisbee team is volunteering its name to Colorado's first National Women's Soccer League franchise. Here's why.

07/24/2025

We don’t do average 😎

Yesterday the Colorado Summit officially passed the name "Summit" to Denver’s new pro women’s soccer team: Denver Summit FC. Our team conducted TV interviews with almost every station in the Denver and Colorado Springs media markets. Reporters came to practice to film the players. We announced a new public naming contest at TheColoradoSummit.com that got picked up everywhere.

But if you think that kind of media coordination happens by accident, think again.

Tara Trujillo, my business partner at Peaks To Plains Government Relations and a 30-year press veteran, is the reason our frisbee team looked truly professional. I've worked in a lot of fast-moving environments, and I’ve never seen anyone manage press like Tara. Diligent, strategic, and respected by reporters across the state — she’s a master of her craft and the ultimate pro behind the scenes.

Congrats again to Denver Summit FC—I will be a season ticket holder because I'm truly impressed by your organization. It's been a pleasure to work with their amazing team through this process - including Asrat Alemu, Kaley Cohen & Brendan Hannan. They are smart, passionate and are building an awesome brand that will make Colorado proud.