Tara Walker capitalized on the flexibility her and her husband’s jobs offered for them to work virtually anywhere in Colorado and moved her family from the Denver area to Granby. As a teacher, her passion for education is only eclipsed by her love for her family and the performing arts.
Question: Are you a Grand County native? If not where you from and what brought you to Grand County?
A: I am not a Grand County Native. I grew up in Southwest Kansas and moved to Colorado in 1997 where I finished high school and college. My husband is a Colorado native and we discovered Grand County and we couldn’t get over all that it offered: skiing at Granby Ranch or Winter Park, biking, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, Snow Mountain Ranch, Devil’s Thumb, great restaurants and a welcoming community. We decided we wanted to raise our kids here and we were able to do that since we both worked from home. We could have lived anywhere in Colorado, but nowhere is like Grand County!
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career? What do you love most about what you do?
A: I am currently an online elementary teacher for Colorado Connections Academy. When my children were young, I wished that I could teach, but have more flexibility to be with my family and I loved tutoring for Sylvan. Online teaching fell into my lap and met all my needs. I could individualize instruction and help students grow and learn. Not only that, but it allowed our family more flexibility and we were able to move to Granby.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Grand County and what are your favorite meals there?
A: My favorite restaurant is Pepe Osaka’s Fish Taco Tequila Bar and Grill in Winter Park and their Baja Tilapia tacos are amazing. Their seafood is super fresh because the owners also own a sushi restaurant. Another favorite restaurant is Maverick’s in Granby Colorado. I love their steak salad or any of their burgers. For breakfast, we love O-A Bistro in Grand Lake or The Sagebrush in Grand Lake.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Grand County?
A: We bought our house in Granby Ranch in March of 2003, but didn’t move here full time until 2012. My husband and I worked online for companies based out of Denver for most of that time until 2017, when my husband began to work for Mountain Parks Electric.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Grand County? And why?
A: I can’t say one person, but I would say that the summer actors at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater always blow me away. They have performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on TV or movies, and National Tours, and we get them in our local theater in Grand Lake! The actors are always willing to shake hands or answer questions, and I treasure opportunities to get to know any of them better. I highly recommend attending a show and meeting one of the many talented actors that perform at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in Grand Lake every summer.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I would travel to Australia to spend time with my best friend in Melbourne, Australia. My most special memories are of the beaches in Australia along the Sunshine Coast or walking through the city of Melbourne and enjoying the sporting events and the cuisine.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: Last of the Mohicans is a favorite movie, and Star Trek Next Generation is a favorite TV show.
Q: What advice would you give someone moving to Grand County?
A: Be open to trying all the outdoor and community activities we offer. There are a lot of fun free events always going on in the community, whether it is a concert, parade, fireworks, a community meal, or an opportunity to attend a forum to educate yourself on a new topic. The 4th of July parade and events is Americana at it’s best. Go to the Buffalo BBQ and Parade in Grand Lake in the summer and have fun in the splash zone. If you are open to trying new things, there is always something to do in Grand County. The people are also loving and giving, so volunteer if you can, you will meet new friends that you enjoy spending time with while doing something worthwhile to help others.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I want to watch Beetlejuice and Hadestown on Broadway in NYC with my family.
Q: What is your go-to band or favorite music when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: Enya when I need to relax, 80’s music when I’m in a good mood, and the Hamilton soundtrack when I want my family to sing along with me.
Q: What do you like to do during your free time?
A: I like to read, hike, camp, sing, crotchet, and play board games with family and friends.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you take them for lunch?
A: I would love to take Sharon Sachs to lunch at O-A Bistro in Grand Lake. Sharon is an actress that has been in theater, television shows, and movies. She is currently playing Madame Morrible in the Wicked National Tour. She also played Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in Grand Lake in 2018. My daughter Zandra was an orphan in the production, and Sharon was so talented, friendly, and willing to share her knowledge. When Sharon was in Denver performing in Wicked, she gave us a backstage tour and went to tea with my daughter and the other orphan actresses from Annie. I’d like to return the favor and take her to lunch.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Grand County?
A: I love the 4th of July celebrations in Granby! There is a parade followed by a BBQ in the park with local vendors and fun games and races for kids to enjoy. I love the live music in the park and free face painting. At the end of the event, the fire department sprays all the kids down with hoses. In the evening, you can enjoy the Granby rodeo and fireworks. It’s my favorite local event.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: I see myself teaching online and living in Granby with my husband. I hope my girls come back to live in Grand County. I want to continue to participate with Rotary and volunteer in my community.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I did an investigative report for a college course on Reverend Sun Myung Moon and his cult. The cult is well known for its mass weddings. They wanted me to join their cult, and I was proposed to, but I declined.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
A: Corona Pass in the summer with wildflowers and the waterfall. It’s accessible by four-wheel drive and is outside winter Park. It’s often chosen for senior pictures and wedding photos for a reason. Just stunning.
Q: If you were cast in a movie and could choose your co-star, who would it be?
A: Angelina Jolie because I admire her humanitarian efforts, and she’s just beautiful and talented.
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: Housekeeper.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: My husband inspires me to be better. He loves me and believes in me even when I don’t.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: The smell of fresh-baked bread and the smell of fresh lemons.
Q: What is that one business that you would like to see in grand County that currently isn’t here.
A: I would love to see a School of Rock where students could form their own bands to perform around the county or could take music or voice lessons.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Family, Security, and Warmth.
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