Boulder Crest Foundation Celebrates Grand Opening of Boulder Crest Wyoming

Community gathered to honor Al Ellis’ generous gift and future programs serving veterans, first responders, and families across Wyoming and the Mountain West

BOULDER , WY, UNITED STATES, September 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Boulder Crest Foundation, the Home of Posttraumatic Growth and global leader in the development, delivery, study, and scale of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG)-based programs, celebrated the Grand Opening of Boulder Crest Wyoming on September 18, marking an important milestone in the transformation of a 207-acre ranch into a place of hope, connection, purpose, and growth for veterans, first responders, and their families.

The celebration brought together community leaders, veterans, first responders, supporters, and friends of Boulder Crest to recognize Navy veteran Albert “Al” Ellis and his family, whose extraordinary gift of the property made Boulder Crest Wyoming possible.

Ellis donated the ranch with a deeply personal vision: that the land he and his late wife, Sondra, spent years building and caring for would continue to serve others — particularly fellow veterans who have carried the weight of service. His gift provides Boulder Crest with an opportunity to extend its life-changing programs to veterans, first responders, and families across Wyoming and the broader Mountain West.

“Al’s gift is extraordinary not simply because of its size, but because of the intention behind it,” said Ken Falke, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Co-Founder and Chairman of Boulder Crest Foundation. “He understands service. He understands sacrifice. And he wanted something he spent decades building to continue serving others long after him. We are incredibly honored to carry that vision forward and create a place that will change lives for generations.”

Set against the Wind River Range, Boulder Crest Wyoming joins the Foundation’s campuses in Virginia, Arizona, and Texas. Over the coming year, Boulder Crest will continue adapting the property to support its Posttraumatic Growth programs, including Warrior PATHH for combat veterans and first responders, Family Rest & Reconnection, and Couples PATHH.

The vision for the campus reflects Boulder Crest’s belief that those who serve deserve more than simply learning to live with the effects of trauma — they deserve the opportunity to grow and live great lives in its aftermath.

Since 2013, Boulder Crest has reached more than 200,000 people through programs and training that challenge conventional approaches to trauma and adversity. The impact of that work is reflected in studies of Warrior PATHH participants, who report significant and sustained improvements in well-being, including a 58% reduction in PTSD symptoms.

“We know what is possible when people are given the opportunity to understand their struggle differently,” said Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest Foundation. “For more than a decade, we have watched veterans, first responders, and families transform struggle into strength and discover greater connection, purpose, and possibility. Boulder Crest Wyoming gives us the opportunity to bring that work closer to communities across this region. Al didn’t simply give us a piece of land — he entrusted us with the opportunity to create something that will serve people for generations. We intend to be worthy of that trust.”

During the celebration, Boulder Crest surprised keynote speaker Captain Charlie Plumb, U.S. Navy (Ret.), by announcing that the planned Warrior PATHH Training Center will be named the Captain Charlie Plumb Warrior PATHH Training Center. The tribute, announced on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, honors Plumb’s nearly six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, his longstanding friendship with Boulder Crest, and his enduring commitment to helping others find hope, purpose, and a path forward. The foundation for the new Training Center has been poured, with its full opening anticipated in September 2027.

Rooted in Wyoming, Built to Serve
The establishment of Boulder Crest Wyoming also represents an investment in the broader Wyoming community. The campus will create a new point of connection for veterans, first responders, families, community partners, and supporters throughout a largely rural region where distance can create additional barriers to accessing support.

Leading that work locally is Kris Searles, U.S. Army (Ret.), Executive Director of Boulder Crest Wyoming. An Army combat veteran, longtime member and leader of Tip Top Search and Rescue in western Wyoming, and Wyoming resident, Searles brings both lived experience and deep ties to the community to the development of the campus.

“Wyoming has a way of giving you room — room to think, to reconnect, and to see what’s possible,” said Searles. “My hope is that Boulder Crest Wyoming becomes a place our veterans, first responders, and families know belongs to them, but also a place this entire community feels connected to and proud of. We’re building something here that is rooted in Wyoming and designed to serve people for generations.”

Boulder Crest Wyoming will eventually offer Warrior PATHH, Boulder Crest’s flagship non-pharmacological, peer-delivered program for combat veterans and first responders; Family Rest & Reconnection, which provides families dedicated time and space to reconnect; and Couples PATHH, which brings the principles and practices of Posttraumatic Growth into relationships.

The September 18 celebration marked the beginning of the next phase for Boulder Crest Wyoming as the Foundation continues preparing the property for future programming. “This is just the beginning,” Goldberg said. “What happens on these 207 acres will ultimately reach far beyond them.”

About Boulder Crest Foundation
Boulder Crest Foundation exists to ensure that our nation’s veterans, service members, first responders, and their families can live great lives in the aftermath of trauma.

As the Home of Posttraumatic Growth, Boulder Crest leads the development, delivery, study, and scale of programs based on the science of Posttraumatic Growth — the positive psychological change that can emerge through the struggle with trauma and adversity.

Boulder Crest delivers Warrior PATHH, its flagship program for combat veterans and first responders; Struggle Well, which brings the science and practice of PTG to first responders, military units, and organizations; and family programs including Family Rest & Reconnection, Couples PATHH, and Military Teen Retreat. Through the Boulder Crest Institute for Posttraumatic Growth, the Foundation also advances the science and application of PTG and trains mental health clinicians, healthcare professionals, educators, peer-support personnel, and other helping professionals through its PTG Certification and PTG Qualification programs.

Since 2013, Boulder Crest has reached more than 200,000 people, helping transform the way individuals, families, organizations, and communities understand and respond to struggle.

Jen Grady
Boulder Crest Foundation
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