HighFIVE: Carolyn Peters

Building a community where everyone feels supported has been a life-long focus for Carolyn Peters. A massive supporter of the role of parks and recreation within our communities, with a special interest in tennis as an invaluable component, her background has given her the passion and the platform to improve the quality of life for thousands of people.

Currently the Highlands Ranch Metro District Manager and longtime USTA Colorado Board Member, Carolyn served as the USTA Colorado President in 2016-17 and was simultaneously the President of the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association.

“Parks and Recreation is all about community engagement,” she explained. “It’s about improving health and wellness and doing that through social engagement.”

That mission has been personal for Carolyn who grew up in Montclair, NJ, as the daughter of a police officer who worked long hours and whose mother didn’t drive.

“It was the Parks and Recreation program and people who made sure I was involved,” she remembered. “They would pick me up and take me to practices and tournaments.”

That experience shaped her own life and she dedicated her career to building facilities and    programs that could give people a place to be involved in their community in a healthy way.

Now in her 43rd year of dedication to parks and recreation, she said that she’s worked hard to ensure tennis has always been a strong component of the programming.

“Tennis is sport that families can play and life-long friendships are developed,” she said. “I am still best friends with people I met on the court as young player.”

Originally getting connected to USTA Colorado through outreach, she said people like Kristy Harris, Community Development Director Marketing Director for USTA Colorado, have been key in building strong programming.

“Kristy does just a fabulous job getting everyone involved,” she said.

A passionate athlete who has played many sports including golf and softball, Carolyn said tennis has always held a special place.

“It always felt very natural,” she said. “It’s a life-long sport that everyone can play.”

She said that tennis has done a great job of staying aware and making changes, including junior play and evolutions such as Pop Tennis, which she now enjoys. Pop Tennis is played on shorter tennis courts with shorter and solid racquets, lower compression tennis balls and the same scoring and rules as tennis -except for one underhand serve.

As for what’s coming down the road for Carolyn, retirement isn’t a word she’s using anytime soon. “I know I want to stay engaged in tennis. It’s the one thing I know for sure,” she said.

MidFirst Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks and this combination of size and private ownership provides our customers with a special brand of banking. We are a strong supporter of the communities we serve, investing time and money in important educational, charitable and civic organizations. Our volunteerism is powered by our employees from all of the communities in which we live and share with our customers. MidFirst Bank is a proud partner of USTA Colorado.