For 35 years, spring in the Yampa Valley is welcomed with daffodils – signifying hope, and a commitment to supporting compassionate end of life care in our community through the annual Hospice Daffodils fundraiser.

Susanne Bostrom started the fundraiser back in 1991 after the loss of her father and her own experience with his hospice care in California. “My father, Bob Kane, died in 1991 of pancreatic cancer at home in front of his fireplace with home Hospice care,” says Bostrom. “In the early 90’s most of us in Steamboat Springs were not familiar with Hospice. Experiencing Hospice with my father made me realize how important it was, and I wanted to pitch in. Owning Alpine Floral & Atrium, flowers have always been my focus.”

Around the same time, Jan Fritz, a long-time nurse and caregiver in the Yampa Valley, started Hospice in Steamboat Springs and is credited with getting certified hospice care available to locals. The two came together and the Hospice Daffodils fundraiser was created to raise crucial funds and awareness for compassionate, comfort-oriented end-of-life care for anyone in our community who needs it. “Hospice is an approach to care that focuses on quality of life,” says Jan Fritz.  “Hospice embraces this thought: As long as life is, what can be done for comfort, creating memorable moments and planning for a good death.” 

“Daffodils are as natural as a flower can be,” says Bostrom. “They can be cut and shipped, maintaining freshness for days if kept refrigerated, and then once the base of the stem is cut and receives water it will slowly open. There are few flowers capable of this.” As the first flower of spring, they are also considered “Heralds of Hope” – a sign of better days ahead.

“That first year, Suzanne and I planned to order 500 bunches of daffodils and were nervous thinking ‘can we really sell them all?’” says Fritz. “But they were such a welcome sign of spring and hope in mid-March, that the community totally embraced the idea of seeing these happy signs of spring after the months of snow.”

In the beginning, Bostrom’s shop, Alpine Floral & Atrium, would shut down and become daffodils central for a week each spring with volunteers wrapping and preparing all the flowers into bunches of ten to be sold for $5 a bunch.

Through different growers, and increasing flower amounts, the event has gone from selling 500 bunches of 10 blossoms, to 5,500 bunches of 10 blossoms each year – or 55,000 flowers adorning our community in support of Hospice. The price has stayed the same from the beginning to ensure that our community members can enjoy the flowers and support a good cause.

In addition, local artist Barb Ross, has contributed original watercolor daffodil paintings for the past 25 years to help promote the fundraiser, and to sell as greeting cards. The unique cards have become as beloved as the flowers themselves and are available to purchase with daffodils at $20 for a pack of five beautiful cards featuring her work.

“For all loving families who are to experience the death of loved ones, may they find comfort in having Hospice staff giving guidance, comfort and making their last days with loved ones meaningful,” says Fritz. “The daffodils remind us to remember those loved ones who have died, and that we will all need compassionate care in our future years.”

Fundraisers like Hospice Daffodils help ensure that Northwest Colorado Health can continue to provide care for anyone in the community who needs it. The non-profit has also launched a three year campaign to raise $3 million in support of these vital health services. Each year, staff travel to all corners of Routt and Moffat County to deliver Hospice care, providing 1,453 Hospice visits in 2025 —all regardless of ability to pay. This commitment comes at a cost in unreimbursed care, due not only to the high number of uninsured and underinsured patients, but also to reimbursement models that fail to cover the true cost of care. Ongoing community support is essential to ensure that the region’s most vulnerable residents can continue to age in place and die with dignity.

Jeff Morehead has been a Hospice patient with Northwest Colorado Health since last March. His wife, Lura Briscoe, is his caregiver. She shares: “It’s a hard thing, as a caregiver you find strength you never knew you had. But Hospice is a wonderful resource, that is actually comforting in death. It’s made a big difference in his quality of life. It gives us a little security, and he’s not quite as isolated.”

This year’s Hospice Daffodils fundraiser will take place on Wednesday, March 11 with pre-ordered deliveries going out that day, as well as sales tables at City Market in Steamboat Springs and Craig, Hayden Mercantile, The Clark Store, Bonfilgio’s Drug and Steamboat Ace Hardware. Community members have the option to pre-order online or with a business order and can choose to pick up at Northwest Colorado Health offices or have their orders of 5 bunches or more delivered.

“It is with great pride and gratitude that I see the event continue,” says Bostrom. “I always say it is 5,000+ hugs, kisses and memories of my father. Thank you, Yampa Valley, for helping Hospice grow to comfort and help so many of our friends.”

Place your order for Hospice Daffodils, or donate to Hospice, at northwestcoloradohealth.org/daffodils.