Colin Hilton, an influential figure in winter sports in Utah for decades, died on Friday at home, the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation said on Saturday. Hilton was 58 and the president and CEO of the foundation. A cause of death was not released. The foundation oversees the Utah Olympic Park, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center and the Utah Olympic Oval. He was one of the state’s most notable winter-sports executives and a veteran of the organizing committee that staged the 2002 Winter Olympics. Hilton after the Games of 2002 worked in economic development for the Park City municipal government, overseeing construction projects like the China Bridge garage expansion and the recreation complex at Quinn’s Junction. He left the Marsac Building in 2006 to return to the winter-sports field and remained there until his death. Hilton was key as the Utah Olympic Park aggressively revamped itself and worked through financial issues that arose amid challenges like increasing costs. The work included the development of the Residences at Utah Olympic Park, which offer housing that is subsidized for athletes who are training, coaches and people who work for the foundation. He also had an important role in the bid committee that secured the award of the 2034 Winter Olympics for Salt Lake City. The Park City area, including the Utah Olympic Park, will have an outsized role in the Games, as was the case in 2002. Hilton was a supporter of the ski industry and sometimes viewed the industry through the lens of preparations for the Winter Olympics. Hilton, notably, publicly supported lift upgrades at Park City Mountain during a long-running dispute about the work. The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation on Saturday released statements from members of the organization’s leadership: • “Colin’s remarkable leadership benefited our entire state as he served as a steward of Utah’s living Olympic legacy. He more than anyone else ensured that Utah’s Olympic imprint remained active, relevant, future-oriented, and connected to the communities it serves. His considerable talents were only surpassed by his love of family, for UOLF colleagues, and for the community at large. On behalf of the UOLF board, we extend our love to Colin’s family and the many people who had the privilege of working at his side,” said Natalie Gochnour, the chair of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation Board. • “I’m struggling to find the right words for the loss of Colin. He was my colleague, my leader and most importantly my friend. Colin was a long-time mentor before he became my boss. I learned an enormous amount from him, and I know I’m only one of many people whose lives and careers are better because Colin was part of them. Right now, my heart is with his family and with our UOLF team. We are going to miss him deeply,” said Calum Clark, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation chief operating officer. The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation said its leadership has approached Clark about serving as the acting CEO and president. Utah 2034, the organizers of the upcoming Winter Games in Utah, joined the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and Colin Hilton’s family in mourning his passing. “His work helped carry the legacy of the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games forward through the venues, programs and relationships that continue to serve athletes and communities across the state,” Utah 2034 said in a statement Saturday.  “Hilton brought that same experience to Utah 2034, where his knowledge of the venues and the people behind them was an important part of the work to prepare for the Games’ return. Few people understood more clearly what it took to turn an Olympic legacy into something that remained useful and relevant long after the closing ceremony,” the statement said. “For those who worked with Colin, his loss is deeply personal. He brought energy, conviction and a long view to the work, and he built relationships across Utah and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement that will endure. Utah 2034 stands with Colin’s family and our colleagues at UOLF as they process this loss.” “I’m heartbroken by the loss of Colin Hilton,” Utah 2034 CEO Brad Wilson said. “Colin gave decades of his life to Utah’s Olympic Movement and helped turn the legacy of the 2002 Games into something that continues to serve athletes and communities every day. I was fortunate to work closely with Colin as we prepared to welcome the world back to Utah in 2034. His knowledge, energy, and commitment made our work better, and his influence on this state and the Olympic and Paralympic community will be felt for years to come. My wife Jeni and I are thinking of Colin’s family, friends, and the entire Legacy Foundation team during this difficult time.” Fraser Bullock, left, and Colin Hilton’s working relationship and friendship goes back to working together on the 2002 Winter Games. “Colin was a dear friend for 27 years,” Bullock said Saturday. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record “I know I speak for the Olympic and Paralympic movement in mourning the loss of our friend and colleague Colin Hilton,” said Fraser Bullock, president and executive chair of Utah 2034. “Colin was a dear friend for 27 years and a true professional for us at the 2002 Winter Games. He played a key role in helping us win the bid for the 2034 Games. But where he really excelled was in elevating our legacy and bringing real value to communities. His legacy work is unparalleled in the world. He also used his role to bring together national and international winter sports leaders, strengthening our Utah 2034 team and adding greater value to all sports.” The post Colin Hilton, longtime Utah Olympics leader, dies at home appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less