Park City’s Olympic and Paralympic community mourns passing of Colin Hilton

Colin Hilton (R) passed away last night at his home in Park City. The UOP CEO is pictured here with his friend and colleague Spence Eccles years ago. Photo: Tom Kelly/USSA

PARK CITY, Utah — Colin Hilton, president and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, passed away at his home on Friday, the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation announced Saturday.

Hilton was part of Utah’s Olympic story for decades. 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.

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 as the state prepares 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.

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. 

“I’m heartbroken by the loss of Colin Hilton,” Brad Wilson, CEO, Utah 2034 said in a statement. “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.”

Colin led UOLF for over two decades, dedicating his life and career to ensuring that the legacy of Utah’s 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games remained not only alive but thriving in the years that followed. He believed the measure of these venues was not simply that they were preserved, but that they continued to be used by athletes, coaches, families, and communities. 

Under his leadership, the Utah Olympic Park, Utah Olympic Oval, and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center became enduring centers for sport, recreation, and community use. In addition to the venues, Hilton’s leadership with the Park City community facilitated the creation of Park City Ski and Snowboard, combining eight Wasatch Back ski clubs into a single entity impacting sport development at the Utah Olympic Park.

He served as a trusted voice across Utah’s Olympic and winter-sport community. His influence also extended into Utah’s Olympic future, bringing decades of experience and institutional knowledge to the work surrounding Utah 2034 and helping connect the legacy of the 2002 Games with the opportunity to welcome the world back to Utah.

“For those of us who worked with Colin, this loss is deeply personal. He was a passionate leader, a committed advocate for sport and community, and most importantly, a friend whose influence will be felt for years to come,” the statement said.

UOLF said Hilton’s family has asked for space and privacy at this time, and information regarding a service will be shared when it becomes available.

“I know I speak for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement in mourning the loss of our friend and colleague Colin Hilton,” Fraser Bullock, President & Executive Chair, Utah 2034 added. “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 UOLF Board has asked Park City’s Calum Clark to serve as acting CEO and president. UOLF’s leadership team and general managers remain in place, and the organization’s work and operations continue.