A nonprofit organization has emerged from tragedy to broaden opportunities for girls who want to play hockey on Colorado's Western Slope. The Forever 20 Hockey Foundation, founded by Daniel and Amy Johnson, aims to remove financial barriers and create a welcoming environment for female athletes in a region where the sport has traditionally been male‑dominated.
A Legacy of Determination
Jade Emily Cox, who grew up in Grand Junction, was the only girl on her youth hockey teams, facing resistance from some teammates while chasing a passion that defined her childhood. Her grandparents recall how she would skate for hours after school, driven by a fierce love for the game despite the isolation she sometimes felt.
In July 2025, a car accident in Severance, Colorado, cut Jade's life short just weeks before her 20th birthday. The timing inspired the foundation's name — a tribute to the number 20 that appeared on her jerseys across multiple sports she played.
The organization was officially registered on August 12, 2025, a date chosen to coincide with what would have been Jade's twentieth birthday. Since then, the foundation has already provided financial assistance to three female players on the Western Slope and contributed $4,000 to the U‑19 River Hawks Girls’ team, signaling a tangible impact within its first year.
Beyond monetary support, the Forever 20 Hockey Foundation seeks to cultivate a community where girls can view hockey as a viable and celebrated pursuit. By partnering with local clubs and schools, the group hopes to normalize female participation and dismantle the cultural obstacles that once kept Jade as the sole girl on her teams.
Daniel and Amy Johnson, who established the foundation to carry forward Jade's legacy, emphasize that the initiative is as much about honoring a young athlete's spirit as it is about building a sustainable pathway for future generations. Their vision includes expanding mentorship programs and scholarship opportunities that will allow more girls to experience the camaraderie and confidence that hockey can provide.
The foundation's ultimate goal is to grow girls' hockey across the Western Slope, ensuring that financial constraints or gender expectations no longer dictate access to the sport. As the organization moves forward, it does so with the belief that Jade's determination and resilience will continue to inspire every young player who steps onto the ice.