Charismatic, compassionate, giving, selfless, adventurous and funny were just some of the adjectives used to describe Todd Johnson at his recent celebration of life.

“Todd had a heart of gold,” wrote his step-sister Hallie in her speech at the ceremony. “He knew how to slow down, live in the moment, and treat others well.”

Originally from Illinois, Johnson moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University in 2009. After graduating with a degree in hospitality, Johnson moved to Eagle County in 2015 where he got to live out his passions of snowboarding, wakeboarding, fly-fishing, mountain biking, skateboarding, disc golf, cooking and photography.

During the years he spent in Eagle County, Johnson worked at several Vail area hotels including the Antlers, Highline, Christie Lodge and, most recently, as a front desk agent at The Sebastian.

“He was a very charismatic person, which is why I think he succeeded so well in hospitality,” said Kelley Smith, Johnson’s mother. “He always just went out of his way for others, to make them feel comfortable and feel at home, whether it be friends or guests.”

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On Oct. 31, 2021, Johnson died at his home in EagleVail due to health complications from his struggles with alcoholism for many years.

In the wake of his death, Kelley Smith and her husband, Jim Smith, the stepfather to Johnson, have started a fundraiser in his honor to benefit Eagle Valley Behavioral Health.

“I do believe in behavioral health, I think it’s really important and this was just a way to do it for Todd and create a bright spot in this whole tragedy,” Kelley Smith said.

“While we couldn’t help Todd, we’re hoping that this could help future people who have maybe similar abuse issues,” Jim Smith added.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 21, the fundraiser has received nearly 100 donations totaling just over $19,401, which will go toward Eagle Valley Behavioral Health’s efforts to build and support a multi-faceted approach to addiction and substance abuse.

“If this can be Todd’s…