The Colorado Trail Foundation

Background Statement

The Colorado Trail (CT) was conceived in the 1960's and '70's by Colorado outdoorsmen including the Roundup Riders of the Rockies, a group of horse riders with a lengthy history in our state. The concept began to take shape in 1973 as a "Rocky Mountain Trail" between Denver and Durango when USFS Regional Forester, Bill Lucas and Colorado Magazine's, Merrill Hastings began organizing and communicating. Soon after, the CT's leading lady, Gudy Gaskill, joined in. She began organizing volunteer trail building efforts. Others assisted and they succeeded with many tasks including trail signing and mapping. A cooperative agreement was signed between the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Mountain Trails Foundation.

In 1986 The Colorado Trail was connected end to end and in 1987 The Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) was formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to manage and organize trail maintenance efforts. Later that year, "Golden Spike" ceremonies were held to celebrate both events. Volunteers had succeeded in establishing the nearly 567-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. This hike, bike and horse trail would quickly become one of Colorado's greatest assets.

Through the years, the CTF established volunteer programs including Trail Crews and Adopt-A-Trail for the continued maintenance of the CT. CTF Trail Crews are weekend to week-long summer trail work efforts with teams of around twenty volunteers accomplishing trail improvements. Adopt-A-Trail is the program of volunteer Adopters and Helpers that do annual maintenance on a designated segment for which they're responsible. A trekking program was also added to share the trail with others. Supported Treks give participants the opportunity to experience the trail with guides and their services.

In its very beginnings, the CTF was an all-volunteer effort and a tremendous success story of Rocky Mountain 'true grit.' As the effort and organization matured, the CTF needed additional continuity of paid staff. Trekking staff was secured and two paid office positions were established by 2000 to provide organizational continuity and sustainability. The office staff of two remains highly supported by the 600 volunteers who assist annually with trail maintenance, operations, financial planning, marketing, outreach, mailings, database management, events and so on.

Funding for these and other CTF efforts comes almost entirely from private contributions. Become a Friend of the CTF and donate now. Your contribution will help fund this successful volunteer effort and one of Colorado's greatest gems… The Colorado Trail.