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Membership Emails

Below is a sample of the emails you can expect to receive when signed up to 14ers.

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Dear Jon,

Another whirlwind of a year has come to a close. In the month of December, CFI received more than 1,000 individual donations. These generous contributions have helped us set a new, all-time record for individual giving! As Lloyd and I have been writing personalized messages on each and every thank you letter, I've had plenty of time to reflect.

I care a lot about our mission here at CFI. Protecting the fragile alpine plants and preserving the natural integrity of the state's iconic 14ers for future generations inspires me to work harder every day. But as I've witnessed the outpouring of support from our volunteers and donors, I truly understand just how important the people, like you, are to our cause.

We are sincerely grateful for everything that the 14er community does to better our organization and the Fourteeners. Thank you.

Wishing you a new year full of good health and adventure!

Best,

Brian Sargeant

Development and Communications Manager

Annual and Year-End Reports

With help from a couple of all-star volunteers, CFI staff mailed nearly 4,000 annual and end-of-season reports to donors all across the nation this December. To the right, our 2018 Annual Report dives deeper into the achievements in the field, highlights new projects on the horizon, and breaks down our financials. Below, the 2019 Year-End Report provides some fun stats from this summer. If you didn't receive a copy of the reports in the mail, you can view the electronic versions on our website.

Matching Endowment Campaign

Earlier this fall, CFI launched the "25 for 25" endowment campaign. Current and former CFI Directors committed a $25,000 challenge pool to be used to match the first $25,000 in donations received to CFI's "General Endowment". So far, the campaign has raised $22,000 - only $3,000 short of our goal!

This means there are still some matching funds available in the challenge pool. If you're interested in contributing, your gift of $25, $250, $2,500 - or whatever amount feels right for you - will be matched, dollar for dollar, to help kickstart the general endowment. This fund will spin off money every year (usually 5% of the endowment's total value) to provide stability for CFI's on-going operations in the years and decades ahead.

Donate today to help us close the gap and unlock the final matching funds.

Avalanche Safety Videos

Colorado has more avalanche fatalities annually than any other state in the country, so knowing how to minimize risks is vital in backcountry travel over snow. Learn what steps you can take to be safe while enjoying all the 14ers have to offer. Cruise over to our YouTube channel to see our avalanche safety and other educational videos! Don't forget to check the avalanche forecast before heading out https://avalanche.state.co.us/

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

1600 Jackson Street, Suite 205

Golden, Colorado 80401

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, 1600 Jackson Street, Suite 205, Golden, CO 80401

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Dear Jon,

The recent 60-degree temperature swing in Denver and first measurable snowfall of the season means that our summer trail projects are quickly winding down. CFI''s crews pulled out of their backcountry basecamps across the state ahead of the recent storm. Soon they will hike back to their worksites to begin derigging and packing out for the year.

Despite numerous obstacles, including a global pandemic, wildfires, and our first summer working without many volunteers, CFI had one of its most productive field seasons ever.

Two large-scale trail construction projects on Mount Elbert and Mount Columbia are
complete after more than four years on each peak.
CFI''s two-person crew on Grays and Torreys made significant progress retaining the rapidly eroding soils on the upper stretches of the trail above 13,500-ft.
The Lake City crew performed maintenance on five trails on both Forest Service and BLM-managed peaks.
CFI''s Adopt-a-Peak teams worked eight-day hitches to focus efforts on priority areas at high elevations and remote locations where work in prior years was not possible with volunteers.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative is fortunate that our employees stayed healthy this summer, and grateful that our supporters, located across the nation, have continued to back us. As usual, the work does not stop when the tools have been stored and trucks are parked. CFI''s office staff will shift focus in the coming months to produce and distribute our annual mailing, write various grants and reports, and continue to plan and fundraise for future projects.

Thank you for your enduring support and interest in our organization''s work on the 14ers.

All the best,

Brian Sargeant

Development and Communications Manager

2019 Fourteener Hiking Use Report

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative has been studying hiking use on Colorado''s 14,000-foot peak susing infrared trail counters since 2014. In 2019, CFI placed 22 thermal counters monitoring traffic on 23 peaks across the state. This year, CFI released the fourth iteration of our report that estimates that Colorado''s 14ers experienced 288,000 hiker use days last season.

The number of people climbing a fourteener in Colorado last year plunged by 18.4 percent due to the record snowpack in the spring of 2019. Lingering snowpack and avalanche debris-choked roads resulted in 65,000 fewer hiker days on Colorado''s 14ers last year as compared to the 2018 season (288,000 vs. 353,000).

This level of recreational use suggests a statewide economic impact of more than $78 million, based on past 14er-related expenditure studies performed by Colorado State University economists John Loomis and Catherine Keske.

Head over to our website to learn more about the methodology and see how your favorite fourteener ranks on the list.

Mountain Safety Videos

Earlier this summer, CFI expanded our educational YouTube library with six new mountain safety videos. The first series titled "Introduction to 3rd Class" addresses topics including scrambling on Mount Sneffels, managing risks on Kelso Ridge, and avoiding navigational issues on the Challenger/Kit Carson area that has seen a spike in rescues over recent seasons.

Have you ever wondered, "Will I get charged for a mountain rescue?" or "How long does it take SAR teams to evacuate an injured hiker?" Additional videos featuring Search and Rescue experts, a helicopter pilot with Flight for Life Colorado, mountain athletes, and survivors caught overnight in a fast-moving blizzard answer these important questions and many more. Follow the link to our YouTube page to watch the newest videos. Two more videos will be released this fall.

Survey and Chance to

Win CFI Gear

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative is assessing its priorities for trail reconstruction and maintenance projects going into the 2021 field season. CFI soon will be applying for a two-year maintenance grant from the Colorado State Trails Program that will fund our Adopt-a-Peak maintenance crew. Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey and ensure CFI is in sync with the 14er hiking community regarding trail maintenance and reconstruction priorities. In thanks for your help answering this survey, CFI will randomly select 10 people who complete the survey to receive either a CFI logo trucker hat or a CFI logo neck gaiter (both one size fits all).

New 14er History

and Photo Book

CFI is excited to announce the release of John Fielder''s newest book, "Colorado''s Highest: The History of Naming the 14,000-foot Peaks". Through extensive research of the early days of mining in Colorado and the voluminous records of the 1870s Hayden Surveys, author Jeri Norgren has written one of the finest Colorado history books ever. Stunning photographs by Fielder, historical sketches made in the 19th century, and captivating oil paintings by Robert Wogrin combine to showcase the iconic and dramatic landscapes of Colorado''s tallest mountains. Visit John Fielder''s website to learn more and purchase the book today. Use Code 14er at checkout to receive 10% off and ensure that a portion of sales will be donated to CFI''s trail stewardship projects on the 14ers.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

1511 Washington Avenue, Suite 310

Golden, CO 80401

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, 1511 Washington Avenue, Suite 310, Golden, CO 80401

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Dear Jon,

This year has been a whirlwind to say the least. Just a few weeks before we were set to host our inaugural fundraising event in April, the world rapidly started closing down around us due to the pandemic. Eight months later, the idea of gathering with hundreds of friends to share drinks and swap adventure stories seems so bizarre.

As the full-time staff moved into their makeshift home offices, we questioned whether our field season would even happen. Familiar with working around unexpected challenges like weather, wildfires, and injuries, our team quickly adapted and moved forward with all planned projects.

We were incredibly fortunate that our employees stayed healthy this summer, and grateful that we have these incredible landscapes to help refresh our minds and forgot about the troubles of the world - even if only for a little while.

It seems that everyone had the same idea this summer. Looking at CFI''s preliminary trail counter data, we are seeing a more than 20% increase in hiking use on the 14ers. Our estimates show 2020 as the busiest year since we started monitoring traffic on the peaks in 2014.

With increased use comes increased impacts on the fragile alpine ecosystems. The support of our donors nationwide means more than ever this year. We appreciate your continued interest in our preservation efforts.

Thank you,

Brian Sargeant

Development and Communications Manager

Colorado Gives Day

As the year draws to a close and we reflect on another successful summer of preserving and protecting Colorado''s highest peaks, we would like to remind you that a gift on Colorado Gives Day plays a critical role in CFI''s ongoing efforts. Donations from generous individual donors like you ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the natural integrity of the Fourteeners.

CFI hopes to raise $85,000 on Colorado Gives Day - Tuesday, December 8th. More than 60 donors have already prescheduled gifts totaling nearly $12,000! Schedule your gift online today.

As an added bonus your donation helps leverage the $1 million incentive fund! Will you help us reach our goal?

2020 Season Recap

This year was one of CFI''s most productive field seasons ever. We''ve designed an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap to showcase all of the great work completed this season. This new tool allows you explore maps to see work from specific locations and much more. We think it''s worth taking time to delve into, but if you''re short on time here''s a quick recap of the season.

Two large-scale trail construction projects on Mount Elbert and Mount Columbia are complete after more than four years on each peak.
CFI''s two-person crew on Grays and Torreys made significant progress retaining the rapidly eroding soils on the upper stretches of the trail above 13,500 ft.
The Lake City crew performed maintenance on five trails on both Forest Service and BLM-managed peaks.
CFI''s Adopt-a-Peak teams worked eight-day hitches to focus efforts on priority areas at high elevations and remote locations where work in prior years was not possible with volunteers.

Explore our 2020 StoryMap here.

NFL My Cause,

My Cleats Campaign

Want to catch a glimpse of CFI on the field during an NFL game? Joe Schobert, a linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wisconsin Badgers alumni, selected Colorado Fourteeners Initiative for the My Cause, My Cleats campaign. Schobert spends the off-season in Colorado and hopes to hike the 14ers with his son who was born earlier this year. Joe also made a generous pledge to donate $14,000 on Colorado Gives Day. Thank you, Joe! Check out the images of these custom CFI cleats and see them live during week 14 - Sunday, December 13th - against the Tennessee Titans. After the game the cleats will be signed and auctioned.

Fourteener Holiday

Gift Ideas

Looking for a last-minute holiday gift idea for the 14er enthusiast in your family? We''ve compiled a list of some of our favorite fourteener themed products. Plus, all of the companies listed donate a percentage of sales back to CFI! Looking for a great book to read by the fire? Check out John Fielder''s newest book, Colorado''s Highest: The History of Naming the 14,000-foot Peaks. Use code 14er at checkout to receive 10% off and donate a portion of your purchase to CFI. Pick up some freshly roasted beans from our friends at Peak State Coffee for a nice hot beverage while you cozy up this season. Thanks to all of these companies for their continued support!

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

1511 Washington Avenue, Suite 310

Golden, CO 80401

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, 1511 Washington Ave, Suite 310, Golden, CO 80401

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Dear Jon,

The sport of mountaineering and climbing, with its inherent dangers, taught me many important lessons about life. How to respond to adversity and changing conditions was certainly among the most useful.

In difficult moments, the perceived need to come up with a full plan of action that solves every problem can feel overwhelming. Over the years, however, I came to realize that I didn''t need to know all of the answers to all of the questions; I merely needed to be able to make the next right move. Make enough next right moves and even what seemed to be the most difficult obstacles could be overcome.

This spring is certainly unlike any other Colorado Fourteeners Initiative has faced in our 26-year history. The COVID-19 virus is forcing CFI to rethink how our crews will work this field season and the degree to which we will be able to incorporate volunteers into our trail work and hiker education efforts. The situation is unfolding rapidly and we do not have complete information about how things will play out. Information we learn in the days and weeks ahead will inform what we do when our field season launches in late May.

CFI has a small, nimble and experienced core staff that constantly looks for ways to get important work done despite whatever obstacles are thrown in our way. Our board includes talented people from many walks of life who provide important guidance and perspective. Together the staff and board have spent the past few years methodically developing financial reserves and preparing for a rainy day we knew would come eventually. We may not know today exactly how the field season will play out this summer, but we will always look to make the next right move that gets our important 14er stewardship work done in a safe and responsible manner.

In this issue of CFI''s e-news there are links to a number of stories and reports about our on-going stewardship work and where we plan to work this summer.

Read the SNEWS article explaining the importance of staying out of the mountains right now.
Want to volunteer with CFI this summer?

Despite uncertainty regarding group size limits, physical distancing guidelines and additional safety procedures, CFI is moving forward with recruiting volunteers for summer projects. Follow the registration links below to sign up.

Looking to support some small companies that are giving back in the community?

Learn more about our corporate partners and shop 14er-related products.

There are also links to:

Updates on CFI''s 2020 trail construction and maintenance projects.
A shout out to our 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

From all of us at CFI, thank you for your continued support. For the moment our office is closed and staff are working from remote locations. You can reach our main email through cfi@14ers.org or individual staff through their first name @14ers.org. I hope that you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe.

Regards,

Lloyd F. Athearn

Executive Director

2020 Field Programs

Last year, CFI celebrated its 25th anniversary with another successful year of trail maintenance and alpine restoration work around the state. In 2020, CFI is excited to kick off a new decade by completing two multi-year trail construction projects and hosting volunteer projects ranging from the Front Range to the San Juan Mountains. Check out the brief descriptions below and head over to our website for more details about each project.

The Mount Elbert project will continue with the final season of new trail construction on the East Ridge.
CFI''s two-person crew will return for a second season of intensive reconstruction work on Gray''s and Torrey''s Peaks.
Seven CFI crew members will head into the Horn Fork Basin for the fifth and final season of new trail construction and restoration on Mount Columbia.
CFI ''s two-person Lake City crew will switch focus in 2020 and begin reconstruction work on Uncompahgre Peak and the American Basin route on Handies Peak.
CFI''s eight-person Adopt-a-Peak crew will set out to engage volunteers in trail maintenance projects across the state. We plan to record at least 1,800 days of volunteer stewardship.
CFI will place 22 infrared traffic counters on the 14ers to continue monitoring hiking use.

For more in depth information about all of these projects, head over to our website.

2020 Volunteer Project Registration

As you are well aware, these are challenging times for everyone due to COVID-19. We at CFI are taking every precaution with our staff to stay healthy and to allow for the necessary observance of stay-at-home orders to do our part in flattening the curve of this pandemic.

We are currently in full swing with the planning of our field season, coordinating with project partners and land managers from afar. With the start of our field season a little over two months away, we will continue to proceed as "usual." We will actively monitor the situation and keep you up-to-date on any changes that may effect our field season or volunteer schedule in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, we are excited to open the registration for volunteer projects in June and July. We will be opening project registration for the rest of the season on June 1st. Click the button below for more details.

We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this rapidly evolving situation. While the future of our field season is uncertain, we appreciate your efforts and contribution to the organization, and are looking forward to another productive summer (however that may end up looking!).

Search and Rescue Efforts

Amid COVID-19

Gov. Jared Polis issued a mandatory stay-at-home order for all Colorado residents that will last through at least April 11th. The order currently allows residents to "engage in outdoor activity". Despite the verbiage, people need to understand that this is a complicated situation. Jeff Sparhawk, president of the

Colorado Search and Rescue Association, told SNEWS this week "The majority of search and rescue workers are volunteers with full-time jobs, and many of those jobs are-you guessed it in healthcare. We absolutely cannot be putting doctors and nurses at risk in the backcountry right now. It''s not in everyone''s best interest".

Please consider how your decisions may affect the emergency response capabilities within the outdoor community - especially in light of COVID-19 when local resources are stretched thin. Read the article here.

CFI''s 2019 Volunteer of the Year

CFI would like to recognize Brad McQueen as our 2019 Volunteer of the Year. Brad''s cumulative contributions to the Fourteeners over the past decade are truly outstanding. Brad joined CFI''s Board of Directors in 2014 and has served as Treasurer and Chairman. Brad and his wife Melissa have been long-time financial supporters of the organization. Their generous gifts have helped fund the Mount Shavano land acquisition, our Endowment Fund, and CFI''s on-going general operations. They also throw one hell of a fundraising party in their backyard every spring. Brad is an experienced mountaineer with 472 total summits of the 14ers (assuming he didn''t sneak one in this morning before work). Brad and his family have dedicated so much time and energy into protecting our majestic peaks. We are forever grateful for your philanthropy!
Thank you Brad.

Become a Volunteer Peak Steward

CFI is currently recruiting volunteer Peak Stewards for the 2020 field season. As a Steward you''ll serve as a CFI ambassador in the field, contacting hikers while climbing Fourteeners to reinforce Leave No Trace practices, as well as monitoring visitor actions for the Forest Service. Check out this educational video to learn about being a Peak Steward. If you''d like more information or want to sign up, contact hannah@14ers.org.

Local Businesses

Giving Back

CFI is incredibly fortunate to have the financial support of large companies across the nation. However, we are particularly proud of some of our partnerships with small locally-owned businesses in Colorado that are giving back to the 14ers. Many of the companies that support CFI and other non-profits are being hit hard right now. If you''re able, please consider supporting some of these brands by purchasing 14er-related shirts, stickers, posters, and other memorabilia. Follow the links to see all of our corporate partners and 14er brands.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

1600 Jackson Street, Suite 205

Golden, Colorado 80401

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, 1600 Jackson Street, Suite 205, Golden, CO 80401

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Dear Jon,

The 2020 field season is well underway with many of our fixed-site crews having already completed their first hitch in the backcountry. This summer, CFI will have staff living and working on trail reconstruction projects on Mount Columbia, Mount Elbert, Grays and Torreys Peaks, and the Lake City 14ers. In addition, our Adopt-a-Peak team plans to perform routine maintenance and restoration work on more than 15 peaks across the state.

Despite the difficulties of planning and managing our busy field season during a global

pandemic, we were incredibly fortunate to have received approval from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and several counties to move forward with our work this summer. Advance funding of projects and a Payroll Protection Program loan allowed us to keep all our core staff on board this spring and bring on, in late May, a full complement of 23 seasonal crew members who will work through the end of September.

After extensive communication with our staff, board, federal agencies, health experts, and partner organizations, CFI regrettably decided to cancel most of our volunteer trail projects this season. Every summer, CFI engages roughly 500 Adopt-a-Peak volunteers who work an average of two days. We assembled a committee of three physicians (one a former Colorado State Epidemiologist/Health Officer) and an ICU nurse to help sort through options. In the end, the potential risks of bringing in this many volunteers and combining them with a young seasonal staff - who are likely to not feel symptoms or show signs of infection if sick - outweighed the rewards of additional productivity on projects. We reluctantly opted to make the most of our limited field season working exclusively with our paid professional trail crews in remote locations.

CFI will, however, be fielding volunteer Peak Stewards this summer to help educate 14er hikers about Leave No Trace practices - from an appropriate social distance. With people cooped up for much of the spring and being urged to stay more than six feet away from others, there has been tremendous concern about people going off trail and trampling the sensitive alpine zones.

There is no shortage of work this summer with two multi-year trail construction projects drawing to a close, plans to release new mountain safety videos, and some new reports based on data collected over five years of monitoring hiking use on the 14ers. This email newsletter serves as a brief recap of the first few weeks of the season and outlines some of the plans for later this summer.

From all of us at CFI, thank you for your support and understanding as we work through new obstacles this year. Your continued interest in our preservation work and hiker education efforts will be more important than ever.

All the best,

Brian Sargeant

Development and Communications Manager

Mount Columbia - The Final Season

Earlier this month, CFI''s six-person crew packed into the Horn Fork Basin for the fifth and final season of new trail construction on Mount Columbia. For decades the steep, unstable slopes up the mountain provided a hazardous and frustrating experience for hikers seeking the 14,073-foot summit.

In 2016, CFI began the intensive project of rerouting the trail corridor to create a durably-constructed and sustainable path. The ultimate goal was not to create a more enjoyable or easier hike, but rather to protect and preserve the fragile alpine plants that exist on the peak. The new trail, which consists of several large rock staircases, fortified switchbacks, and sturdy retaining walls, will help reduce the damage caused to the alpine tundra.

The five-year-long trail project has been CFI''s most-technically challenging but the result is one of the best 14er trails built to date. Hikers are currently permitted to use the new trail - though be cautious as our crews are still working in the area. The trail is set to officially open to the public later this fall. For more information, check out a recent article from our partner and project funder the National Forest Foundation.

Become a Volunteer Peak Steward

Through CFI''s Peak Stewards program, volunteers play a vital role in educating Fourteener hikers about Leave No Trace practices designed to minimize on-the-ground resource impacts. Peak Stewards serve as ambassadors in the field, contacting hikers while climbing Fourteeners to reinforce responsible recreation practices, as well as monitoring visitor actions for the Forest Service.

We need your help now more than ever before. Observations from trails along the Front Range have shown that hikers are causing severe trail braiding and trampling vegetation in an attempt to physically distance themselves from other hikers. Stepping or walking off trail in the alpine ecosystems will cause significant damage to native flora. Help us build a better educated community of hikers this summer by becoming a Peak Steward!

Watch the virtual training videos on YouTube and contact Hannah Clark at hannah@14ers.org to learn more about the program.

Mountain Safety

Videos

Last summer, CFI released a seven-part mountain safety video series. The videos, filmed with help from local search and rescue groups, mountain guides, and athletes, cover topics such as the dangers of climbing in the Elk Mountains, shortcuts on the 14ers, whether to hire a professional guide, and more. This summer, CFI plans to expand on the series with additional videos including the "Intro to 3rd Class" series, when to call in for a rescue, and and the dangers of the Challenger/Kit Carson area that has seen a spike in fatalities over recent seasons. Keep an eye out for new content later this summer. Head over to CFI''s YouTube channel to catch up on our educational videos!

Mount Elbert''s

New East Ridge Trail

In June, CFI''s four-person crew on Mount Elbert picked up where they left off in 2019 with plans to restore the "Cat''s Claw," - a large, steep section of alpine tundra scarred with side-by-side trail braids causing severe erosion. Additional work in 2020 includes building new switchbacks and retaining walls and constructing rock staircases through the steep talus field near the summit. With help from a Rocky Mountain Youth Corps crew, CFI will also work on a short trail reroute on Elbert''s North ridge route. Check out this recent article in the Leadville Herald Democrat for more details about the project.