Protecting the Alpine

CFI partners with the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and passionate volunteers and donors nationwide to protect and restore the fragile alpine ecosystems on Colorado’s 14ers.

Our Mission

To protect and preserve the natural integrity of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks through active stewardship and public education.

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About Us

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative was formed in 1994 as a partnership of nonprofit organizations, concerned individuals, and public agencies. Our mission is to preserve and protect the natural integrity of Colorado’s Fourteeners after a 1993 study noted significant environmental impacts due to rapidly expanding recreational use.

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

6 days ago

🌲Agency Partner of the Year: Patrick Mercer!🌲CFI is proud to honor Patrick Mercer, District Ranger for the Leadville Ranger District, as our 2024 Agency Partner of the Year! U.S. Forest Service - PSICC National ForestPatrick has been a trusted and reliable partner to CFI for many years, playing a pivotal role in securing a 30-year lease for our Twin Lakes base of field operations—a centrally located and critical hub that supports our work across Colorado’s 14ers.In 2024, Patrick stepped up to help with the transition of the USFS 14er Program following the retirement of Loretta McEllhiney after 30+ years of service. Though such a significant change presented its challenges, Patrick’s guidance and collaborative approach have been instrumental in keeping the program moving forward and strengthening CFI’s ability to steward these cherished peaks.Patrick’s commitment to preserving our public lands and supporting CFI’s mission has made a lasting impact. We are grateful for his partnership and leadership. Thank you, Patrick! 🌄 ... See MoreSee Less

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

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🏔️ Peak Steward of the Year - Steve O’Clair! 🏔️We’re excited to recognize Steve O’Clair as CFI’s 2024 Peak Steward of the Year!Steve has been a dedicated Peak Steward since 2022, and his contributions in 2024 went above and beyond. Steve recorded time in the field educating hikers about LNT ethics and represented CFI at six outreach events, including REI clinics and 14er Fest. But he didn’t stop there—Steve also joined two multi-day trail stewardship projects and strengthened our State Trails grant proposal with a thoughtful and impactful letter of support.No matter the challenge, Steve always steps up—whether it’s with short notice or when we need a hand during crunch time. His versatility and reliability make him a volunteer who can truly do it all.Thank you, Steve, for your hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to CFI’s mission! 💚 ... See MoreSee Less

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

1 week ago

🏅 Rookie of the Year - Dean Royse🏅Please join us in celebrating Dean Royse, CFI’s 2024 Rookie of the Year!In his first year volunteering with CFI, Dean went all in—and we couldn’t be more impressed. He dedicated his time and energy to three multi-day projects on Capitol, Uncompahgre, and Harvard Peaks, along with a single-day project on Quandary. In total, Dean spent an incredible 13 days volunteering in the field, making an outstanding contribution to protecting Colorado’s beloved 14ers.Dean’s dedication and adventurous spirit have already made a lasting impact, and we’re beyond excited to see what he’ll accomplish next! Thank you, Dean, for your passion, hard work, and commitment to stewardship! 🙌 ... See MoreSee Less

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colorado14ersinitiative

CFI works to preserve and protect the natural integrity of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks through active stewardship and public education.

🌲Agency Partner of the Year: Patrick Mercer!🌲

CFI is proud to honor Patrick Mercer, District Ranger for the Leadville Ranger District, as our 2024 Agency Partner of the Year! @u.s.forestservice

Patrick has been a trusted and reliable partner to CFI for many years, playing a pivotal role in securing a 30-year lease for our Twin Lakes base of field operations—a centrally located and critical hub that supports our work across Colorado’s 14ers.

In 2024, Patrick stepped up to help with the transition of the USFS 14er Program following the retirement of Loretta McEllhiney after 30+ years of service. Though such a significant change presented its challenges, Patrick’s guidance and collaborative approach have been instrumental in keeping the program moving forward and strengthening CFI’s ability to steward these cherished peaks.

Patrick’s commitment to preserving our public lands and supporting CFI’s mission has made a lasting impact. We are grateful for his partnership and leadership. Thank you, Patrick! 🌄

🏔️ Peak Steward of the Year - Steve O’Clair

🏔️ Peak Steward of the Year - Steve O’Clair! 🏔️

We’re excited to recognize Steve O’Clair as CFI’s 2024 Peak Steward of the Year!

Steve has been a dedicated Peak Steward since 2022, and his contributions in 2024 went above and beyond. Steve recorded time in the field educating hikers about LNT ethics and represented CFI at six outreach events, including REI clinics and 14er Fest. But he didn’t stop there—Steve also joined two multi-day trail stewardship projects and strengthened our State Trails grant proposal with a thoughtful and impactful letter of support.

No matter the challenge, Steve always steps up—whether it’s with short notice or when we need a hand during crunch time. His versatility and reliability make him a volunteer who can truly do it all.

Thank you, Steve, for your hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to CFI’s mission! 💚

🏅 Rookie of the Year - Dean Royse🏅 Please j

🏅 Rookie of the Year - Dean Royse🏅

Please join us in celebrating Dean Royse, CFI’s 2024 Rookie of the Year!

In his first year volunteering with CFI, Dean went all in—and we couldn’t be more impressed. He dedicated his time and energy to three multi-day projects on Capitol, Uncompahgre, and Harvard Peaks, along with a single-day project on Quandary. In total, Dean spent an incredible 13 days volunteering in the field, making an outstanding contribution to protecting Colorado’s beloved 14ers.

Dean’s dedication and adventurous spirit have already made a lasting impact, and we’re beyond excited to see what he’ll accomplish next! Thank you, Dean, for your passion, hard work, and commitment to stewardship! 🙌

✨ Special Recognition Award: Anneliese Steel! ✨

We are beyond honored to present @annelieseonadventures with CFI’s 2024 Special Recognition Award for her unparalleled leadership and dedication to public lands advocacy.

With a background in government affairs and lobbying, Anneliese stepped up in 2023 when the first bill to amend the Colorado Recreational Use Statute was introduced. She united CFI, Access Fund, agricultural groups, and countless others to support the bill. When the first measure didn’t pass the Senate Judiciary Committee, Anneliese refused to back down.

Her vision and determination gave rise to the FixCRUS Coalition—a unified and strategic effort that ensured the bill’s success the second time around. Thanks to her tenacity, SB58 passed both the House and Senate committees with a remarkable 87-0 vote—an extraordinary and rare unanimous victory.

Anneliese’s efforts have set a new precedent for collaboration and advocacy across the state. Her visionary leadership has left a lasting impact, and we’re incredibly grateful for her passion and hard work. Thank you, Anneliese!

🎉 Partner Spotlight – Osprey Packs! 🎉 CFI

🎉 Volunteer Spotlight – Melinda Callender! 🎉

We’re thrilled to recognize Melinda Callender as CFI’s 2024 Adopt-a-Peak Volunteer of the Year! Last year, Melinda volunteered on 12 CFI stewardship projects (plus two projects with partner orgs) totaling more than 31 days in the field.

Melinda not only put in the hard work on the trails, but she also captured amazing photos from the field that have become an invaluable resource for CFI’s communications and grant reporting. And when it came time to strengthen one of our largest annual grant submissions, Melinda went above and beyond by writing a heartfelt letter of support.

When our team discussed this year’s volunteer awards, there was no doubt—Melinda was the clear choice for this honor.

Please join us in celebrating Melinda’s incredible contributions to trail stewardship! 🙌💚

Our field crews crushed it this season! 🏔️ Ch

Our field crews crushed it this season! 🏔️ Check out the incredible stats in our “Year in Trails” recap, inspired by @strava Year in Sport. From miles hiked to jaw-dropping elevation gains, our team went above and beyond to protect and improve Colorado’s 14ers. 🌄

🎉 THANK YOU, 14er Community! 🎉 Yesterday, f

🎉 THANK YOU, 14er Community! 🎉

Yesterday, for Colorado Gives Day, you showed up in an incredible way to support Colorado’s iconic peaks. Thanks to your generosity, CFI raised $121,011 through coloradogives.org and an additional $8,508 directly through our website, bringing our grand total to an amazing $129,519!

While we fell short of our ambitious $135,000 goal, this milestone is a powerful reminder of the collective strength and passion of the 14er hiking community.
Your support helps protect and preserve Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks for generations of hikers to come. Thank you for believing in this mission and for helping us continue our work on the trails you love. 💚

Stay tuned for updates on how your contributions will make a difference—together, we’re building a legacy of stewardship!

With three hours left till midnight, there is stil

With three hours left till midnight, there is still time to help us meet our $135,000 goal for Colorado Gives Day. So far, 638 individuals have donated more than $115,000. We’re so close! Link in bio to make a tax-deductible donation.

Will you help us reach our goal? This Colorado Giv

Will you help us reach our goal? This Colorado Gives Day, we’re climbing toward our $135,000 goal to support CFI’s critical trail work, and we’re already halfway there with 440 donations totaling over $72,000! 🎉

Like summiting a 14er, this journey is about more than just reaching the top—it’s about leaving the trails better than we found them. Together, we can ensure that these iconic peaks stay protected for generations to come. 💚

Join us in giving back to the places that inspire us. Follow the link in bio to donate.

#ColoradoGivesDay

Instagram post 18152615656339392

Instagram post 18152615656339392

🌟 Let’s kick off the season of giving! There’s no better time to support Colorado’s 14ers. 🌟

Today is Giving Tuesday and next week is Colorado Gives Day. Every gift made through Colorado Gives now through December 10th will be boosted by a matching incentive fund! Your generosity helps us advance stewardship and education efforts to protect these iconic peaks for future generations. 🏔️✨

Give today and make your impact go even further. Link in bio.

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