George Miller Field Operations Center Dedicated
July 2, 2018
The George Miller Field Operations Center in Poncha Springs is dedicated. The half-million-dollar project enables the CTF to consolidate all of its equipment in one place for the first time in the Trail’s history, providing a “base camp” for future trail building and maintenance operations.
Field Ops Center Named for George Miller
November 12, 2017
The Foundation announces at its annual holiday party in Golden that the new operations center will be named in honor of George Miller, longtime board member and former Foundation president who was volunteer operations manager for 20 years.
Field Operations Center Construction Begins
May 25, 2017
Design of the field operations center is completed and construction begins.
Gudy Gaskill Passes
July 14, 2016Gudy Gaskill, whose untiring efforts were chiefly responsible for the completion of The Colorado Trail, dies on July 14.
Field Operations Center Fundraising Begins
March 20, 2016
A fund-raising campaign to build a field operations center begins.
Field Operations Manager Joins Staff
February 12, 2015
A full-time field operations manager, Brent Adams, is added to the Foundation staff (joining the executive director and office manager) to oversee future projects, including the building of 90-100 miles of new trail over the next 10-15 years.
Phone App Released
May 21, 2014
Partnering with Atlas Guides and their “Guthooks” trail apps, the CTF contributes trail data and photos. The CT phone app proves a game changer, helping users follow the Trail and replenish water.
Collegiate West Opened
June 22, 2012
Eighty additional miles are added to the Trail on the west side of the Collegiate Peaks mountain range, forming a 160-mile loop when combined with the Collegiate East segments. It becomes known as Collegiate West and gives Trail users an alternate route north- and southbound.
CT Online Store Launched
May 24, 2010
Making the CT Guides and other Trail merchandise far more available, the online CT Store began catering to purchasers throughout the United States and even abroad.
First Map Book Published
August 5, 2008
The first shaded relief topo maps are released, greatly improving trail navigation as well as volunteer trail maintenance operations.
Bill Manning Begins As First Executive Director
February 1, 2006
Bill Manning is named the first executive director – and first full-time employee – of The Colorado Trail Foundation.
Memo of Understanding Reaffirmed
June 23, 2005
CTF President, Marilyn Eisele, and U.S. Forest Service Region 2 Forester, Rick Cables, reaffirm the longstanding partnership and continued cooperation in maintaining the Trail.
CT 30th Anniversary
August 22, 2004The 30th anniversary of the Trail is celebrated in Buena Vista.
Gaskill Inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame
September 20, 2002
Gudy Gaskill is inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.
CT 25th Anniversary
July 6, 1999The 25th anniversary of The Colorado Trail is celebrated at Mount Vernon Country Club.
Gudy Gaskill Bridge Dedicated
June 12, 1999
A bridge spanning the South Platte River at the junction of Segments 1 and 2 is dedicated to Gudy Gaskill. The new bridge was built using funds from Friends of The Colorado Trail, Great Outdoors Colorado, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Gudy Gaskill Endowment Fund Established
October 28, 1998The Foundation establishes the Gudy Gaskill Endowment Fund to ensure the Trail will be maintained in perpetuity.
Partnership Renewed
July 12, 1998The Foundation and U.S. Forest Service renew their partnership agreement with the signing of a Master Plan for The Colorado Trail.
Gaskill Retires
April 19, 1998Gaskill retires as president of The Colorado Trail Foundation.
Colorado Magazine Article Published
June 25, 1994
Merrill Hastings extols the qualities of the Trail in an article in Colorado magazine.
20th Anniversary Celebration Held
May 14, 1994The 20th anniversary of The Colorado Trail is celebrated at the Colorado Governor’s Mansion.
Adopt-a-Trail Program Established
October 1, 1988An adopt-a-trail program is established to maintain the Trail.
Official Dedication
July 23, 1988
Gaskill leads a group of dedicated volunteers on a “Trail-A-Bration,” the first supported trek of the Trail starting in Denver and arriving in Durango in time for the official dedication of the Trail at the Junction Creek terminus on July 23. A day later, another dedication ceremony is at the Trail’s northern terminus at Waterton Canyon.
Gaskill Presented with Thousand Points of Light Award
July 19, 1988President George H. Bush presents Gaskill with a One Thousand Points of Light Award for leading efforts to complete The Colorado Trail.
Master Agreement Signed
February 12, 1988The Colorado Trail Foundation and U.S. Forest Service sign a Master Agreement creating a partnership tasked with maintaining the Trail.
Colorado Trail Foundation Established
October 5, 1987The nonprofit Colorado Trail Foundation, under the leadership of Gudy Gaskill, is established to steward the Trail, giving new impetus to trail builders.
“Golden Spike” Ceremonies Held
September 4, 1987
“Golden Spike” ceremonies are held at Molas Pass, Camp Hale and Mt. Princeton to celebrate the linking of the Trail from Denver to Durango.
Gaskill Recognized by President Reagan
August 9, 1987Gaskill’s work is recognized by President Ronald Reagan with a Take Pride in America Award.
Trail to Nowhere Article Published
December 9, 1984
More than a decade after conception of the Trail efforts to complete it bog down. An article, “Trail to Nowhere”, which appeared in the Denver Post’s Empire Magazine, describes the problems dogging organizers in bringing the Trail to fruition.
USFS Releases Route Directive
October 14, 1980The U.S. Forest Service releases an Environmental Assessment and Route Directive for the Trail.
Colorado Trail Vision Set
May 19, 1976
Cooperative Agreement Signed
March 19, 1976A cooperative agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and the recently formed Colorado Mountain Trails Foundation is signed, creating a “unique partnership” to go forward with construction of “The Colorado Trail.”
Gaskill Asked to Organize Trail Construction
March 7, 1974
Gaskill, who at the time chaired the Colorado Mountain Club’s Huts and Trails Committee, is asked to help organize planning and construction of the Trail and is featured in a Colorado magazine article about the proposed trail.
Gudy Gaskill Joins Advisory Board
April 3, 1973Gudy Gaskill, who later became known as “The Mother of The Colorado Trail,” attends the first planning meeting and becomes part of the advisory board.
Rocky Mountain Trail Idea Conceived
February 6, 1973Bill Lucas, regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service, and Merrill Hastings, publisher of Colorado magazine, conceive the idea of creating a “Rocky Mountain Trail” between Denver and Durango as a U.S. Bicentennial project, with a proposed completion date of 1976.