ANNUAL REPORT October 1, 2013 – September 30, 2014 From the From the Executive President 1600 Director Dear Supporters, We look back on a year of change for Dear Friends, the Colorado Mountain Club with 1400 This past year we welcomed new faces confidence and an eye to the future. to almost every department in the We bid farewell to Katie Blackett, the organization, and I began my role as Club’s Chief Executive Officer for the Executive Director. I’d like to thank our past six years. We thank Katie for her dedicated staff and Board of Directors dedication and commitment to making who ensured that the organization the Club financially sound and working continued to move forward positively toward making us the premiere outdoor during a year of transition. Our commit- Colorado. We hired additional staff to recreation organization in Colorado. role dedicated to increasing member ment to fulfilling the Colorado Mountain support existing members and volunteers, The Board is pleased to have welcomed engagement and retention. This change Club’s mission, serving our members and dedicated a new position to reach Scott Robson as the Club’s new Executive will provide our Groups and many and recruiting a new generation of 1200 out to young professionals in an effort Director in September of 2014. Scott volunteers with the support they need members is greater now than ever, and to attract the next generation of CMC has a real passion for the mountains. to continue to offer all of the Club’s we are extremely excited about the members. The Club’s visibility has He has a wealth of experience in public many programs. Brenda will lead our years ahead. increased with the effective use of engagement and was nominated as Membership Services team in providing Importantly, we introduced the concept social media and availability of web-based Leader of the Year by the Chamber of excellent customer service. of a convening a Structural Task Force in Commerce & Leadership Evergreen in information, making it even easier to stay 2014. The goals of the Task Force are to 2013. We welcome Scott’s leadership current about CMC events and programs. Wishing you great adventures on the work as a cohesive group on items such and look forward to working with him All of this work would not have been to keep the Club going strong. trails and peaks! as coordinating our membership fee 1000 possible without the generous support structure across the State, streamlining We also addressed a critical organiza- of our members, volunteers and friends, financial processes between the State tional need when Brenda Porter transi- office and Groups and ensuring that who are so critical to the success of this tioned into the newly-created position the training standard of our trip leaders great organization. We are proud of our of Membership and Volunteer and instructors is consistent across the accomplishments and hope you find Engagement Director in October of organization. We believe that this work this year’s annual report both informa- 2013. The Board felt it extremely Kevin Duncan combined with implementation of our tive and compelling. important to have a staff member in a President, Board of Directors Strategic Plan, more modular-based 800 classes and enhanced member benefits Sincerely, 600 will make the CMC more inviting and relevant than ever. We are so honored to be Colorado’s longest-standing outdoor recreation organization and of the fact that we Scott Robson continue to do important work on Executive Director issues related to the mountains of Cover Photo: Gannett Peak, Wyoming (courtesy CMC Member John Martersteck) 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 About Us The Colorado Mountain Club is the state’s leading organization dedicated to adventure, recreation, conservation and education. Founded in 1912, CMC acts as a gateway to the mountains for novices and experts alike, offering an array of year-round activities, events and schools centered on outdoor recreation. The Club comprises regional groups across the state to serve the local needs of its members and partners. CMC continues to be a leading voice for the protection of wild and public lands through its conservation and stewardship programs, and its award-winning Youth Education Program brings the mountains to thousands of students every year. Along with the American Al- pine Club, CMC operates the country’s only museum dedicated to the history and spirit of mountaineering. No other organization in the Intermountain West employs such a strong or broad approach to connecting people with the Rocky Mountain landscape. Board of Directors Kevin Duncan, President Craig Clark Ray Shem, Vice President John Fernandez Linda Lawson, Treasurer Bill Landsberg Matt Stevens, Secretary Donna Lynne Tracy Atkins Scott Otteman George Barisas Uwe Sartori Matt Biscan John Spidell Trevor Bynum Kevin Volz Our Mission To unite the energy, interest, and knowledge of the students, explorers and lovers of the mountains of Colrado; collect and disseminate information regarding the Rocky Mountains on behalf of science, literature, art and recreation; stimulate public interest in our mountain areas; encourage the preservation of forests, flowers, fauna and natural scenery; and, render readily accessible the alpine attractions of the region. 1,192 volunteers gave Serving Our Members 37,300 hours of their time and CMC meets the local needs of members and partners energy to CMC last year 1600 through its Groups, which include statewide chapters serving the various regions of Colorado, as well as a chapter for people living outside the state (Friends of Colorado), a chapter for members 25 years and younger (Alpine Start) and a chapter for supporters of Volunteers make a difference! 1400 CMC’s mission both in- and out-of-state (Friends of The Colorado Mountain Club would not exist without the office. Our volunteers often say that serving with CMC). Members participate in Club activities in many our impressive cadre volunteers who do everything CMC is a way they hone skills, make friends, gain new ways — from climbing summits and learning mountain from leading trips to teaching outdoor skills. Volunteers professional contacts, get exercise, spend time out- safety skills to exploring international cultures on foot, are the leaders of our local Groups, serving in many doors and be part of an active community. Over the building trails and more — and make lifelong friends positions on leadership councils, editing newsletters, 2013/14 fiscal year, more than 1,190 volunteers gave along the way. No other organization in Colorado training leaders and more. Volunteers also serve on over 37,300 hours of their time and energy to CMC last offers the breadth of training, activities or commitment CMC’s Board of Directors and state committees, increase year, the equivalent of $936,180 in value to the Club! to safety, conservation and connecting youth with the the capacities of CMC’s Youth Education Program and outdoors as the Colorado Mountain Club. Lands Department, as well as help with events and in Volunteer1200 Spotlight Jodi Jennings, office volunteer and member of the CMC Press Advisory Committee, started volunteering with CMC because “CMC does so much 1000 to promote and en- hance outdoor experiences for members and the public.” Jodi gets the satisfaction of being able to share her skills and give back, as well as the perk of meeting and working side-by-side with CMC staff and other volunteers. “Everyone has a unique Colorado Mountain Club Colorado Mountain background and desire to be outside.” Jodi’s help 800 is essential with mailings and special projects in 600 Membership Services. In the future Jodi plans to participate in more of CMC’s schools and expand Schools & Skill Building her volunteerism by doing outdoor skills instruction. Outstanding mountain skills training and education courses from Avalanche Safety to Wilderness Trekking. are central to CMC’s mission. In 2014, more than 2,387 Wilderness First Aid training continued to be a priority adults participated in 145 educational activities across with courses offered in the Denver, Gore Range, Have skills you want to share? CMC has limitless Colorado. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers taught Boulder, Fort Collins and Pikes Peak Groups. ways to volunteer … get involved at cmc.org/volunteer 2 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 CMC Press CMC Press continues to play an active role in helping to promote the Club and Colorado’s outdoors through its award-winning guidebooks. Four titles were published by CMC Press during the 2013/14 fiscal year: The Best Front Range Hikes for Children, The 600 800 Best Aspen Hikes, The Best Telluride Hikes and 140 Great Hikes in and near Palm Springs, acquired from Big Earth Publishing. With the addition of The Best Aspen Hikes and The Best Telluride Hikes, the Press has now published a dozen regional pack guides cover- ing Colorado’s best outdoor hiking experiences. CMC Press sold 25,109 units in fiscal year 2014. 1000 Love to explore? The Best Front Range Hikes for Children did partic- Grab a great guidebook before heading ularly well with 1,022 units sold in just the first six out on your next local adventure at months of sales. Adventure Travel cmc.org/store CMC’s Adventure Travel program offered another action-packed schedule during 2014 for CMC members as well as the public. We organized a total of 19 individual trips, along with the annual1200 In-State Outing in Eagle County. Domestic destinations included Yellowstone, rafting and hiking in the Grand Canyon, several other back- packs and llama treks in the West of the U.S. and another “slack-pack” on the Appalachian Trail. Our 12 international outings featured six high altitude peaks — a record number—in destinations including Orizaba in Mexico (two trips), Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua in Argentina, Ausangate in Peru and Mount Ararat in 1400 Turkey.