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)

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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

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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

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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. The Turkey trip also included the Club’s first ever visit to Bulgaria, after visiting Ararat. Adventure Travel’s other international destinations included New Zealand “tramping,” Italy, part of the Camino de 1600 Santiago in northern Spain, Iceland and the Alps.

Love to travel? Explore the country and the world with CMC Adventure

Travel! See the schedule at cmc.org/adventuretravel Club Colorado Mountain 3 Serving Our Environment

CMC’s Lands Department works to create, define and protect the Colorado experience. We do this through: protecting ecologically significant wildlands in the Southern Rockies 1600 ecosystem; forging and maintaining access to important recreation areas across Colorado; joining with land managers to build processes, directives and plans that support sustainable

and diverse recreation within the state; and, carrying out land stewardship projects to give back to the places that we love. A big “thank you” to the volunteers who spent more than 1400 2,000 hours on trails, restoration, rehabilitation and structure construction at Badger Flats, Collegiate Peaks, Mt. Evans Wilderness, Castle Peak, Maroon Bells, Tenderfoot Mountain, Brainard Lake, Golden Gate Canyon, Jim Creek and Oilwell Flats and the many other volunteers who completed vital trail and habitat work through CMC’s Groups as well! During 2014, CMC Lands supported the following campaign initiatives: Wilds Stewardship Protected Rampart Range Wildlands, Supported Beaver Brook Trail construction,

Browns Canyon, Cumbres Pass Ecosystem, Brainard Lake Trail maintenance, Continental Colorado National Monument, Wolf Creek Divide Trail Bonanza re-route, Badger Flats 1200 Pass, Lynx Habitat, Roan Plateau, public scoping and restoration, completion of USFS oversight of Timber Harvest Trail maintenance backlog Strengthened Colorado Air Quality Stan- Engaged 266 volunteers in over 2,400 dards, BLM oil and gas lease transparency, service hours for trails, restoration, EPA climate measures, Tongass National For- rehabilitation and structure construction est carbon storage protection, State Wildlife Worked statewide from Golden to Aspen Action Plan

Access Recreation 1000 Supported continued CPW State OHV Advocated for bikes on the East Shore Trail Law Enforcement Program, Pueblo Lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, maintenance State Park Resource Management Plan to of Wildlands Access from Rollins Pass Road include Human-Powered Recreation Our Lands staff also represented CMC on the following action bodies: in Boulder County and limits to A-Basin Designations, USFS Over Snow Vehicle Rule, Outdoor Alliance Colorado, Colorado Outdoor Stewardship Coalition, and Eldora Ski Area expansions to protect RMNP License Plate creation, Protection the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance — Defense, Climate and

backcountry snow user experience of the Antiquities Act and maintenance of Recreation Committees; Federal Forest Carbon Coalition; Climate Reality Colorado MountainColorado Club

800 Launched Backcountry Snowsports Mapping USFS Travel Management Rule Check Coalition; Conservation Colorado Legislative Report Card Committee; 600 Initiative to protect Winter access Awarded the SHIFT Sustainability Award Mountain Area Land Trust Board of Directors, National Forest Access Coalition; and, the Vail Pass Task Force. Internally, Lands completed an important survey of members’ conservation priorities, a departmental re-branding, “We simply need that wild country available to us … For development of new programs in all four campaign areas and expansion of the Conservation Advisory Council to include all CMC Group Conservation it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as and Stewardship Committee members. creatures, a part of the geography of hope.” There are always new conservation challenges to meet. – Wallace Stegner on the proposed Wilderness Act, 1960 Get involved at cmc.org/lands

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Serving Our Youth Over the course of the 2013/14 fiscal year, CMC’s Youth Education Program welcomed 6,611 youth participants and 596 adult chaperones. One-third of youth participants comprised non-white ethnicities, and 48% were girls. With outside support, CMC 600 800 provided need-based scholarships that allowed 3,533 low-income students to participate who would not have been able to do so otherwise. In addition, 461 special needs students participated in our program, including learning how to rock climb. One hundred twenty-nine volunteers contributed over 415 hours assisting CMC staff. YEP is always focused on finding ways to reach new 1000 young audiences. Over the year we were able to reach new heights with our programming, implementing a successful after school program for local schools, nearly doubling our summer programming for groups and breaking ground with a new Teen Ventures program especially for 15- to 18-year-olds. CMC’s Youth Education Program connects the desire among Colorado youth to learn about and1200 experi- ence our mountain environment and the need to get 6,611 youth participants more kids outside and exploring. A recent program chaperone from Williams Smith High School gave YEP 596 adult chaperones staff this commonly heard feedback, “Our students were able to challenge themselves and really work to- gether in a meaningful way. This is a great opportunity for our students.” “Active children often experience improved physiological and social well-being, as well as higher 1400 academic achievement.” – 2013 Colorado Health Report Card Colorado Health Foundation 1600

Love seeing our young people get active and get

outside? Get involved at cmc.org/youth Club Colorado Mountain 5 American Mountaineering Museum

The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering years with her famous husband and photographer Brad- Museum celebrated the history and spirit of mountain- ford Washburn (1910 – 2007). Allen Steck (b. 1926) 1600 eering throughout the year with captivating exhibits completed many first ascents around the world and and exciting events at its home in the American is co-author of Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.

Mountaineering Center. Three temporary exhibits Fanny Bullock Workman (1859 –1925) was one of the were curated, including a retrospective of our namesake most significant contributors to female achievements in 1400 Bradford Washburn, a showing of Jake Norton’s “All mountaineering and an advocate of gender equality Sides of Everest” photographs and an exhibit by in sport and society. John Fielder celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Fun events included the ever-popular Thirsty Thursdays, Yeti Night in November and the annual Holiday Gear Party in December. The Museum’s 5th annual Gala in April saw the induction of four legendary mountaineers into the Hall of

Mountaineering Excellence: Bradford and Barbara Washburn, Allen Steck and Fanny Bullock Workman. 1200 Barbara Washburn (1914 – 2014), author of The Accidental Adventurer, was the first woman to climb Denali in 1947, exploring and mapping for several

“I never forgot my lipstick or my

apron. I am a product of my time.” – Barbara Washburn 1000

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BWAMM is the only museum in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to mountaineering. Learn more at mountaineeringmuseum.org.

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Sources of Revenue

Other 8% Membership Dues Press & 15% 600 800 Merchandise Sales 10% Local Government** 7%

Foundations Adventure Travel 7% 28% Use of Funds 1000

School Registration Individuals Fees* GENERAL & 6% 12% ADMINISTRATIVE Corporations 21% 3% In-Kind PROGRAMS 72% Contributions 1200 Adventure Travel 18% 4% FUNDRAISING Education 14% 7% *Youth Education Program & Group Schools Membership Services 12%

** Scientific & Cultural Facilities District Conservation 10% Publications 10% Museum 5% Financial Summary Other 3% 1400 Total Revenue $1,992,182 Total Program Expenses $1,585,826 Total Administrative Expenses $459,769 1600 Total Fundraising Expenses $156,477

Total End of Year Net Assets $4,360,999 The Colorado Mountain Club’s audited financial statements for the 2013/14 fiscal year are available at

cmc.org/about/governingdocuments/annualreportsandauditedstatements. Club Colorado Mountain 7

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Donor Spotlight Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, Europe and the family cabin in the Mosquito Range are some of the favorite destinations Kris and Dick Louden have enjoyed during their marriage and

life in Colorado over the past 40 years. A CMC member since 1997, Dick has also been1200 a trip leader for the past ten years, taking folks out hiking along the Front Range and snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. After retiring from a career in geology, geophysics and paleontology, Dick volunteered in Denver Public Schools elementary classrooms for more than a decade, helping in all subject areas and seeing firsthand the challenges faced by both teachers and students when it

comes to science instruction, and especially by students who struggle with English. 1000 A volunteer with CMC’s Youth Education Program since 2012, Dick spends several days a month assisting CMC’s YEP instructors in many ways, but particularly with science activities. “The programs are imaginative and their students are consistently engaged in the subject matter. It’s a reflection

Colorado MountainColorado Club of the enthusiasm of the YEP instructors. They make a strong

800 connection with the realities of nature, using outdoor activities, 600 geology, botany and weather to illustrate classroom lessons Your support will take us to new heights… meaningfully.” Dick and Kris love the outdoors and love to donate at cmc.org/support see kids learn science. They also make a generous annual gift to support the program each year because YEP connects science and the outdoors in fun, active ways for thousands of kids, many of whom are hiking, climbing or experiencing nature up close for the very first time.

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Mission Partners The Board of Directors and staff wish to express our genuine appreciation to all of our members, donors, volunteers and partner organizations who gave their generous support to the Colorado Mountain Club this past year! You power the Club and every gift, membership, volunteer hour and partnership makes CMC programs happen. You are making it possible for us to reach new heights in our second century…thank you! 600 800 Summit Society We gratefully acknowledge these donors who contributed $1,000 or more Anonymous Nicholas Clinch Thomas & Kathy Hornbein Peter Metcalf John Spidell Nathan & Tracy Atkins Kevin Duncan Robert & Ellen Hostetler Terri Morrow Holly Sprackling Stephen Bain Robyn Elmslie William Houghton Timothy O’Rourke Matthew Stevens Kurt Bartley Philip Ferranti John Karpowich Al & Dorothy Ossinger Stephanie Sundheim 1000 David Bentzin Robert Folkert George Kasynski Glenn Porzak David Swinehart Steve Bonowski Rory Fuerst Linda K. Lawson Sherry Richardson Giles Toll Lois Bueler James Gehres & Margie Valdez Roger Linfield David & Janet Robertson Janet Waddington Robert W. Burns Mary Gilkison Marilyn Logan Phyllis Rose Robert Walker & Cristy Godwin Gerald & Betsy Caplan Nona Gladbach Richard Louden Peter Scanlon Dr. Michael Zyzda Grover Cleveland Richard Griffith Donna Lynne George N. Smith

21st Century Circle 1200 We gratefully acknowledge these donors who have designated a legacy gift in their estate plans Anonymous Betsy Caplan Samuel P. Guyton Karen E. Miller Marilyn Self Rolf Asphaug Gerald Caplan Margaret Hartman Terri Morrow Bea Slingsby Nathan Atkins Thomas Cecil Janice K. Heidel Judith Oge Steve Soich Tracy Atkins Blake Clark Deirdre Hills Robert Olson J. Summers Donald Bachman Thomas Cope David Hite Al Ossinger Giles Toll Stephen Bain Beckie Covill Corinne Kelly David Pellegrini David Waddington Vern Bass Dave Covill Kristy Judd Susan Pellegrini Art Wainwright Julie Beckwith Larry W. Desaules Robert E. Kinter James C. Peterson John Wallack 1400 Tom Beckwith David W. Ditchkus Carol Kurt Robert C. Peterson Kris Wallack Lyndon Berry Linda Ditchkus Thomas Kurt Paul Raab Av West James C. Berryhill Janet L. Farrar John W. Lacher Sherry Richardson Alice White Chan Boettcher Kenneth J. Frost Linda K. Lawson David Robertson Patricia Yingst 1600 Steve Bonowski Roger Fuehrer John H. Layman Janet Robertson Jeanne Younghaus Marlene M. Borneman James Gehres Thomas Maceyka Ardis Rohwer Linda Zaparanick Walter R. Borneman Mollie Graves Loraine Mandelko John R. Ross Robert Zaparanick Rosemary Burbank Cathleen Groninger William Markley George H. Saum

Robert W. Burns Kent Groninger Richard A. McAdams William F. Schoeberlein Club Colorado Mountain 9

Get Involved 1600 Become a member 1400 n Take a class n Teach a class n Give a gift membership in honor of a birthday, graduation or anniversary n

Volunteer with our Youth Education1200 Program n Lead a trip n Build a trail n

Explore the world with Adventure Travel 1000 n Help out in the office n

Donate at cmc.org/support

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Colorado Mountain Club 710 10th Street | Suite 200 | Golden, Colorado 80401 (303) 279-3080 | [email protected]

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