Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

A nonprofit organization

$146,182 raised by 825 donors

100% complete

$125,000 Goal

Colorado’s Fourteeners contain rare and fragile native alpine tundra ecosystems that are uniquely adapted to living on these high peaks. These tundra plants –some of which exist nowhere else on earth– are ill-adapted to being trampled by the estimated 279,000 hiker use days that occur on these peaks every year. In many places, resource damage is past the point of natural recovery.

CFI partners with the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and passionate volunteers and donors nationwide to:

  1. Create a structure for engaging local communities in the protection of Colorado’s highest peaks
  2. Build and maintain sustainable hiking routes on Colorado’s 14ers to accommodate hiking use while minimizing damage to native alpine ecosystems
  3. Close, stabilize, and restore trampled and eroded areas to protect sensitive alpine plant and animal communities
  4. Educate Fourteener hikers about Leave No Trace principles and sustainable recreational practices designed to lessen ecosystem impacts

Through this unique, voluntary partnership, Colorado’s 14er ecosystems are protected from harm while continuing to make the peaks accessible to hikers without burdensome restrictions and fees.

Mission

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative protects, preserves, enhances and restores the natural integrity of Colorado's 54 peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation--the "Fourteeners"--through active stewardship and public education. CFI accomplishes its mission through volunteer-based trail construction, maintenance and restoration projects and educational programs that actively involve Fourteener enthusiasts in the long-term stewardship of these peaks.

Background Statement

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative was formed in 1994 as a partnership of nonprofit organizations, concerned individuals and public agencies to preserve the natural integrity of the 54 Colorado peaks exceeding 14,000 feet-known as the "Fourteeners"-and the high-quality recreational opportunities they provide. Founding organizations included the Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Outward Bound School, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and the US Forest Service. CFI was incorporated as an independent organization in 1996, but retains close ties and continues to partner with several founding groups each year to carry out volunteer programs and educational efforts.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

other names

CFI

Year Established

1996

Tax id (EIN)

84-1354844

Category

Environment

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

1511 Washington Ave, Suite 310
Golden, CO 80401

Service areas

Jefferson County, CO, US

Phone

303-278-7650

Social Media