2025 Field Season Recap

2024 Colorado 14er Hiking Use Estimates

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

23 hours ago

Ever wonder how timber check steps are born?It takes a lot of work! Our crew carefully harvests beetle-kill trees, cuts them to size, hauls them to the trailhead, and installs them where hikers need them most. The result? Steps that help hikers climb safely AND prevent erosion.Timber check steps are one of our most effective tools for building sustainable trails. They direct foot traffic, stabilize slopes, and protect the fragile alpine vegetation around them. Plus, they're built to last—doing their job for years to come.Next time you're tackling a steep section of trail, say a silent thank you for these wooden wonders. They're the result of serious effort from our crew and volunteers. 💪 ... See MoreSee Less

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

1 week ago

We have one open trail crew position for a fixed-site project on upper Mount Shavano this summer—and we need to fill it pronto.The work schedule is eight days on, six days off. Work days are 10 hours long and require a three-mile, 3,000-foot-elevation-gain hike. The technical nature of this project means applicants should have multiple years of experience in rock work, full bench construction, trail restoration, rigging and grip hoist operation, and familiarity with working in steep, technical terrain. Pay is $20-$24/hour.👉 Send your résumé to hiring@14ers.org ASAP. ... See MoreSee Less

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

3 weeks ago

⛏️ Two trail crew spots just opened up for a fixed-site project on Mount Shavano this summer — and we need to fill them fast. Think you have what it takes to build and maintain trails at 14,000 feet?The mid-mountain crew, known as the Mid Shavano crew, will tackle a daily hike of up to three miles with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Approximately 25 percent of the crew's time will be focused on finishing the restoration of the old trail at an elevation of around 13,500 feet. The other 75 percent of the season will be spent completing deferred maintenance on the existing trail, including constructing rock structures. This project will require a wide range of different trail construction and restoration techniques; as such, two or more seasons of trail work experience are preferred.The work schedule is eight days on, six days off. Work days are 10 hours long. The technical nature of this project means applicants should have multiple years of experience in rock work, full bench construction, trail restoration, rigging and grip hoist operation, and familiarity with working in steep, technical terrain.👉 Send your résumé to hiring@14ers.org ASAP. ... See MoreSee Less

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

4 weeks ago

Last week, CFI's 2026 seasonal crew headed up Mt. Elbert — Colorado's highest peak — for hands-on training. Rock steps, backwall, and views that don't quit. This is what it looks like to learn the craft at 14,000 feet. ⛏️🏔️#Colorado14ers #TrailCrew #CFI #MtElbert #TrailBuilding🎥 Miriam Venman-Clay ... See MoreSee Less

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Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

4 weeks ago

Staff orientation hits a little different when your classroom is above the clouds.Welcome to CFI's 2026 trail crew training, where the commute is straight up, the views are unreal, and the work is really, really hard. 🏔️⛏️ ... See MoreSee Less

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