Keegan Young keeganyoung@cmc.org (303) 996-2742
As Executive Director, Keegan is responsible for every aspect of the Colorado Mountain Club. He works directly with the State Board of Directors, the State Council, and the CMC's incredible, nimble staff. Keegan is deeply involved in major donor fundraising, strategic planning, volunteer development, adult education, and a variety of industry partnerships. Keegan has spent his career serving mission-based organizations, including the United Way, Tulsa Zoo, and the American Alpine Club. Keegan is a student and fan of all climbing disciplines, from trekking in the mountains to ice climbing at high altitude, and is passionate about the art of personal progression through the activities we love. He’s climbed all over Colorado and all over the planet, from Nepal to Peru. Most mornings, you can find him running on North Table Mountain or climbing at Earth Treks gym. He brings a passion for all forms of mountain craft, including mountain biking, trail running, wilderness medicine, through-hiking, and anything in the vertical frontier. When he’s not adventuring with his dog and best friend, Cat Stevens, he’s volunteering for the CMC or the Golden Gate Fire Department.
Jacob McCracken jacobmccracken@cmc.org (303) 996-2742
Jacob joined the CMC as a member shortly after moving to Colorado from southern Arizona. He worked in public accounting for a number of years before spending the last decade in the regulated utility industry in various roles that focused on financial excellence, building partnerships across operating groups, and implementing process improvements. He has taken several courses with the CMC and over the years his passion for the club and the Colorado wilderness has grown exponentially. As part of the CMC staff Jacob is excited to help the club meet the bold goals set forth in the strategic plan and to help others responsibly experience Colorado's wild spaces while protecting them for future generations at the same time. Jacob's outdoor adventures run year-round as each season seems to usher in new activities from climbing couloir in the spring to pulling on rocks in the fall. His favorite adventure partner is his daughter who he hopes will be his rope gun some day soon so he can hang dog his way up rock routes above his grade.
Carol Kotchek carolkotchek@cmc.org
Carol Kotchek moved from Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho to Boulder, Colorado in 2003. The reason for this move was to be in the heart of the vibrant Boulder climbing scene. Once established in Colorado, Carol obtained a bachelors degree in accounting. Combining career with passion, Carol was hired by the American Alpine Club as their accountant and worked in that role for ten years. Besides being their accountant, Carol had the opportunity to organize and lead events for the AAC such as the International Climbers Meet held every year in Yosemite Valley. At this event climbers from all over the USA and the World would convene in Yosemite Valley for a week of climbing, clinics, and sharing their passion of the sport. She was also the Front Range Section Chair for the AAC and had the opportunity to manage the opening event for Earth Treks, Golden, a very memorable experience. Carol’s passion is technical rock climbing. She had her 15 minutes of fame as the cover girl on the City of Rocks, Idaho guidebook and still gets a shout out in the most recent guidebook for that area. She’s also been involved in many local climbing organizations such as the Flat Irons Climbing Council, the Boulder Climbing Community, and the City of Rocks Climbing Management Plan. More than just the act of climbing, she takes pride in being an influencer on the management of climbing areas for future generations. Photo Credit: Brian Meyer Photography
Julie Mach juliemach@cmc.org
Julie joined CMC in 2013 to manage the Conservation Department’s stewardship programs and outdoor recreation advocacy initiatives. With over a decade of experience working on public lands projects in Colorado, Julie strives to bridge the gap between conservation groups, recreational users and land managers formulate smart solutions that protect both recreational and natural resources. Her role with the club includes leading advocacy efforts, spearheading the RIMS mobile app program, supervising stewardship staff and fundraising for conservation efforts. Previous positions with a conservation corps, an economic development group, an IT company and a small business start-up have given her a variety of skills in project management, fund development, innovative technology use, partnership-building and more. Julie grew up in California and received her Bachelors of Science from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania before relocating to Colorado and landing in Salida where she currently lives and works. Julie embraces the incredible recreational resources throughout the state as a trail runner, mountain biker, backcountry skier and kayaker, usually with her dog Slider in tow!
Sarah Gorecki sarahgorecki@cmc.org (303) 996-2743
Sarah joined the staff of the Colorado Mountain Club for the second time in December 2020, having previously worked as Development Director from 2009–2014 and Publishing Director from 2014–2016. She is thrilled to once again be serving as publisher of CMC Press and would love to hear from members on their ideas for outdoor books!
Sarah started her career as a wilderness ranger in Colorado and as a backcountry park ranger in Alaska, then began working for conservation nonprofits. In 2007, she completed a master’s degree in nonprofit management at Regis University. In 2014, she transitioned into book publishing, and has worked as a managing editor for VeloPress and Sounds True. Sarah has been an avid backpacker since age five, and has thru-hiked the Colorado Trail. She loves all things outdoors, especially hiking, Nordic skiing, long walks, telemark skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, and road biking.
Madeline Bachner Lane madeline@cmc.org (303) 996-2741
Madeline Bachner Lane joins the CMC as our Chief Education Officer with over 20 years of education experience, including educational evaluation, non-profit work, risk management, leading trips and guiding from Maine to Guatemala, and a decade of directing youth and outdoor education in the Denver area. Born and raised in the woods and on the creeks of rural Indiana, Madeline found her way to the mountains in Jackson, Wyoming, finishing her Masters in Environmental Education with an internship at the Murie Ranch. A Coloradan since 2010, she has enjoyed exploring rivers in her packraft and learning the new terrain of the Colorado snowpack. Through her work with CMC, Madeline hopes to continue exploring the wonders of backcountry Colorado and introducing others to the peace that can be found in the mountains.
Stacey Halvorsen staceyh@cmc.org (303) 996-2745
Stacey grew up in Evergreen, Colorado and has been a CMC member since 2002! She developed a love for the outdoors at an early age and enjoys hiking, skiing, and backpacking with her friends and family. Stacey graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of the Arts in Anthropology and participated in the INVST Community Leadership Program. She graduated from the IslandWood Graduate Residency Program on Bainbridge Island, Washington and received a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington with emphasis on non profit management, education policy, and environmental and multicultural education. Stacey has been managing programs, facilitating community partnerships, developing curriculum, and teaching outdoor and environmental education for over 15 years in Colorado and the Northwest.
As an ACE-Certified Health Coach, she currently serves on the Health and Wellness Advisory Panel for the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and as a Subject Matter Expert for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Stacey loves working with youth and sharing her passion for the outdoors, inspiring people of all ages to explore the nature in their backyard as well as in the mountains beyond.
Scott Farley scottfarley@cmc.org (303) 996-2752
Scott Farley is the CMC’s new Chief Resource Development Officer. He joined the team this year to lead all aspects of major giving fundraising, sponsorships, and events. He’s spent nearly 20 years working in a variety of nonprofit fundraising roles. Previously, he lived in Chicago, where he worked for some of the city's leading civic institutions. A Midwesterner, he’s an avid hiker, backpacker, and mountain biker. (During his time at Indiana University, he even enjoyed skiing hills with less than 300 feet of vert.) Frequent trips out West lured his family to the Rockies in 2015. Since their move, they've gone through a few pairs of hiking boots, spent countless nights in the woods, climbed a few 14ers, and started to introduce their young daughter to all the fun you can have in the mountains. Scott and his family live in Denver with Roo, their surly but lovable senior dog.
Rachel Sapp rachel@backcountrypulse.org
Rachel Sapp, our Contract Wilderness Medicine Director, has been blending professional roles in emergency medicine, climbing guiding, mountain rescue, and outdoor leadership for the past 12 years. She is a Wilderness Emergency Medical Services ALS Provider, Nurse, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, and NFPA Rope Rescue Technician, and was recently awarded the Diploma in Mountain Medicine. Rachel is the owner of Backcountry Pulse, a philanthropic-oriented wilderness medicine education company that uniquely integrates tools for rescuer mental health and works to break barriers to education. She is always up for a good ‘ol fashioned alpine sufferfest if cookies are involved, and is perpetually searching for ways to squeeze in as many mountain running miles as her lungs, legs, and daylight will allow. Rumor has it she will pull any trick out of the bag to convince her eight-year-old twin daughters to hike uphill.
Benjamin Lee benlee@cmc.org
Ben joined on in April of 2021 as our IT / Product Manager. He is responsible for the organization and improvement of the Colorado Mountain Club's relationship with technology. He is constantly thinking of ways to improve our efficiency and security. The other half of his job is as a Product Manager for the CMC's new website! Working with Jacob, he will be responsible ensuring that the new website is beautiful and user friendly for all future members. Ben has worked as a Product Manager and IT specialist in the private sector as well as a project manager for the NGO BlinkNow. Ben graduated with a Master's Degree in Information and Communication Technology for Development last May and is looking forward to serving the beautiful outdoors people of Colorado. Ben became an outdoor enthusiast during his time spent at Oregon State University during his undergrad. There he spent time hiking and trail running around the McKenzie River in southern Oregon. As a climber, Ben’s spent most of his time bouldering. However, he’s looking forward to taking the climbing courses provided by the CMC to up his game.
Claire Joseph clairejoseph@cmc.org (720) 548-1328
Claire Joseph was born and raised in Mt. Airy, Maryland where she grew up loving the outdoors, specifically having a passion in hiking. Claire graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Mass Communication and a minor in Marketing. Following graduation Claire served with AmeriCorps NCCC Southwest region as a Team Leader living in four different states and serving with three different non-profit organizations. After her 10-month service term, Claire made Colorado her permanent home in October 2019. In addition to her love of the outdoors and volunteer work Claire loves traveling the world, history, Broadway musicals and of course exploring different food spots!
Josh Weinstein
joshweinstein@cmc.org (303) 996-2750
Simple living and outdoor adventures have defined Josh’s lifestyle. His free time is filled with rock climbing, biking, running, skiing, backpacking, reading, and meditating. While Josh appreciates a good solo outing, he prefers sharing his explorations with others.
Josh grew up on the Front Range of Colorado and rapidly developed an appreciation for outdoor spaces (thanks to his parents, who have both been CMC members). After obtaining a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, he worked in a laboratory for the U.S. Geological Survey until his passion for people-centric work drew him away. Josh has since been involved with outdoor volunteer programs, youth trail crews, wilderness guiding services, and programs for people experiencing homelessness. This experience has shown him the therapeutic role that environmental education and exposure have on youth. Josh is thrilled to use his position as YEP Manager to provide the future stewards of Colorado with a sense of place in our public lands and with formative experiences that catalyze passion, joy, and curiosity.
As the new YEP Manager, Josh’s role will include managing the daily needs of youth programming, overseeing the execution of adventure camps and school trips, developing outdoor curriculum, and managing the CMC climbing wall.
Graham Ottley graham@cmc.org
Graham joins the Education Team at CMC as Instructor & Technical Schools Support Manager. He relocated to Denver from Yosemite where he spent the majority of the last two decades working and playing in the High Sierra. As an avid climber, Yosemite provided a great place to pursue leadership both in alpine settings and the workplace. He received an undergrad in North Carolina, studying Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies, and holds an MBA in Non-Profit Administration. Graham most recently served as General Manager for Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. Internationally he has climbed and traveled in Mexico, Canada, South America, & Asia. He is now excited to pursue new horizons under Colorado skies and to help all Coloradans to do the same.
Connor Maher connormaher@cmc.org (317) 607-3993
Connor grew up in the beautiful state of Indiana. Although he has an innate love for basketball and casseroles, Connor felt the need to experience the outdoors of the American West. In 2013 he volunteered on a Forest Service trail crew in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Once he learned you can get paid to hike, Connor returned for another three seasons as a Forest Service employee. In the off seasons, Connor moonlighted as an outdoor educator in Joshua Tree, California. In 2018 he then packed up his car and moved to Colorado to work for Southwest Conservation Corps, working on a Mt. Columbia reroute. He joined CMC in 2019 as a member of the stewardship crew and moved to the Stewardship Coordinator position in 2020.
kendallchastain@cmc.org (303) 996-2764
Kendall joined CMC in 2021 as the Conservation Coordinator and is helping manage the trail crew program as well as engage volunteers and project partners to grow the CMC RIMS (Recreation Impact Monitoring System) program. Kendall’s goal is to protect and enhance our shared natural resources through conservation practices, planning, and advocacy. Kendall worked seasonal positions on a youth conservation corps, a trail crew, and as a park ranger with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for six years. She made the transition to the non-profit world as the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado in early 2020 before joining the CMC. As an avid trail runner and mountain enthusiast, Kendall has witnessed the phenomena of Colorado’s most awe-inspiring places being loved to death. She is passionate about bringing the recreation community together learn and apply stewardship to protect our shared Colorado home. When she’s not working, you can find Kendall somewhere on a trail either hiking, camping, climbing, or more likely, training for an ultramarathon and eating absurd amounts of potatoes.
Roberta Farrington roberta@cmc.org
Roberta was raised between the mountains and beaches of southern California. When she moved to Colorado in 2013 to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, she felt more at home closer to the mountains. Roberta studied Geology at CU and later earned a Master’s degree in Conservation Leadership at Colorado State University. She loves to travel and has lived in the inspiring bike city of Copenhagen, Denmark and on an organic farm in Sarchi, Costa Rica. She enjoys connecting with nature, herself, and others. She finds fulfillment through volunteering and currently shares her time and skills with Girls Inc and Restorative Justice. Reach out to Roberta to get set up for success on your next mountain adventure with CMC!
Hana Hamilton hanahamilton@cmc.org
Hana grew up surrounded by the ocean in both Hawaii and Florida but has always had a passion for the mountains, which has led her to Colorado. Hana first studied Exercise Science then received her Master's Degree in Sports Management from Florida State University. From past experiences working for non-profits and with youth, Hana knew she wanted to combine her passions for the outdoors, coordinating programs, and working with kids. She found the perfect fit as the Youth Education Program Coordinator here at the CMC! She loves being outdoors climbing, backpacking, swimming in lakes, and hanging with her dog Juniper. When she is not outdoors exploring, you can find her hunting for the best vegan cupcakes, climbing at the rock gym, or flying around on a local trapeze rig. Hana is excited to work with CMC to serve the youth in our community and help instill a sense of wonder, excitement, and respect for our public lands in the next generation!
Roger J. Wendell (WBØJNR QRPp CW) rogerwendell@cmc.org (303) 279-3080 x 1
Roger has been a part-time staff member since 2013 and a CMC member and volunteer decades prior that! His primary duties directly involve him with all aspects of membership services - new memberships, membership renewals, 40 year and lifetime memberships, CMC Press and CMC store fulfillment, in addition to fielding telephone inquiries and sorting through a few dozen club emails each day. Roger also works closely with CMC trip leaders, instructors, and school directors on a wide variety of events and outings throughout the year. Roger holds the Denver Group's "D" hiker rating, advanced skier rating, and has completed BSTS, WSS, WTS, BMS, HAMS, IRCS, MOFA, WFA, ATA, AIARE Level 1, Trip Leader School and Advanced Leader Training for Adventure Travel. In addition to leading hikes and climbs, he also leads ski trips and adventure travel outings. Roger has assisted with YEP, Champ Camp, and as an assistant instructor for IRCS, BRCS, and WTS. Roger served on Denver Group Council for nine years and as chair of Denver's Classification Change Committee for over six years. He received the Denver Group's Service Award in 2017 and continues assisting all of the groups whenever possible. Roger has completed all of the 14ers in addition to a few hundred other peaks around Colorado, the country, and the world. He enjoys his grandkids, climbing 13ers, and low power Morse code on the 20 meter ham band.
Denver Group Liaison
Mary Bradley
Mary Bradley came to CMC as a volunteer in 2015 and then became the Denver Group Liaison in January 2017. She enjoys working with the CMC members, trip leaders, and school directors. New members get a hello and "how can I help get you started with all of our CMC activities" shout-out from Mary.
She loves to travel, hike, put together improptu meals with friends/family, take photos on her phone. She is a legislative ambassador at the Colorado State Capitol and has been a Capitol docent for quite some time there. Colorado's unique and spirited history is of great interest to her with trips to uncover more of this beautiful state's background.
Ashley Hanlon ashleyhanlon@cmc.org
Whether it be on wheels, on water, and mostly on her own two feet Ashley loves to explore! She’s been an avid adventurer of the mountains since she can remember. In her down time you'll find Ashley outside doing all sorts of activities, but likely crouched down identifying some pile of animal scat or wildflower on the trail.
Ashley comes to us from Virginia, but has lived in Colorado since 2016. After graduating from James Madison University with a B.S. in Environmental Conservation, Sustainability, and Development Ashley has worked for a variety of outdoor and recreation based organizations. With a passion for community service and outdoor education Ashley is excited to engage and expand membership services for the Colorado Mountain Club.
Jeff Flax
President
Mr. Flax is active with the CMC serving as the President of State Board of Directors. He is the former director of the Denver Group’s Wilderness First Aid course, instructor in the Backcountry Ski Touring School, and leads hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and biking trips for the club. He is also past chair of the Denver Group Council. Jeff is the principal of Jeff Flax and Associates, LLC, a Golden-based litigation technology consulting firm.
Dan Cummings
Vice President
Mr. Cummings is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Denver office of EFL Associates, a top 40 retainer-based executive search firm. He is a CPA and holds both an MBA and an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards in the past. Mr. Cummings is an avid hiker, camper, and cyclist.
Mark Armstrong
Treasurer
Mr. Armstrong is a Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Regional Manager responsible for U.S. Bank's Colorado, Utah, and Arizona Portfolio Management teams. He holds an MBA from the University of South Dakota and bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Accounting from Iowa State University. He has served on various non-profit boards in the past focusing on supporting a National Park, outdoor based volunteerism, youth experiences on the Appalachian Trail, people development and risk management within the banking industry. Mr. Armstrong is an avid skier, hiker, mountain biker, and novice fly fisher.
Maren Olson
Board Member
Jason Antin
Jason Antin, a native of New England who now calls Colorado home, focuses all of his time striving to achieve the ultimate work-life balance. Beyond helping launch a handful of outdoor focused start-up companies, he also spends much of his time working as a Technical Climbing Guide for Alpenglow Mountain Guides and Denver Mountain Guiding, and as a strength and conditioning coach at The Alpine Training Center in Boulder, CO where he prepares his athletes for the physical and mental rigors of the mountains. Off the clock, Jason shares his home in Golden, CO with his wife Jenny and 3-year old daughter Avery. He enjoys moving quickly in the mountains over all mediums that mother nature shares with us whether that be trails, rock, ice or snow.
Kristen Buckland
Don first joined CMC in 1975 when he took the Basic Mountaineering School and was impressed with the attention to detail and safety in recreating in the mountains. After a long stint in the Chicago area as a research scientist in the food industry he longed to return to Colorado and rejoined CMC 16 years ago. He has held various positions on the Northern Colorado Group Council as Program Director, Group Chair, and most recently as State Council Representative. In addition to involvement in trail building and maintenance he leads hiking, snowshoe and cross-country ski trips for the club and instructs in the cross-country ski and beginning snowshoe workshops.
Christine (Chris) Chopyak
Jon Frederick
Jon Frederick is a lifelong skier and climber who grew up in the mountains of Washington State. After relocating to Colorado in 2007 with his wife Kelly, Jon found himself managing the marketing department at the renowned specialty retailer Bentgate Mountaineering in Golden, CO. Two kids and countless backcountry hours later he oversaw marketing at Rab/Lowe Alpine before being promoted to the brands’ top U.S. spot in 2019 as Country Manager. Jon now calls Golden, CO home with Kelly, Lena & Owen and spends his summers running & climbing in the Rockies while waiting for temps to drop so he can pursue his favorite activities; winter alpine climbing & backcountry skiing.
Peter Hamilton
Mr. Hamilton is a Senior Principal in the Denver office of CBIZ CMF LLC, a national financial consulting firm with specific expertise in working with portfolio companies of middle market private equity funds. He is a CPA and holds a bachelor of science from Miami University and an MBA from the University of Illinois. Mr. Hamilton thoroughly enjoys being outdoors whether hiking, running, cycling or skiing. He, his wife Kathie, and their children live in the Denver Tech Center.
Robert Luecke
Robert is a Colorado native whose great grandparents bought a house on the southwest corner of Alameda and Lincoln in the early 1940s for $23,000 which is still standing today. He is an avid seeker of the history of Colorado and the West and spends considerable work hours and free time understanding life and resource extraction during the Westward Expansion. He holds bachelors degrees in environmental science and civil engineering from Metro State and the University of Colorado and is an engineer-in-training and geologist-in-training. Robert works as a geological engineer for Brierley Associates where he specializes in abandoned mine reclamation, geo-structural design, rock mechanics, soil-structure interaction, and design of grout and concrete.
Robert strives to keep family his first priority. His outdoor activities include rock and ice climbing-with a focus on alpinism and efficient uphill movement, backcountry snowboarding, cycling, trail running, and gardening. He has taken many volunteer roles in the community as a former section chair for the American Alpine Club, an officer of outreach for the American Society of Civil Engineers Colorado Section, audio/video support for a local church. Robert is based out of Arvada.
Jesse Mattner
Merrillee Millar
Jason Mittman
Jason is passionate about family, friends, the outdoors, commercial real estate, public speaking, and business coaching. He is a competitive athlete and a mountaineer.
He is a licensed Texas Real Estate Broker, CCIM, Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC) Member, and holds a degree in business from U.T.S.A. Jason has over 25 years of Real Estate expertise including analysis, sourcing, development, construction, leasing, finance, acquisition, disposition, and brokerage. Mittman has invested in, owned and developed across the spectrum of real estate including medical office, multi-family, multi-tenant retail, land, hospitality, & single tenant assets.
Jason has worked on complex commercial transactions with a variety of issues including entitlement, environmental, lease, finance, cross-easement, eminent domain, foreclosure, defeasance, development, and re-development. Jason has negotiated difficult leases, development and construction, as well as building purchases and sales with a long list of companies. Jason has invested in real estate in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Jason focuses considerable effort to various philanthropies focused on the issues of children: poverty, literacy, and physical and mental health; educating, protecting, and increasing access to the outdoors; mentoring young adults on entrepreneurship; and Jewish continuity. He is passionate about giving thought provoking presentations and leadership workshops on the topic of “Applying lessons from the world’s most brutal races.”
Jason competed for 16 years on the elite adventure racing team: “Team Vignette”. The team has 7 national championships, 53 first place overall finishes, and 88 top 3 overall finishes. He has served on a variety of boards and committees including the US-Israel Science and Technology Foundation, International Technology and Trade Network, The Young Survival Coalition, PESOMEX, Anti-Defamation League, the San Marcos School Bond Committee, Camp Young Judea, and is currently on the board of governors of the Society of Exchange Counselors.
Evan Randall
Evan Randall has worked as a commercial real estate attorney at Holland & Hart LLP for the last 16 years where he works with clients on leases, property sales and acquisitions, renewables and other infrastructure projects, and other real estate matters. He has a B.A.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master in Urban Planning and a law degree from the University of Kansas.
Evan enjoys hiking, backpacking and running. This last summer he took his daughter and his niece on their first backpacking trips. Several years ago, he joined the Colorado Mountain Club and has appreciated and benefitted from the many classes that CMC offers.
Rachel Roberts
Kathy Workman
Glenn Barr
State Council Chair
Glenn has been a CMC member since 2014, and a Pikes Peak Group Council member since 2015. After a long stint as a Boy Scout leader, Glenn moved his passion for the outdoors to the CMC where he serves as an instructor and trip leader. After completing the Basic Mountaineering and High Altitude Mountaineering classes, he still likes to backpack to remote destinations to explore the Colorado wilderness year-round. Glenn's goal for the State Council is to increase the communication and coordination between the Groups, Board, and Committees. This will help ensure the experience and concerns of local groups and members inform problem-solving and decision making as the CMC continues to deliver on its strategic vision while moving towards 2025.
Carrie Simon
State Council Vice Chair
Carrie Simon joined CMC 2007 to learn some new rock climbing skills. The graduation climb was indelible and she will cherish those first memories of CMC camaraderie for life.
She spent a lot of time climbing with her new friends, then decided to join the local chapter council as the marketing chair. In addition, Carrie is a trip leader, international trip leader, instructor.
Don Carpenter
Secretary
Don first joined CMC in 1975 when he took the Basic Mountaineering School and was impressed with the attention to detail and safety in recreating in the mountains. After a long stint in the Chicago area as a research scientist in the food industry he longed to return to Colorado and rejoined CMC 16 years ago. He has held various positions on the Northern Colorado Group Council as Program Director, Group Chair, and most recently as State Council Representative. In addition to involvement in trail building and maintenance he leads hiking, snowshoe and cross-country ski trips for the club and instructs in the cross-country ski and beginning snowshoe workshops. His recent goal is to see the State Council become a more active and important part of the State CMC.
Board Liason
Sandy Heise
State Council Member
Sandy first joined the CMC in 1994. She graduated from the Boulder Group’s Hiking Program, Basic Mountaineering School (BMS), Rock Leading School (RLS), and Advanced Mountaineering School (AMS). She has also taken shorter CMC courses in self-rescue, advanced anchor building, and backcountry skiing. Sandy has served as a Senior instructor for Boulder BMS, an Assistant instructor for AMS, a trip leader, and committee member (Safety and BMS committees).
After moving down to the San Juan Mountains, she joined the CMC’s San Juan Group (no longer operating) but eventually moved back to the Front Range and switched to the Denver Group. She is currently serving on the Denver Group Council and is a BPX (backpacking) trip leader.
Sandy has co-authored two Falcon Guides (“Hiking Colorado, 4th Edition”; “Best Hikes Near Denver and Boulder, 2nd Edition”) and authored a new CMC Press book (“Colorado Waterfall Hikes”).
Brenda Leach
Brenda has been a CMC member for 27+ years. Brenda had been very active in the Boulder Group while living in the Front Range. She volunteered as an A/B hikes and rock climbing trip leader, Basic Rock School senior instructor, Rock Leading School assistant instructor and the Spring/Summer/Fall School Director. In 2008, Brenda served as the Boulder Group Chair. In 2013, Brenda was presented with the CMC's Blaurock "Silver Piton" Award. Brenda and her husband retired and moved to the Western Slope in 2018 where she is now the Western Slope Group Chair. Brenda enjoys rock climbing, hiking, camping, gardening, traveling and house remodeling.
Terry McCanne
Terry was born and raised in Colorado and has been a member and leader of the CMC since 1977. Terry taught 4th or 5th grade in Pueblo for 34 years and retired in 2021. He completed his last 14er in 1998. Traveling is one of his passions and has been to all 50 states, New Zealand, and with his wife of 35 years, China, and many of the countries of Europe. He was the chair of the El Pueblo Group in the early 80s and hopes to increase the membership of the group to levels of decades past.
Mike Miller
Mike joined the Colorado Mountain Club in 1986. He became active with the Denver Group as a trip leader, a Telemark Ski instructor, a Wilderness Trekking School instructor, and a member of the Denver Group Council. In 2013, Mike retired from his job with the Colorado Department of Education and moved to Carbondale, where he and his wife Valerie built a home. Soon after moving to the Western Slope, Mike connected with the Aspen Group and began leading trips for the group. In 2016, Mike was asked if he would accept the chair position for the Aspen group, which he agreed to in 2017. The following year, Mike successfully lobbied to have the group’s name changed to the Roaring Fork Group. In addition to his duties as the Roaring Fork CMC Group Chair, Mike spends his time as a volunteer wilderness ranger for White River National Forest and is a DJ at KDNK radio in Carbondale.
David Sanders
David has been a CMC member since 2006 and is currently a member of the Denver CMC Group. He has also been a member of the Colorado Wilderness Kids Group (when he and his kids were much younger) and was a member of the Shining Mountains Group (Estes Park) before it merged with the Fort Collins group.
David is an active Trip Leader with the Denver group and a graduate of the Wilderness Trekking School and the Alpine Scrambling Class. For the last couple of years, David has also served as an Instructor for the Wilderness Trekking School and enjoys helping others, especially those new to Colorado, learn how to enjoy and safely travel in the backcountry.
Candace Winkle
Candace received her M.S. in Geology in Wisconsin, then moved to Colorado to work and play in the mountains. When the oil business tanked in the 80’s, she redirected her career to IT project management. Always enthusiastic about the outdoors, she discovered and joined the CMC in 2004 and within a few years started leading trips for the Denver Group. In her quest for Colorado’s highest 100 peaks, she led mostly peak-bagging day and backpack trips - so many that the CMC recognized her with an award. In 2009 she moved to Summit County and later transferred to the Gore Range Group, where she currently leads hiking, backpacking, snowshoe and various types of ski trips. She loves traveling and finding new places for her activities. Other volunteer work includes past director and president positions on her local water district and HOA Boards.