Bailey, Effie (1992):
for her leadership in the community. Bailey was born in Routt County in 1909. While raising her children alone after her husband’s death, she bid on and won a mail route from Hamilton to Pyramid, which she ran for several years. She then moved to Hayden, so her children could attend high school. She was especially proud of her efforts to help establish the Hayden Power Station and Yampa Valley Airport. Her most outstanding contribution was the establishment of the Hayden Heritage Center, which is located in the old Moffat Railroad Depot in Hayden. She was the District Noble Grand of Rebekah’s, I.O.O.F, District Commander of the American Legion Auxiliary and she served as an officer in numerous other organizations.
Baldwin, Bill (2007):
for his leadership in the community. Baldwin is a former member of the Steamboat Springs School Board and the boards of directors for Colorado Mountain College and the Yampa Valley Land Trust. He exemplifies local heritage, ranching, traditions and community involvement not only for those who share the valley today but also for all who follow in his footsteps.
Bliss, Eleanor (1993):
for her leadership and dedication to education and the arts. Bliss was the first female member of New York City’s prestigious Explorers Club. She spearheaded the drive to remodel the Depot and make it the home of the Steamboat Springs Arts Council. She was also a supporter of the Lowell Whiteman School and the Perry-Mansfield Camp, which she attended in 1924.
Bonnifield, Paul and Ellen (2019):
for their dedication to education and preserving local history. The Bonnifields are local historians and author the “Bonnifield Files”, a local history column, in the Valley Voice. Paul has been a rancher, miner, and educator. Ellen is a poet and was the first librarian at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus, and has taught elementary, high school, and college classes.
Bowes, Bill (2002):
for his dedication to local skiing heritage. Bowes, a Steamboat Springs resident since 1963, received the Leckenby Pioneer Award in recognition of his service to the sport of skiing. He was the West Coast Intercollegiate champion in slalom and downhill, as well as the Western Canadian champion around 1940. He interrupted his college education and entered the Army, serving three years in the famed 10th Mountain Division. During his tenure in the 10th Mountain Division, Bowes met Steamboat Springs Olympian Gordy Wren, who planted glowing reports of the Yampa Valley in his fellow soldier’s mind. After earning a Master’s degree in mining geology from Utah State University, Bowes went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission and private geology concerns. Upon moving his family to Steamboat Springs, Bowes established his own firm, consulting with clients in the fields of geology and mining. He served on the original county Planning Commission, chaired the Winter Carnival for several years, and served on the board of directors of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. He was its president for several terms.
Brummett, Eldon (1991):
for his leadership in the community. Brummett and his wife and daughter moved to Steamboat Springs after WWII in 1946. He started his own accounting business and a stationary supply store. He was also the secretary and treasurer for the SSWSC for many years. He was secretary of the Recreation Council, president of the Northwest Colorado Board of Realtors, member of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Lions Club, and served two terms on the Town Council.
Carpenter, Ferry (1980):
for his leadership and dedication to local agriculture. Carpenter originally came west for health reasons in his teens. He eventually attended Princeton University to study law, and after he graduated he homesteaded near Hayden. He was a cattle breeder and lawyer in Hayden. He became one of the most informed people on land and grazing laws, and was eventually asked to go to Washington, D.C., to help draft a national policy bill, which became the 1934 Taylor Grazing Bill, and he became the first National Director of Grazing. He served as the state’s first Director of Revenue under Governor Ralph Carr. He was named Colorado Stockman of the Year, and has, over the years, been Routt County attorney, District Attorney, and Denver University’s first Director of Development. He tackled numerous public service projects, from raising funds to building a modern hospital for Hayden, to planning a large-scale development program for Denver University. At the age of 65 he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, serving with distinction. His public service also included school and town board memberships and 27 years of dedication to the Solandt Hospital board.
Elkins, Marvin (1995):
for his leadership in the community. Elkins was born near Milner in 1916. He served for more than 2 years in the 10th Mountain Division during WWII. He was a member of the Selective Service Board, Commander of the American Legion, President of the Steamboat Springs Ski Club, town board member, mayor, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and member of Club 20. He was also appointed as a State Parks Board member. He had a large role in developing Steamboat Lake and establishing the Hayden Airport.
FitzPatrick, Val (1986):
for his leadership and work with the newspaper. FitzPatrick worked with many newspapers, including The Pilot—he started the Herald in Oak Creek, the Haxton Harvest in eastern Colorado, and bought the failing Seibert Settler, turning it into a successful newspaper once again. He was a part of organizations involving people around the world. A partial list includes: Haxton and Seibert Community Bands, National Directory Co., The Plainsmen’s Association, Days of the Old West, No-Name Psychology, Hawaiian Memories, Plains Conservatoire, Mystic River Mines, and Back Trail Bunch. He mined uranium in Northwest Colorado, and eventually he found himself acting as advisor to 52 individuals and companies around the world. He wrote many books about many topics, include the Ute Indians and life in the West.
Gay, Bill (2014):
for his leadership and dedication to local agriculture. Gay is a son of pioneers. He was so deeply involved in 4-H that he was chosen to become a 4-H delegate who traveled abroad and returned to share with others the lessons he had learned, and later became the coach of the youth livestock judging team for more than 20 years, leading them to winning performances. He has also served on the boards of the Yampa Valley Land Trust and the Purchase of Development Rights program. Gay and his mother, Elaine, received the 2002 Colorado Riparian Stewardship Award for protecting streams and the Yampa River on their ranch south of Steamboat Springs.
Gay, Elaine (2001):
for her leadership in the community. Gay and her late husband, Bob, were instrumental in a 25-year struggle to preserve the area surrounding their ranch about eight miles south of Steamboat Springs. The Gays maintained their dignity and western hospitality through many years of resisting the original plans to transform the Lake Catamount area with construction of a major ski area and a resort village with enough dwelling units for 10,000 people. Gay authored a book How Pleasant is the Valley, which preserves memories and tales of everyday ranching life. She met annually with local fourth-graders to talk about forgotten implements used for accomplishing farm and ranch chores in another era.
Gibson, Marion (2017):
for her dedication to her work as a nurse and helping the community. Gibson was smitten with Steamboat Springs in the midst of a 1960 road trip along U.S. Highway 40 from her home in Pennsylvania. She worked as a school nurse in Hayden for three decades and claimed a Florence Nightingale Award along the way. She also started a children’s ski club in Hayden, and delivered Meals on Wheels until they told Marion she couldn’t drive anymore.
Green, Jerry (2016):
for his leadership and contributions to preserving local history. Green was born in the Solandt Hospital in Hayden and was raised on his family’s ranch. As a boy, his first six years of school were spent in one-room school houses in Dunstan (organized in 1892) and Beardsley (organized 1913). He is credited with helping the museum in Hayden achieve financial stability—the foundation that allowed it to evolve into a year-round facility with a paid curator and two paid summer docents. Green served on the board of directors of the Hayden Heritage Center for more than 35 years and as its treasurer for more than 30 years. Green and his wife, Judy, have supported Hayden High School sports, the Masons/Worthy Matron, Pioneer Picnic, County Fair, and Historic Routt County.
Green, Judy (2011):
for her dedication to preserving local history. Green grew up on a wheat farm near Strasbourg and went on to attend Colorado State University, where she earned a degree in biology and a teaching certificate while showing off her rodeo skills by twice qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo. In the process, she caught the eye of Jerry Green, her future husband. They taught together in the public schools in Grover before moving back to Jerry’s hometown of Hayden to take over the ranch begun by his great-grandfather in 1895. She was a founding member of Historic Routt County’s barn preservation program, and she received the preservation award from Historic Routt County in 2001. A longtime member of the Routt County CattleWomen, she was named CattleWoman of the Year in 1999. Judy and Jerry Green were recognized in 2008 for the efforts to preserve Western heritage by the Community Agricultural Alliance.
Haslem, Sam (2006):
for his dedication to local agriculture. Haslem was nominated for the award because of his accomplishments with the Routt County Extension Office. He worked to expand the Routt County Fair by bringing water and electricity access to the fairgrounds and by mentoring generations of 4-H youth. Haslem’s work with developing the sheep industry in Routt County and work with the National Western Stock Show also were mentioned.
Hellyer, Donna (2010):
for her leadership in the community. The Hellyers first came to the Yampa Valley in 1952 and became pioneers of the off-the-slope activities that ski vacationers have come to expect. Hellyer is a longtime planning commissioner in the town of Hayden and with Routt County government. However, she may be just as well known for her sourdough rolls and the sleigh rides she and her late husband, Del, ran for several decades at the base of Steamboat Springs Ski Area. In the early 1970s, guests paid $14 or $15 for a sleigh ride up the hill to a tent, where they settled in for a chuck steak dinner with baked potato, fruit salad and sourdough rolls. The authentic rolls were made from 100-year-old starter given to Donna Hellyer by a pair of old-timers. She helped develop a historical walking tour of Hayden, served on the volunteer staff of the Hayden Heritage Center, and was co-chairperson of the Hayden affiliate of the Northwest Colorado Cultural Heritage Tourism Initiative; she has also served on the Hayden Chamber of Commerce Board, Yampa Valley Film Board, Hayden Artisans’ Market, the garden club, and the farmers market.
Herold, Rita (2022):
for her dedication to preserving local history. Herold’s family owns and operates a fifth-generation ranch outside Yampa. She has written two books on Routt County history: Yampa Valley’s Lost Egeria Park and Hidden History of Routt County. She has been a board member and volunteer for the CattleWomen’s Association, Routt County Historic Preservation Review Board, and the Yampa-Egeria Historical Society.
Holderness, Pat (1996):
for her leadership in the community. Holderness was born to a pioneer family at the Solandt Hospital in Hayden. She started a landscaping and nursery business, became a member of the Routt County Planning Commission, and was president of the Hayden Chamber of Commerce. She was a Routt County Commissioner from 1980-1984. She was a charter member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, a 4-H leader, and in 1982, she donated property to the Town of Hayden for an expansion of the town park.
Leckenby, Charles (1984):
for his leadership and work with the newspaper. Leckenby has been associated with The Pilot since 1889, when he arrived in Steamboat Springs. In the more than 60 years that he was with the paper as a printer, editor, and publisher, he guided it to its high place as one of the leading newspapers of Colorado. His constant urging was one of the factors that brought the building of the Moffat Tunnel, when inadequate railroad transportation so hampered the growth of the county—he was one of the members of the original Moffat Tunnel commission and the last surviving member of the group that was in charge of boring the six mile bore under the Continental Divide. He also served as mayor of Steamboat Springs and for a number of years was clerk of the district court.
Long, Linda (2004):
for her leadership in the community. Long has spent 32 years serving as a Routt County Fair superintendent, 28 years as a local 4-H leader, 20 years as a fair judge, 15 years as a fair association board member and 10 years as a member of the Colorado State Fair Board. In 2003, she was named the state’s fairperson of the year. She has volunteered with the South Routt School District for more than three decades, and she serves on its School Board. The granddaughter of Routt County homesteaders, Long quickly learned to appreciate the history and culture of the area, and she has a strong sense of devotion to helping others.
Lufkin, Don (1999):
for his leadership in the community. Lufkin was born in Steamboat Springs in 1923. He served in the Navy during WWII, working as a diesel mechanic on an APA landing craft in the South Pacific and Philippine Islands, before returning to Steamboat Springs to ranch. In addition to other causes, he donated money to help build the Lufkin LIFT-UP Center, the Lufkin Library at the Tread of Pioneers Museum, and the Lufkin Atrium in a wing of the Yampa Valley Medical Center. His favorite causes were those benefiting youths, seniors and promoting the health of residents of the Yampa Valley, all of which he funded through the Lufkin Family Endowment Fund of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation. He served on the board of the Routt Memorial Hospital for more than 15 years, including two as president; served on the board of the Routt County Foundation for Senior Citizens; and the board for the Mesa Schoolhouse as well as the committee to acquire and refurbish the school. He also was a longtime member of Rotary, the Routt County Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Cattlemen Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs.
McKelvie, Bill (2013):
for his leadership and contributions to preserving local history. McKelvie came to Steamboat Springs in 1973 and spent 30 years teaching in the high school. He started the Three Wire Winter magazine, which was written and photographed by students in his classes, along with fellow English teacher Tanna Brock, prior to the United States Bicentennial Celebration. The magazine featured local history told through the words of those who had lived it. He has been the chairperson and a driving force of the Northwest Colorado Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for many years, continues to volunteer at Steamboat Springs and South Routt schools, and has been known to dress up as a mountain man to share his passion for history with students by talking about early trappers and explorers.
Moore, Noreen (2018):
for her leadership and contributions to preserving local history. Moore moved to Routt County in 1972, where she lived and ran a restaurant with her late husband, Dinty. Her work in South Routt has included helping to build a youth center, organizing efforts to make improvements in Yampa following the Royal Hotel fire, and most recently, working to restore Crossan’s M & A Market. Moore was a key player with Friends of Crossan’s, the group that raised money and worked to renovate the historic Yampa building into a space to house the local museum, town offices, and community space.
Perry, Mary Jean (2008):
for her leadership in the community. Perry, whose great-grandfather homesteaded the region known as Egeria, started the first library in South Routt. Today, she works in the Yampa Library and operates her own library in Toponas. The Toponas library, in a room above her home, was public until just a few years ago. But anyone is still welcome to drop by. Her greatest contribution might have been her determined work on behalf of rural electrification, an effort that spanned three decades.
Phillips, Lewis (1982):
for his leadership in the community. Phillips was born in Routt County in 1902 and lived here his whole life. Besides ranching, he operated the Montgomery Store in Yampa and was the caretaker of the Yampa Cemetery for more than 30 years. He was also active in the churches, including St. Paul’s Episcopal and the Egeria Lodge in Yampa, where he served as secretary for more than 40 years.
Richards, Dee (1998):
for her leadership and contributions to preserving local history. Richards moved to Steamboat Springs in 1950 and was editor of The Pilot from 1966 to 1989. After she retired, she was in Sri Lanka with the Peace Corps for two years. She then returned to Steamboat Springs in 1993 and worked with the Routt County Planning Department. She also wrote the book Steamboat ‘Round the Bend, about the history and development of the town.
Robinson, Bobby, Sr. (1988):
for his leadership in the community. Robinson’s family homesteaded in Elkhead when he was four years old. He attended first grade at the Rock School House the first year it opened. He started a construction company, Robinson Construction, in 1945. He was very active in the community, serving on the Hayden City Council, the Solandt Hospital Board, the Routt County Fair Board, the Babson Carpenter Board, and was one of the founders of the Yampa Valley State Bank—he has been on that board since its inception and was the chairman when the bank was recently sold.
Romberg, Jane and Bud (2009):
for their leadership and dedication to education. In 1966, Bud Romberg was hired at Steamboat Springs High School to teach science. In 1969, Jane Romberg began working with the Steamboat Springs School District as an elementary school media specialist. What followed were lengthy careers not only in local education, but also in numerous civic and community groups, activities and boards. Bud Romberg served on the board of directors for what is now Old Town Hot Springs for 40 years, Steamboat Springs School Board for more than 10 years, Steamboat Springs City Council, Kiwanis Club, Urban Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee, and more. Jane Romberg served on the Steamboat Springs Arts Council board from 1989 to 1992, LIFT-UP of Routt County, the League of Women Voters, Yampa Valley Medical Center Auxiliary, American Association of University Women, the former Community Concert Association, the local Jewish congregation Har Mishpacha, which Bud Romberg also is active with, and more.
Rossi, Margaret (1986):
for her leadership and dedication to nursing. Rossi moved to Oak Creek with her family when she was 15, and graduated from Oak Creek High School in 1939. She was instrumental in starting the Northwest Colorado chapter of the Visiting Nurses Association, she worked at the one-bed hospital in Oak Creek, helped lay the ground work for elderly transportation in Routt County, was active in church work, president of the Yampa Historical Society, and served on the Yampa Town Board.
Semotan, Evelyn and Quentin (1989):
for their dedication to local agriculture. Evelyn was born in Wolcott in 1902. She was on the founding board of the YVEA, and later became its president. She was also on the Routt County Memorial Hospital board for ten years. She kept her ranch going through the Great Depression, even tripling its size. Evelyn and Quentin helped form the American Quarter Horse Association. Quentin was born in the Deep Creek area in 1912. After he and Evelyn married in 1936, they began breeding horses, and registered some of the first horses in the newly developed Quarter Horse registry.
Sprengle, Jack (2020):
for his leadership in the community. Sprengle moved to Steamboat Springs in 1941 at the age of 10. After graduating from CSU and serving a tour of duty in Korea, he returned to Steamboat Springs and was well known as a local banker. He was a 4-H leader for 20 years, and worked with both the Routt County and Steamboat Springs planning committees, as well as being active in the Steamboat Springs Lions Club and Holy Name Catholic Church; he spent 12 years on the Board of the Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Association (now the Old Town Hot Springs), served on the Cemetery Board, and has volunteered at Lift-Up and the Tread of Pioneers Museum for more than 20 years.
Stanko, Jim (2015):
for his leadership in the community. Stanko is a third-generation rancher and veteran. He was a former Tread of Pioneers board member who has volunteered with the museum in some capacity since 1976. He is also involved in the local community in many ways, including as a veteran involved with the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, as a 4-H volunteer, and in numerous projects at the Steamboat Springs Cemetery.
Stanko, Natalie (2003):
for her dedication to education. Stanko who lived in Routt County for almost 70 years, is known for her teaching and volunteering career. She was recognized for her teaching career, in which she taught sixth-grade classes and also substitute-taught classes. She influenced the community through raising her two children, helping with her friends’ children, and serving in 4-H clubs and church, according to her nomination letter.
Stettner, Arianthe (2021):
for her dedication to preserving local history. Stettner helped to found Historic Routt County in the 1990s. She has been passionate about educating the public about Steamboat Springs’ historic places and the importance of preserving them. She has been instrumental in helping to preserve historic buildings in Routt County.
Summer, Vernon (1994):
for his leadership in the community. Summer was born in Steamboat Springs in 1917. Vernon spent many hours of his youth on the slopes and ski jumps of Howelsen Hill and later joined Jim Temple, John Fetcher, Buddy Werner, and others in skiing and studying the potential of a soon-to-be developed ski area on the flanks of Storm Mountain, now known as Mount Werner. He continued there as a charter member of the ski patrol for many years and continued to ski recreationally until he was nearly 90. He served on Steamboat Springs’ first planning commission as well as a special commission to build the jail west of town. Along with his wife, he was a longtime board member and supporter of the Tread of Pioneers Museum. He was an encyclopedia of local history and recalled with detail families and events that shaped this community. He had the ability to make history come alive with his endless recollection of stories.
Utterback, John “Doc” (1985):
for his leadership in the community. Utterback came to Steamboat Springs “a babe in arms, on a four-horse stage” when he was about ten months old. He went to CSU to become a veterinarian, and graduated in 1935. He was county commissioner for eight years, and won County Commissioner of the Year for Colorado in 1975.
Webber, Walter Raymond (1981):
for his leadership in the community. In 1922, Webber accepted the job of operating the electric plant for the coal company at Bear River and Coalview. Five years later, he moved to Steamboat Springs and opened an electrical services and supply shop, Webber’s Electric (later W-B Electric). He was responsible for the colored lights on the courthouse every Christmas. He also purchased a sound truck, which he used for announcements, as well as during parades and Winter Carnival. He was a member of the Lion’s Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and both veteran’s organizations.
Whiteman, Lowell (1997):
for his dedication to education. Whiteman was born in 1918 in Hayden. He taught fencing, among other things, at the Perry-Mansfield Camp from 1937-1942, and again from 1946-1963. He served as a deck officer for the Navy Reserve during WWII. He eventually opened the Lowell Whiteman Ranch for boys in 1946 in Strawberry Park to complement the Perry-Mansfield girls’ camp. The Whiteman School, a college prep boarding school, was founded in 1957.
Wither, Dorothy (1984):
for her leadership and dedication to preserving local history. Wither was born in Steamboat Springs in 1903. She was a lifetime resident of Routt County, a member of the Christian Science Church, PEO Sisterhood, past member of the Ladies' Recreation Club, Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association, and Colorado Mountain College. She was a past treasurer and charter member of the Tread of Pioneers Museum, on the board of the Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Association, and the Hahn's Peak Historical Society. Since founding the Tread of Pioneers Museum in 1959, Dorothy spent many hours helping the museum grow to its present state. She was also a long-time supporter of the city library and was a member of the Yampa Valley Foundation that helps guide the college.
Wither, Frances (2005):
for her dedication to preserving local history. Wither moved to town in 1937 after college to be with her future husband, Bob Wither. The two married in January 1940. She volunteered at the Tread of Pioneers Museum in those early years and served on the board of directors for 38 years.
Wither, Pete (2000):
for his leadership in the community. Wither’s grandparents were involved with the gold rush to Hahn’s Peak in 1888 until the gold went dry in 1902. The couple then moved to Steamboat Springs, where they owned a mercantile. Wither may be best known for his 30 years of work with the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. Until 1999, he was the company’s ski patrol director. Wither was a City Council member from 1983 to 1991 and has been the president of the Tread of Pioneers Museum, Rocky Mountain Youth Corp, and the Routt County Riders Bicycle Club. He also is the vice president of the Parks and Recreation Commission. In 1991, Wither convinced Ski Corp. to develop the mountain bike trail system on the mountain.
Wren, Gordon (1990):
for his contributions to local skiing heritage. Wren was born Jan. 5, 1919, in Steamboat Springs. He served in the 10th Mountain Division during World War II before qualifying for the Olympics. Wren was among the most successful U.S. alpine and cross-country skiers and ski jumpers. In addition to his fifth place finish in ski jumping in the 1948 Winter Olympics, Wren was the first American to jump 300 feet. He was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and the National Ski Hall of Fame. He returned from the Olympics to coach the racing program at Steamboat Springs. He became the first general manager of Steamboat Springs ski area in the 1960s.
Yurich, Peter “Mike” (2012):
for his dedication to preserving local history. Yurich was born in Oak Creek and lived in his childhood home until 2010, save for a 15-year stint in the Peace Corps, during which he served in many countries. He has compiled oral histories and newspaper clippings that tell the strong influence of mining in Routt County and has written and edited a large number of books and pamphlets. He continues to volunteer six days each week at the Tracks and Trails Museum, which opened July 28, 2007, in the old, renovated Town Hall building in Oak Creek and is full of his collected historic artifacts, photographs and documents.
Zehner, Ayliffe and Henry (1983):
for their leadership in the community. Ayliffe was born in 1906 on her family’s ranch north of Hayden. She was a member of the Hayden Congregational Church, and was active in organizations such as the P.E.O., Eastern Star, Women’s Fellowship, and The Last Frontier. Henry was superintendent of schools in Steamboat Springs, served for many years as president of the Routt County Council on Aging, and has been active with the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Congregational Church, and the Rock and Gem Society. Henry and Ayliffe were co-grand marshals of the Routt County Fair.