OUR JOURNEY
Cuchara Mountain Park's Triumphant Return!
The powerful, unfolding saga of Parker-Fitzgerald Cuchara Mountain Park (CMP) marks the total rebirth of the once silent and abandoned Panadero Ski Area in Southern Colorado. This ambitious revival is fueled by a massive grassroots effort from the Cuchara Foundation and the Panadero Ski Corporation (PSC). The dream is now realized, as the park's historic Chair 4 is certified and currently running.
CMP stands as a vibrant, nonprofit outdoor recreation area in Huerfano County, officially bringing affordable lift-served skiing and year-round fun back to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This is a community triumph you have to see!
The Legend Begins: Birth of a Southern Colorado Ski Dream
Behold the origins of Parker-Fitzgerald Cuchara Mountain Park! At the foot of Baker Mountain, cradled by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado, stood the beloved Panadero Ski Area. This was no ordinary hill—it was a cherished winter mecca that once commanded 230 acres of skiable terrain and a thrilling 1,562 vertical feet of mountain adventure. Families from across Huerfano County flocked here to experience the genuine charm of downhill skiing in Cuchara, Colorado. But the dream fractured: following years of volatility, the mountain went tragically silent on July 4, 2000, leaving a devastating heartbreak that echoed through the entire community. This silence set the stage for one of Colorado's greatest grassroots revivals.
From Ashes to Alpine Triumph: The Community Fights Back!
The mountain was silent, but the community's spirit was not broken. After years in the shadow of an abandoned Colorado ski resort, local residents launched a heroic, grassroots revival! The Cuchara Foundation became the relentless engine, partnering with Huerfano County to embark on a daunting mission to reclaim the land. Through the vision and incredible generosity of Jerry and JoVonne Fitzgerald, the former ski base was triumphantly reborn as Parker-Fitzgerald Cuchara Mountain Park (CMP)! This powerful reclamation was cemented by a stunningly successful fundraising campaign that saw $150,000 raised and the land permanently secured for public enjoyment. By 2017, Cuchara Mountain Park officially reopened—not just as a park, but as an enduring symbol of community pride, grit, and the enduring passion for affordable outdoor recreation in Southern Colorado!
The Ascent: Volunteers, Vision, and the Spinning Lift!
The revival of the Panadero Ski Area into the year-round Cuchara Mountain Park (CMP) has been a relentless, community-driven mission. Dedicated volunteers initially poured thousands of hours into transforming the abandoned resort into a modern destination, adding features like a disc golf course, a bike playground, and an outdoor classroom, all supported by vital grants from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and unwavering donations.
The most ambitious step was the formation of the Panadero Ski Corporation (PSC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019, focused entirely on restoring the historic Chair 4. Through sheer grit and community funding, the seemingly impossible has been realized: Chair 4 is now operational and spinning after receiving our state-issued license to operate.
25 years in the making, the triumphant return of lift-served skiing to Southern Colorado. This impending success stands as a thunderous testament to the power of a community that simply refuses to let its mountain dreams fade.
Adventure Unleashed: Fueling Cuchara's Legacy and Future Fun
Today, the momentum at Cuchara Mountain Park (CMP) is unstoppable! This nonprofit outdoor recreation area is an ever-expanding beacon of year-round adventure in Huerfano County. The vision for the future is bold: expect electrifying expanded hiking and biking trails, thrilling tubing hills, and dynamic outdoor education programs for youth. Every single achievement—from the spinning lift to the new trailheads—is built on the backbone of the Cuchara Foundation, the driving force of the Panadero Ski Corporation, and the dedication of countless volunteers. The epic saga of Cuchara, Colorado is not a closed book—it’s an invitation! Join us, visit, volunteer, or donate today, and directly fuel the living legacy of this unique nonprofit ski area for generations to come!
