The Western Slope Group (WSG) has members throughout the western area of Colorado including Grand Junction, Montrose, Durango and beyond. We bring people together who love recreating in the outdoors and preserving the natural environment. The WSG inspires their members to get outside and enjoy the Colorado mountains through hiking, backpacking, camping, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and cycling. The WSG also encourages its members to partake in educational courses to promote increased knowledge and skills on being safe in enjoying the outdoors.
If you're interested in more information, getting involved, leading trips or helping with conservation activities, please contact the Western Slope Group at WSGofCMC@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
If you would like to join the Western Slope Group please contact the office@cmc.org.
To see the trips posted by the Western Slope Group, click on "Quick Trip Search" at the top of the CMC website. Select Western Slope as the Group and click on Apply.
Brenda Leach Group Chair
I've lived in Colorado for 37 years and have been a CMC member for 27+ years. I had been a very active member in the Boulder Group while living in the Front Range. I 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, I served as the Boulder Group Chair. My husband and I moved to the Ridgway area in 2018. I enjoy the beauty and variety of the western slope and the multitude of areas for exploring and recreating, mostly without crowds. I've been serving as the Western Slope Group Chair since mid-June 2020.
Anne Keil Group Vice Chair and Outings Chair
I have been a Denver CMC member and trip leader since the late 1990s and have lived in Colorado since 1995. I have led hikes (A-C), biking trips, snowshoeing and downhill skiing trips and have written articles for Trail and Timberline. We moved to Montrose 2 years ago and love exploring the Western Slope from the desert to the mountains without all the crowds. I am a semi-retired physical therapist. I have been serving as Vice Chair and Outings Chair this year.
John Broadbooks Treasurer
I moved to Colorado in 1978, spent most of my working years (30 yrs) in financial services, running the collection departments of two of the seven largest credit unions in Colorado during that time, along with the last six years of my career with a credit union owned mortgage company. I retired in 2016 after 38 years in the Denver metro area, moved to Montrose and live a slower paced life on the beautiful western slope near my favorite part of the Colorado (the San Juan mountains). I have been a member of CMC since 1995, completed Wilderness Trekking school in 1996, BMS in 1998, and was an assistant instructor in BMS in 1999 and 2000. Trip leader (mostly C & D hikes) since 2005. Completed the 59 fourteeners in 2005, the centennials in 2009, and continue a quest to climb all the thirteeners. Present list is at 287, but unsure if I will ever finish--the quest is the thing!
Karen Mann Secretary
Being a Philly girl, I grew up far from the Rocky mountains. Hiking & camping were a very foreign activity to me. Then my husband and I moved to Colorado 7 years ago. I fell in love with hiking as well as other outdoor sports. Learned how to ski and snow shoe, and looking forward to learning how to cross country ski and well as fly fish. I completed the Colorado Trail in 2019 by segment hiking over the last 5 years. Currently work for Colorado Mountain Expeditions as a Colorado Trail guide. Certified as a Wilderness First Responder. We recently moved to Montrose from Cotopaxi (Arkansas Valley area). New to Colorado Mountain Club, and look forward to taking leadership courses and exploring the San Juan’s with you all.
Ross Mittelman Conservation Chair
I am originally from Massachusetts but have lived out West for the last 20 years. I spent time in Montana (attending the University of Montana), California (Tahoe and San Francisco), and South America before landing in Palisade, CO where I have lived for the last nine years. My first Colorado summer was spent working for the 14ers Initiative building and maintaining trail throughout the state. I currently work as the Trails Coordinator for Mesa County and enjoy getting outside in any capacity, preferably with my wife and 4 year old daughter.