Journal 29: Tribute to Bob Pierotti, Patriarch of Pinehaven

Bob Pierotti stands as a pillar of quiet strength and enduring impact, not just in Pinehaven, but across the Cuchara Valley. From local government and education to community planning and public utilities, his leadership has shaped Pinehaven and beyond. 

For years, sports fans have sparred over one iconic question; Who left the bigger mark on football, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? It’s a debate often distilled into two defining traits; “clutch” versus “compiler.” Brady, the king of comebacks, thrived under pressure and delivered when it mattered most. Manning, ever the charismatic tactician, rewrote the record books with relentless consistency.

When it comes to the legacy of Pinehaven, a similar comparison arises between two men who shaped the soul of our mountain community; Steve Pierotti and his son, Bob. Steve was Pinehaven’s firestarter who was  charismatic, energetic, and brimming with vision. He had the rare ability to inspire, galvanize, and cast a compelling future. Bob, on the other hand, has always been the steady strategist who is reserved, thoughtful, and methodical. He doesn’t seek the spotlight, but he’s always known exactly where the next step should be.

I have invested three years into researching Pinehaven's colorful history. Standing back and looking at it all, there is one undeniable fact; Nearly every pivotal decision that changed Pinehaven’s trajectory, secured its infrastructure, or ensured its long-term resilience had one common denominator—the fingerprints of Bob Pierotti. Steve Pierotti may have sparked the flame, but Bob quietly kept it burning by hauling wood, stacking it with care, and tending the fire with unwavering dedication. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. 

Today, Bob Pierotti is a deeply respected figure, not just in Pinehaven, but throughout the Cuchara Valley. His influence has touched local government, education, community planning, utilities, and public service. And while he may never boast about it, it’s time we did. Because sometimes the greatest legacies aren’t loud, they’re lasting. And Bob’s is one Pinehaven will benefit from for generations to come.

Beginnings Beneath the Peaks

Robert S. “Bob” Pierotti was born on July 14, 1945 and grew up surrounded by the rugged beauty and strong community spirit of Huerfano County, Colorado. Rooted in a proud Italian-American heritage, Bob’s story begins with his paternal grandparents, Pete and Angelina (Lami) Pierotti, who made their home in Walsenburg in the early 1900s.(1) Bob’s mother, Anna Mae (Micor) Pierotti, was born in the nearby coal camp of Maitland, Colorado in 1917 to John and Veronica Micor. She is a testament to the working-class resilience that defined the region.(2) 

As a child, he lived in the second cabin built on Pinehaven. In those days, his father built the cabin with lumber from an old and abandoned homes in the mining camps. Bob reminded me it was a far cry from the kind of cabins we see in Pinehaven today.(3) When asked what his fondest memories were growing up as a boy in Pinehaven, Bob said, “I have the fondest memories wandering through the forest before this mountain was developed. My twenty-two rifle and I never ran out of things to do.”(4)

Raised in the Cuchara Valley, Bob thrived both personally and academically. During his high school years at Walsenburg High School, Bob excelled in many ways, including basketball, football, track, theater, student council, and academics. As a high school student, he was noted for academic achievement and received straight A's at Walsenburg High School (listed as “Bobby Pierotti” in a 1960 honor roll).(5) Bob was also inducted into the National Honor Society in 1962, reflecting his strong academic initiative.(6)

Family First, Forest Forever

Bob and his wife Cindy married in the Cuchara Chapel on December 20, 1969. As part of the Britton family from La Veta, Cindy is also a longtime resident of Huerfano County. Together, they have two children, Nick born in 1976, and Amber in 1978. They have been married over 56 years.

Cindy Pierotti’s career has been founded upon strong administrative gifts. In addition to helping her dad start and run the True Value hardware store in La Veta (now known as Big R), she also served as the office administrator for the Cucharas Sanitation and Water District for several years. Later on in life, she served as the Director of the La Veta Public Library District in Huerfano County.(7) Her tenure as library director contributed to its growth and outreach into the community. To this day, the library remains a vital community hub since its establishment in the 1970s. Cindy also shared Bob’s love for community service and was a founding member of the Spanish Peaks Arts Council in La Veta.(8) More than just the library director, Cindy has been a driving force behind La Veta’s vibrant culture of literacy and learning. She helped transforming the town’s library into one of Southern Colorado’s true community gems. 

A Career Loving the Land

After earning a marketing degree from the University of Colorado in 1969, Bob answered the call to serve his country, joining the Army Reserve for six years out of Pueblo and Denver. This monthly commitment created in him a passion for public service. 

During this time, Bob’s deep understanding of the land enabled him to become one of the region’s most trusted real estate experts and land developers. He shaped not just parcels and plats but the very identity of the mountain communities he helped build. While in his early thirties, Bob’s real estate journey took off with purpose and momentum. After becoming a licensed appraiser and broker, he launched his own appraisal firm in La Veta, earning a reputation for precision and professionalism.(9) In the 1970s Bob co-founded Spoon River Real Estate, setting up shop in the old Chuck Wagon Café in Cuchara and leading it on to growth in success for 36 years.(10) 

Bob’s later work with Fuller Western Real Estate for seven years only cemented what many already knew, he was one of the foremost authorities on ranches and mountain properties across southern Colorado.(11) With an encyclopedic knowledge of the land, a reputation for integrity, and a genuinely warm, approachable style, Bob became a trusted name from La Veta to the Spanish Peaks and beyond. By the 2000s, he wasn’t just admired, he was a pillar in the valley, mentoring new agents and guiding clients with the steady wisdom of decades in the field. Though he’s long since hung up his boots, Bob’s legacy still echoes through the canyons and communities he helped shape, a lasting influence on Southern Colorado’s real estate landscape.

Steward of Pinehaven

The Pierotti family's connection to Pinehaven runs deep, dating back to the 1970s when Bob’s father, Steve Pierotti, helped pioneer the community by mapping out and selling some of its very first cabin sites.(12) (13) Decades later, Bob picked up the mantle, guiding the development of new phases in the 1980s and making sure that roads and essential utilities were thoughtfully planned for each new wave of cabins. In that time, the Federal Government began to impose significant requirements for the development of forested areas. Bob took the lead and spearheaded Pinehaven’s compliance with strict standards and advocated for the community's development. Much of the modern amenities that we know today, as Filing #2 (midmountain development), we owe to Bob. In doing so, he didn’t just carry on a family legacy, he helped shape the future of Pinehaven in the following ways. 

• Cucharas Water and Sanitation District.  Bob Pierotti played a pivotal role in transforming Pinehaven from a rustic, self-reliant cabin community into a modern neighborhood integrated into the Cucharas Sanitation and Water District (CSWD). As one of CSWD’s founding board members in 1974, Bob served for six and a half years on the board, helping to establish the infrastructure that would eventually provide clean water and reliable sanitation across the Cuchara Valley.(14) Decades later, his leadership and persistence were instrumental in Pinehaven’s full integration into CSWD, culminating in a major upgrade between 2007 and 2008 that replaced aging septic systems with modern sewer lines, added pressure-regulating valves, and ensured year-round water access. Thanks to Bob’s quiet but steadfast contributions, Pinehaven residents now enjoy safe, sustainable water and sanitation services that have enhanced both quality of life and environmental protection for the long term.(15)

• 
  Homeowners Association.  As Pinehaven grew, a sense of community began to deepen. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, residents felt the need to formalize their shared vision and values by establishing bylaws and creating a homeowners’ association that would guide the neighborhood into the future. On August 10, 1978, a warranty deed transferred ownership of numerous lots within the Pinehaven development from private individuals (the Pierottis) to a corporation (Pinehaven, Inc.) for development or investment purposes.(16) The deed affirmed the Pierottis held clear title to the properties and guaranteed to defend Pinehaven, Inc.’s ownership against any future claims. It was a key transaction in the formation and expansion of the Pinehaven community. Now Pinehaven has its own homeowners association to steward the community and foster a tight-knit atmosphere among cabin owners.

• Pierotti Pavilion. Perhaps the most enduring symbol of his generosity is the Pierotti Pavilion, a large open-air gathering shelter that he built for Pinehaven residents. Years ago, Bob purchased a parcel of land at the intersection of Roads 401 and 406 in Pinehaven. He constructed a covered pavilion with a classic rustic design that quickly became a communal hub for Pinehaven residents.(17)

Service in the Shadow of the Spanish Peaks

Beyond his professional achievements, Bob Pierotti has been a cornerstone of civic life in La Veta and across Huerfano County. His commitment to community runs deep, and over the years, he has stepped into numerous leadership and service roles, each one a reflection of his dedication to giving back and helping his hometown thrive.

• 
  Military service. Bob came of age during one of the most turbulent chapters in American history, the Vietnam War era. Like many young men of his generation, he answered the call to serve in the Army reserves. He served monthly in Pueblo and Denver, where his commitment to community service matured. 
• La Veta School Board. Bob was also elected to the La Veta School Board where he served nine and a half years. In that role, he supported education initiatives and served as the board secretary in 1985.(18)
• Chamber of Commerce. In 1988, Bob was also elected Vice President of the La Veta/Cuchara Chamber of Commerce.(19) He was a passionate promoter of local businesses, economic growth, and tourism in the Spanish Peaks region.
• Cucharas Sanitation & Water District. In 1974, as the newly formed Cucharas Sanitation and Water District began laying the groundwork for modern utilities in the area, Bob Pierotti stepped up as one of its original directors.(20) Elected to help lead this pivotal effort, he served a two-year term during the district’s formative years, helping shape the essential infrastructure that would serve the Pinehaven community for generations to come.

Pierotti’s deep roots in the area made him a trusted voice and tireless volunteer in local life. Whether on planning committees or lending his expertise to historical projects, he was always ready to pitch in. His long-standing commitment to community earned him a well-deserved reputation as a pillar of the community.

Wisdom in the Quiet Years

In 2019, Bob officially retired and still lives in Pinehaven. Now in his senior years, Bob stands as a deeply respected hometown historian and cherished community elder. His decades of service, both professional and volunteer, have helped shape the community he’s always called home. 

In these quieter years, I’ve been lucky to tap into his enduring wisdom. Whether I’m bouncing around blog ideas or digging into local facts, he’s my go-to guy for insight and context. His mind remains razor-sharp, his spirit steady and wise, his humility unchanged, and his heart still beats strong for Pinehaven. 

During one of our interviews, I asked Bob what three things he hoped would still be part of Pinehaven’s culture twenty years from now. He said, “I hope the next generation will continue to be good stewards of Pinehaven by keeping it a forest, protecting the wildlife that lives here, and keeping Pinehaven from being overdeveloped.”(21) Bob’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the Cuchara Valley and he is an example of service and quiet enduring impact.

A Legacy That Endures

Living in a mountain community like Pinehaven is more than just owning a cabin, it’s about waking up to towering pines, breathing in crisp alpine air, and feeling the quiet strength of a place built on vision and perseverance. But more than that, it’s about stewardship.  

Because of Bob Pierotti’s steady leadership and lifelong dedication, we don’t just enjoy the comforts of modern living with electricity, safe drinking water, solid roads, and reliable sanitation, we also inherit a legacy. It’s a legacy of stewardship that allows us to share not just a destination, but a story worth telling.(22)

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Footnotes

Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.

1. Obituary: Albert G. Pierotti.” Deseret News, December 10, 1998. https://www.deseret.com/1998/12/10/19417589/obituary-albert-g-pierotti. 

2. Obituaries – Last Names Beginning with ‘P’.” Pueblo County, Colorado Obituaries, compiled by Kathy Mitzel, accessed July 27, 2025. https://www.kmitch.com/Pueblo/obits/1p.html. 

3. Robert (Bob) Pierotti (son of Steve Pierotti, community leader, namesake of the Pierotti Pavilion, and current Pinehaven resident), personal interview with the author in Cuchara, Colorado, on August 15, 2025. 

  

4. Robert (Bob) Pierotti (son of Steve Pierotti, community leader, namesake of the Pierotti Pavilion, and current Pinehaven resident), personal interview with the author in Cuchara, Colorado, on August 15, 2025. 

5. “Huerfano County, Colorado News of the Day,” kmitch.com, accessed July 27, 2025, https://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/news1960.html. 

6. “This Week in History: 1962 – National Honor Society at Walsenburg High School.” The World Journal (Huerfano County, Colorado), [publication date], accessed July 27, 2025. https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/this-week-in-history-67/. 

7. Nordbye, Jody Ohmert, ed. Colorado Education & Library Directory, 1997–1998. ED 417 741. Denver: Colorado State Department of Education, 1997. Accessed via ERIC PDF: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED417741.pdf. 

8. Spanish Peaks Arts Council, Conversations with Our Founders, n.d., accessed July 27, 2025, https://spanishpeaksarts.org/conversations-with-our-founders/. 

9. Bob Pierotti, Appraiser.” Manta, accessed July 27, 2025. https://www.manta.com/c/mhbfkvj/bob-pierotti-appraiser. 

10. Eric Bachman Receives Spanish Peaks MLS Award for Outstanding Real Estate Person: Longtime Area Realtor Known for Community Spirit and Mentoring.” The World Journal, April 13, 2023. https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/eric-bachman-receives-spanish-peaks-mls-award-for-outstanding-real-estate-person-longtime-area-realtor-known-for-community-spirit-and-mentoring/. 

11. Pierotti, Bob. “Bob Pierotti.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 27, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-pierotti-19b88337. 

  

12. Pierotti, Steve. “Journal 6: Steve Pierotti: A Pioneer of Pinehaven.” Cabin in the Pines (blog). December 1, 2024. https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2025/06/part-6-steve-pierotti-pioneer-of.html. 

  

13. Roncone, Gene, and Rhonda Roncone. 2024. “Journal 6: Steve Pierotti: A Pioneer of Pinehaven.” Cabin in the Pines, https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2025/06/part-6-steve-pierotti-pioneer-of.html#more 

  

14. Cucharas Sanitation and Water District, Articles of Incorporation (Huerfano County, CO: District Court, December 3, 1974), https://www.cuchara.org/files/6d2b6ff97/Articles+of+Incorporation.pdf. 

  

15. Roncone, Gene, and Rhonda Roncone. 2023. “Journal 22: Pipes, Progress, and Partnership: How CSWD Enriched Pinehaven.” Cabin in the Pines · Cuchara, August 2023. Accessed [access date]. https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2023/08/pipes‐progress‐and‐partnership‐how‐cswd.html 

  

16. Warranty Deed from Steve Pierotti and Anna Pierotti to Pinehaven, Inc., August 10, 1978, recorded in Book 352, Page 222, Document ID General-352-222, Huerfano County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, Walsenburg, Colorado, accessed at www.thecountyrecorder.com. 

  

17. Roncone, Gene, and Rhonda Roncone. 2024. “Journal 10: Pierotti Pavilion.” Cabin in the Pines · Cuchara, https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2025/06/part-10-pierotti-pavilion.html#more. 

  

18. This Week in History, for May 20, 2021,” The World Journal, published circa May 20, 2021, accessed July 27, 2025, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/this-week-in-history-for-may-20-2021/ 

  

19. Christofferson, Nancy. “This Week in History for June 13, 2019.” The World Journal, June 13, 2019. https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/this-week-in-history-for-june-13-2019-by-nancy-christofferson/. 

  

20. This Week in History for December 29, 2011,” The World Journal, posted January 5, 2012, accessed July 27, 2025, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/this-week-in-history-for-december-29-2011/.

  

21. Robert (Bob) Pierotti (son of Steve Pierotti, community leader, namesake of the Pierotti Pavilion, and current Pinehaven resident), personal interview with the author in Cuchara, Colorado, on August 15, 2025.

22. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. The narrative, analysis, and historical interpretations are the author’s own, and responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the author. The blog’s research methodology statement is available at:

https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2019/03/methodology-sources-and-use-of-research.html