Journal 13: Pierotti Pavilion

Another meaningful contribution to Pinehaven’s sense of community came from the construction of a large open-air pavilion near the intersection of Roads 401 and 406.(1) 

The land was originally own by a neighboring cabin, and was intended to be used for a large fish pond.  After the owners lost interest in creating the pond, Bob Pierotti purchased the land and constructed a large community pavilion on his property that has been made available to Pinehaven residents. Designed with classic mountain charm, a pitched roof to shield from the winter snow and sturdy open sides to welcome the summer breeze, the project quickly became a community effort. Over the years, neighbors have pitched in with time, tools, and resources to care for the pavilion in the spirit of neighborly collaboration.

Pierotti Pavilion in June of 2025

In recognition of his leadership and dedication to Pinehaven, the pavilion was named the Pierotti Pavilion in honor of Robert “Bob” Pierotti, a respected long-time resident whose influence helped shape the neighborhood in its formative years. Bob Pierotti has been a deeply involved and respected leader across the La Veta/Cuchara region. His influence has included public service on the La Veta School District board, real estate agent, land developer, community-building in the Pinehaven subdivision, and a key figure in Pinehaven’s Homeowners Association and Cucharas Sanitation and Water District. 

From that moment on, the Pierotti Pavilion became more than just a shelter, it became the heart of the community. Over the years, it has echoed with the sounds of laughter and conversation during summer potlucks, Fourth of July cookouts, Labor Day picnics, and spontaneous neighborhood gatherings. It offered Pinehaven residents a place of their own to connect, celebrate, and build lasting friendships, no longer needing to rely solely on public venues in the nearby Cuchara village.

July 4 picnic at Pierottii Pavilion 2021

The pavilion also serves a practical purpose as the go-to venue for Pinehaven Homeowners Association meetings and announcements, where decisions are made and community plans are shaped. Managed by the HOA, the pavilion is maintained and remains open for member use. 

Decades after its construction, the Pierotti Pavilion continues to anchor life in Pinehaven. It stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that when neighbors come together, they don’t just build structures, they build community.(2)

Pinehaven’s story is one of vision, resilience, and community. From its early development under the Pierotti family to the formation of a homeowners’ association and the creation of shared spaces like the Pierotti Pavilion, the neighborhood has grown into more than a neighborhood of cabins, it’s become a wonderful story about what can happen when individuals invest not just in land, but in one another. Today, Pinehaven thrives as a close-knit mountain community shaped by generosity, collaboration, and a shared love for the land.(3)

← Return to Table of Contents

Footnotes

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

1. Robert (Bob) Pierotti (son of Steve Pierotti, community leader, namesake of the Pierotti Pavilion, and current Pinehaven resident), phone conversation with the author, June 7, 2025, and June 12, 2025.

2. Photo of the Pinehaven Fourth of July Picnic at Pierotti Pavilion, Cuchara, Colorado, July 4, 2021. Emailed to the author by Tom Thompson, June 13, 2025.

3.  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