Early 1900s: The Birth of Cuchara Camps
George Alfred Mayes saw more than just land when he saw the old W.J. Gould Ranch, he saw the potential for a mountain haven. Although often described in local histories as a direct 1906 purchase from W. J. Gould, county records reveal a more complex transaction. The former W. J. Gould Ranch passed first to Charles M. Mack in 1907 under a privately financed arrangement that allowed George A. Mayes to begin developing the property, while legal title remained with Mack until it was conveyed to Mayes by warranty deed in 1910. (1)
Mayes and his wife moved to Cuchara for his health in 1908 and founded “Cuchara Camps” – a summer resort intended to capitalize on the area’s beauty and cool climate.(2) By 1911, his vision had come to life as Cuchara Camps, a thriving summer retreat nestled in the cool Colorado high country. Mayes turned a truck into an advertising billboard he used to promote the Cuchara Camps. (3) The truck was covered with posters promoting Cuchara as a medicinal antidote, scenic treasure, and perfect place for a summer home.
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| George Mayes mobile advertising truck |
Mayes transformed the property into a rustic paradise, stocking the lakes with fish, expanding the ranch house, renting cabins, and offering guests everything from camping gear to guided adventures. He introduced burros and saddled horses for scenic mountain rides. Over time, the simple canvas tents gave way to cozy cottages with sleeping porches and outdoor amenities. In those early years, guests arrived by carriage or wagon, but even as cars began rolling in, the charm of a trail ride on horseback remained a beloved part of the experience. (4) The goal was to keep tourists happy so they might purchase land or cabins of their own.
In 1916 a U.S. Post Office named “Cuchara Camps” was established, cementing the name of the area for several decades. The post office name was later shortened to just “Cuchara” in 1957, when “Cuchara Camps” evolved into a more permanent village. (5)
Mid-20th Century: Gradual Development
Throughout the 1920s–1940s, Cuchara Camps changed hands and evolved. Mayes himself died in the 1930s, and subsequent proprietors continued the resort business. (6)
There is a unique historical connection between Cuchara Camps and Pinehaven through the Powell family. In 1931, Charles Rutherford Powell, son of Charles Lloyd Powell, the original homesteader of the land that would later become Pinehaven, was reported by the local newspaper to have purchased Cuchara Camps. (7) As time progressed, the name “Cuchara Camps” eventually became Cuchara and evolved into a quaint mountain village.
Cuchara’s growth through the 20th century was shaped by the village we know today. In time, small and cozy cabin communities began to emerge, and the Spanish Peaks development brought even more momentum. (8) Local newspapers speak of burro rides, Saturday night dances, impromptu talent shows, musicals, and masquerade parties, all by kerosene lamp light (9) A 1936 news report also shows Charles R. Powell (son of Pinehaven’s original homesteader) purchasing a power plant to electrify the Cuchara Camps resort (10) When I tried to pinpoint the location of the old dance hall and mentioned a newspaper report about a “power plant” supplying electricity, Fire Chief Ron Jameson, whose family roots in the Cuchara Valley go back seven generations, burst out laughing. “Power plant?” he said. “Those were two hand-crank generators shoved into a shed the size of a walk-in closet, right about where the Cuchara Yacht Club sits today. And I’m pretty sure one of 'em needed a coffee break every now and then.” (11)
In 1964, the paved Highway 12 (“Highway of Legends”) over Cuchara Pass was completed, improving access and accelerating the valley’s growth. These projects laid the groundwork for Cuchara’s modern infrastructure and continued appeal as a mountain retreat. (12)
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| Pencil drawings based on newspaper articles of activities at Cuchara Camps in the early days (13) |
The 1981–1982 ski season brought new energy to Baker Mountain with the grand opening of the Panadero Ski Area. With two double chairlifts and a rope tow, it quickly became a winter favorite.
As the seasons passed, the resort grew, adding more lifts, snowmaking machines, and even the cozy Baker Creek restaurant. But behind the scenes, challenges loomed. Financial struggles, shifting ownership, and unpredictable snowfall made it difficult to stay afloat. After years of ups and downs, the once-bustling ski area closed its doors for good in 2000, leaving behind memories of fresh powder and mountain adventures. (14)
2017–Present: Community Renewal and Cuchara Mountain Park
In 2017, the Cuchara community came together with a shared dream, to breathe new life into the beloved ski area. Their efforts paid off when they secured the 50-acre base of the former resort, giving rise to the Parker-Fitzgerald Cuchara Mountain Park. Today, under the care of the nonprofit Panadero Ski Corporation, the park is being reimagined as a vibrant, year-round hub for outdoor adventure. From beginning the repair of Lift 4 to reintroducing skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and more, the spirit of the mountain is alive again, fueled by passion, perseverance, and a deep love for Cuchara. (15)
The development of the Cuchara Camps was a catalyst for the growth as the valley evolved from a rustic mountain retreat to a cherished community hub. From canvas tents to chairlifts, from burro rides to nonprofit renewal, Cuchara has always been a place of reinvention. Each generation finds its own way to fall in love with this valley. And somehow, the Spanish Peaks always say yes.
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| Transport track machine to take skiers to the top of the mountain |
The development of the Cuchara Camps was a catalyst for the growth and reputation as the valley’s evolution grew from a rustic mountain retreat to a cherished community hub.(16)
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Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.
1. Although often described in local histories as a direct 1906 purchase from William J. Gould, county records reveal a more complex transaction. George A. Mayes did not acquire the former Gould Ranch through a single, direct conveyance from Gould, but through a two-stage, privately financed arrangement. In October 1907, William J. Gould and his wife conveyed the ranch to Charles M. Mack by warranty deed. Mack subsequently entered into a seller-financed purchase agreement with Mayes, retaining legal title while Mayes assumed possession and began development of the property, as evidenced by contemporaneous mortgage and deed of trust filings covering land described as Sections 3 and 4, Township 31 South, Range 69 West. Full legal ownership passed to Mayes on December 6, 1910, when Mack executed a warranty deed conveying title, completing the transaction
2. Cuchara Foundation, “Cuchara Village,” https://www.cucharafoundation.org/cuchara-village.
3 “Cuchara Digital History Project,” Cuchara Foundation, accessed June 12, 2025, https://www.cucharafoundation.org/cuchara-digital-history-project; also referenced on Cuchara Foundation Facebook page, accessed June 12, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/CucharaFoundation/. Photo, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=536982096443121&set=a.235326319942035.
4. “Way Back When in Cuchara Camps,” Huerfano World Journal, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/way-back-when-in-cuchara-camps/.
5. Mitchell, Karen. "Huerfano County, Colorado History: The Century." Accessed June 7, 2025. https://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/century.html. This source confirms that the “Cuchara Camps” post office was established in 1916, and providing historical context of the post office name being shortened to just “Cuchara” in 1957.
6. “About Us,” Cuchara Foundation, accessed June 12, 2025, https://www.cucharafoundation.org/cuchara-village.
7. 1931 July La Veta: Charles R. Powell, operator of the power plant here, has purchased the Cuchara Camps,” Huerfano County News Articles 1930s, accessed June 14, 2025, https://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/news1930.html.
8. “Cuchara Digital History Project,” Cuchara Foundation, accessed June 12, 2025, https://www.cucharafoundation.org/cuchara-digital-history-project.
9. Christofferson, Nancy. “Way Back When in Cuchara Camps.” World Journal, WorldJournalNewspaper.com, accessed June 7, 2025, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/way-back-when-in-cuchara-camps/.
10. Huerfano County News. (1936, June). La Veta Light, Heat and Power sold a $1,500 power plant to Charles R. Powell with which to electrify Cuchara Camps. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/news1935.html
11. Ron Jameson, interview by the author, Cuchara, Colorado, June 22, 2025.
12. Cuchara.org, “About Us,” https://www.cuchara.org/about-us.
13. OpenAI. AI-generated pencil drawing of Cuchara Camps resort, ca. 1910s. DALL·E via ChatGPT. July 30, 2025. https://openai.com/chatgpt.
14. “Lost Ski Areas – Cuchara,” Colorado Ski History, https://www.coloradoskihistory.com/lost/cuchara.html.
15. Cuchara Mountain Park, https://www.cucharamountainpark.org.
16. 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
Thank you for your work on this topic. Very interesting read.
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