Thanks and Invitation to Participate

Our love for the Pinehaven community led to a desire to better understand its general history.  Three years ago, we began a deep dive into the 500-year history of the land that is now Pinehaven. Now we invite you join us on this journey.

History belongs to everyone who loves a place, but it often begins with those who lived it. As a relative newcomer to Pinehaven, I write these histories with deep respect for the families and longtime residents who shaped this mountain community long before I arrived. My goal is not to replace their memories but to preserve them and to connect oral tradition, family stories, and documented records into one shared account.

Every generation sees the valley through a different lens. By bringing together old photographs, land records, and the voices of those who remember, I hope to honor Pinehaven’s past and safeguard its story for those who will call it home in the future.

In creating this blog, we worked diligently to conduct historical research, track down archival documents and period sources, verify details with those who know this history best, and use advanced online fact-checking tools. To provide clarity and credibility, you’ll also find footnotes and source references at the bottom of each post. These are provided to ensure accuracy and to give you the opportunity to explore the topics further if you wish.

This research project began in April of 2021 and has required us to overcome historical challenges, interview lifelong valley residents, and design ways for every cabin owner to contribute to this curated digital archive. We warmly invite you to share your own stories and memories here on the blog and to add your voice to the larger story we’re preserving together.

The Challenge of Discrepant Narratives

One of the challenges in writing history is navigating the tension between oral tradition and historical records. Over time, memories fade, names and dates become blurred, and stories are reshaped, sometimes conflicting with what's found in official documents. At the same time, even historical records can contain errors, vague references, or puzzling details. The past, it seems, wears more than one voice. Historians refer to these inconsistencies as “discrepant narratives.” 

Oral recollections, even when they differ from written records, remain valuable sources of historical insight. They reflect how events were remembered, shared, and experienced within the community. As with many stories passed through generations, details such as dates or names may vary, yet that variation reveals something important. It reveals the way Cuchara and Pinehaven’s history endures not only in documents, but in living memory.

Thanks and Appreciation

This project wouldn’t be complete without the support of some remarkable people who helped us tackle challenges along the way. We are especially grateful to Angie Glover of the Huerfano County Clerk’s Office whose expertise and repeated assistance in locating and interpreting archival records proved invaluable. Bob Pierotti, an original Pinehaven developer and key figure in the community’s formation, generously reviewed the manuscript, met with us several times, and helped clarify important details.(1)  And Ron Jameson, whose family has deep roots in the Cuchara Valley, offered thoughtful feedback that strengthened the richness of this project.(2) We deeply appreciate their insights and share their passion for preserving the legacy of this remarkable place.

Gene with Bob Pierotti, Patriarch of Pinehaven

Gene and Bob Pierotti met several times over the phone and in person to finalize the blog's content. 

Gene Roncone and Ron Jameson talking oral history

Invitation to Participate

Our story is just one thread in the rich tapestry of Pinehaven’s history. That’s why we’ve created this companion blog where you can add your own memories, stories, and reflections. Whether it’s a link to a treasured photo from a summer hike, a funny cabin mishap, a brief summary of your own cabin history, or a family tradition passed down through generations, we invite you to share your piece of the Pinehaven legacy. Start a new post, discussion thread, or include links to your own photos or online albums. Or submit your own cabin's micro history at this link. Together, we can preserve the spirit of this special place one story at a time.(3)

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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 on June 7, 2025, June 12, 2025, and personal interview with the author in Cuchara, Colorado, on June 24, 2025.

2.  Ron Jameson, personal interview with the author in  Cuchara, Colorado, on June 22, 2025.

3. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. All narrative choices, 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