Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition
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     WELCOME TO THE TELLER HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION

THE Coalition is committed to preserving the historic, cultural, environmental, recreational and scenic resources in and around Teller County, and to broadening public understanding regarding the significance of those resources.

Working with member organizations, THE Coalition Board has achieved much in the organization's 10-year history.
THE Coalition has ---
  • Helped member organizations identify funding sources to obtain grants, including funding for 'The Locals', a public art project of the Two Mile High Club that honors the role played by donkeys in Cripple Creek gold mining days.
  • Managed the 5-year collaborative effort among the Rural Land Preservation Group (RLPG), Palmer Land Trust and Teller County Parks to preserve 1,300 acres of scenic landscape and wildlife habitat, completing the 5,000 acre Pikes Peak Conservation Corridor along Hwy 24 between Woodland Park and Divide.
  • Serves as fiscal agent for the Victor Penguins, the Two Mile High Clubb, RLPG, Woodland Park Hockey Association and others.
  • Co-sponsors workshops and The Nonprofit Resource Center at the Woodland Park Public Library in collaboration with the Rampart Library District.
  • Works to preserve the Midland Depot, part of the Colorado Midland system. It is only one of four surviving depots of the system and the only one that will be open to the public when completely refurbished.​

T.H.E. 2020 ANNUAL MEETING

Our 2020 Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, November 1, OUTDOOR, at the home of Marion and Jim Vance with appropriate social distancing and masks (as needed) due to the COVID restrictions at the time.
In addition, we made the meeting available via Zoom for anyone wishing to attend online.

You are welcome to review the meeting minutes on our webpage found here.


The 2021 Annual Meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday, November 7th. Stay tuned for more information.
All Teller County (and surrounding areas) community members are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you there!


​
​THANKS FOR JOINING US AT THE 2019 BREIT AWARDS BANQUET

**SPECIAL NOTE** -- The event that was scheduled for October, 2020 was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID.**
The 4th Annual 2021 celebration is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 17 - to be held at the historic Crystola Roadhouse.
Stay tuned for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!


The 3rd Annual Breit Awards Banquet was held on Sunday, October 27, in honor of Doris "Dee" Breitenfeld, Teller County's longtime community member and supporter of the arts, environmental conservation, historic preservation, T.H.E. Board Director Emeritus, and much more! The event recognized 2019 award winners the Mrs. Lucile Fehn, the Sanborn Ranch and Western Camp (Mr. Jerry McLain) and the John Wesley Ranch and Retreat Center (Mr. Chris Thornton) for their many contributions to preserving Teller County's history. Thank you to the Gold Camp Victorian Society for bringing the Harvey Girls and their presentation to the banquet. Sunday dinner was provided by the Swiss Chalet. ***The Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition also celebrated our 20th Anniversary!*** Kudos to all of our community partners and sponsors. We look forward to seeing you at next year's event! 

​Interested in Becoming A Member? Find Out More by Clicking on the Links Below....

THE 2021 Membership Form
File Size: 242 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

THE 2021 Membership Renewal Letter
File Size: 208 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Many years ago (the exact date is lost to recent antiquity) when the stars were aligned and the constellations were fixed in the heavens so that Orion’s Belt pointed directly to the summit of Ute Pass, a wise man declared that Divide was not just in the center of Colorado, it was the “Center of the Known Universe.”

Years have come and gone since then, and about the only time one sees that phrase in these days is when it is used by the Divide Chamber of Commerce (it’s their official, copyrighted logo). But things are about to change.

For nearly a decade the Divide Chamber has nursed a project to place an appropriate welcome sign along U.S. Highway 24 to alert both travelers and locals alike that they are approaching what many consider a cosmic spot on the face of the earth, unlike any other. Before the highway was widened to four lanes, there used to be a smaller welcome-to-Divide sign in the field near the entrance to Meadow Park. But that sign disappeared with the road work.


A couple of years ago, at the Chamber’s prompting, the state did post one of their green road signs marking the westbound approach to Divide. But according to many, that sign is not enough. Until the last few years, the Chamber’s sign project has lingered. But time, effort, and good people have been able keep the project alive, doing things that others thought impractical; now the sign project is about to become a reality.    More....

Written by David Martinek
Editor's Note: 
The Welcome to Divide sign was erected in July 2015.  The Divide Chamber of Commerce paid for the cost of the sign in full.

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Three design charettes were held with citizens of the region who share an interest in transforming the old Midland Depot Building in Divide, Colorado into an interpretive center for the Colorado Midland Railway and the Midland Terminal Railway and a visitors center. Design charettes were held on July 28, August 11 and August 25, 2015 at the Woodland Park Library. At these charettes, citizens collaborated on how to proceed with this project and their vision of what the final result should contain and reveal to the visiting public. Input for the design components and content of interpretive exhibits, computer-based touch screen interactive displays, site amenities and electrical and lighting requirements were explored in detail. Consensus was sought and achieved on design strategies and these concepts are the ones shown here.


The Heritage Tourism App!

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First of its kind mobile app about Teller County now available on your iPhone and your Android device!

The Tour Teller mobile app brings Teller County's history alive! The tour consists of seven routes that recreate the sights and sounds of Colorado's history - from the voices of the Utes and homesteaders to the sounds of steam trains and the gold rush.... highlighting the historical legacy of Teller County which can be taken singly or in sequence -- physically or virtually. Each includes a narrative enlivened by current and historical photos highlighting suggested stops, points of interest that can be viewed from the road, and optional excursions off route. Audio and video clips convey the flavor the past through oral histories and re-enactments of historic characters.

To download the the iPhone app, go to Apple App store and search for “Pikes Peak Historic Driving Tour”. To download the Android app, go to the Google Play store and search for the same. (Or scan the QR codes below.) Once the app is downloaded, users can follow any of seven distinct routes even where cell service is not available. “Tour Teller” is sponsored by
the Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition.

Click on the photos below from our launch party!

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Tour Teller App QR Code
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THE Coalition Board of Directors
Albert (David) Martinek - Chair
Marion Ritchey Vance - Vice Chair
Karla J. Schweitzer - Secretary
OPEN POSITION - Treasurer
Director Emeritus - Doris (Dee) Breitenfeld (1935-2014)

Members at Large                       
Sherri L. Albertson
Jane Lass                                

Jane Mannon
Jean Rodeck                                       

Norm Steen
Erik Stone       


**We are also looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to join THE Coalition as Board members. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about this opportunity, please reach out to us at THE@thecoalitionCO.org**               

Contact Us
T.H.E. Coalition
P.O. Box 368
Woodland Park, Colorado 80866
719.686.7605
THE@thecoalitionCO.org
© 2015 - Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition
(719) 686-7605
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