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History

SHA strives to be a leader in backcountry hospitality and a steward of the natural environment, and to inspire lifelong memories for guests with their family and friends.

Founded in 1987, Summit Huts Association is a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining a system of backcountry cabins accessed by non-motorized trails in Summit County, Colorado.

Summit Huts currently owns and/or operates five backcountry cabins under special use permits from the Forest Service and United States Department of Agriculture in the White River and Pike-San Isabel National Forests. Our organization is separate from 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and is responsible for the construction, maintenance, booking, and supply of our hut system.

The first hut in the Summit Huts system was Janet’s Cabin, which opened to backcountry enthusiasts in 1991. Four years later, in 1995, Francie’s Cabin welcomed its first guests. Ken’s Cabin and Section House joined the SHA system in 1997.

In 2015, Summit Huts received approval to begin construction on our fifth hut, Sisters Cabin. Construction on Sisters took place in 2018 and it opened for its inaugural season on January 12, 2019, in Weber Gulch on the northeast side of Bald Mountain, just outside of Breckenridge.

Executive Director

Greg Guevara

Operations Manager

Dan Munyon

Marketing Manager

Pauli Novak

President

Brandon Bailey

Brandon is an executive and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in innovation and management across natural and organic foods, consumer health & wellness, active lifestyle, and digital media. He has also served as a consultant for a range of customer-driven companies, from early-stage startups to established global brands.

A Summit County native, Brandon has been deeply involved with Summit Huts Association for over a decade, contributing in roles from event planning to visual identity redesign to leading major capital improvement initiatives. Elected to the Board of Directors in 2022 and named Board Chair in 2023, he has spearheaded a renewed vision for the organization, emphasizing long-term sustainability, community engagement, and improved access to backcountry experiences. Under his leadership, the board has focused on expanding educational initiatives, enhancing infrastructure, and optimizing operational efficiency to ensure Summit Huts continues to thrive.

An experienced backcountry skier, mountain biker, and hut trip enthusiast, he is passionate about ensuring future generations have access to safe and inspiring backcountry experiences. Brandon holds an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications (Brand Strategy) from Northwestern University and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado–Boulder. He currently resides in Boulder, Colorado.

CPA, Treasurer

Nick Domke

Nick is the owner of Conundrum Peak Accounting and has 20 years of experience as a Senior Auditor and Technical Accountant at KPMG. With a strong background in financial reporting, risk management, and compliance, his ability to navigate complex financial structures makes him a valuable asset to Summit Huts.

In addition to his professional expertise, Nick has prior nonprofit treasurer experience, ensuring responsible financial stewardship for mission-driven organizations. Passionate about the outdoors, he is an avid skier, hiker, and cyclist who enjoys exploring Colorado’s backcountry.

A graduate of the University of Kansas (M.S., Accounting; B.S., Accounting and Business Administration), Nick joined the Summit Huts Board of Directors in 2024. He resides in Denver, Colorado.

MBA, Board Member

Howard Bellowe

Howard is a senior executive and consultant with over 30 years of leadership experience as CEO, President, and COO of companies in distribution, technology, financial products, and outsourced contact centers. He has successfully led organizations through rapid growth, mergers, and operational transformations, bringing a wealth of business acumen to Summit Huts.

A longtime hut guest and supporter, Howard has been passionate about preserving and enhancing backcountry experiences in Colorado. His strategic and operational expertise is instrumental in helping Summit Huts expand access while maintaining financial sustainability.

Howard holds an MBA from Harvard University. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys skiing, hiking, and cycling. He splits his time between Denver and Breckenridge, Colorado.

AIA, Board Member

Robbie Dickson

Robbie is the principal of Equinox Architecture and has a longstanding history of volunteer service with Summit Huts. His deep knowledge of sustainable mountain architecture and construction has been instrumental in enhancing the hut system’s infrastructure.

Beyond Summit Huts, Robbie has worked on numerous residential and commercial projects throughout Colorado, integrating environmentally conscious design principles with functional, high-alpine architecture. His experience navigating complex permitting, construction logistics, and community engagement provides valuable expertise to the board as Summit Huts expands and improves its facilities.

A Board Member since 2022, Robbie holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from Brown University, where he received the Roberta Joslin Award for excellence in art. He also studied architecture, sculpture, and industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design before earning a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin as a Hal Box Scholarship recipient.

An avid backcountry skier and mountain biker, Robbie is passionate about preserving Summit County’s outdoor heritage and ensuring that backcountry huts remain accessible for future generations. He resides in Breckenridge, Colorado.

RN, Board Member

Lauren Jefferson

Lauren is a board-certified nurse at St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center, where she specializes in emergency and trauma care. With years of experience in high-stakes medical environments, she brings a strong understanding of wilderness medicine, emergency response planning, and risk management, all of which are vital to the safe operation of Summit Huts.

A Breckenridge native, Lauren has deep ties to the community, bridging both the long-established and newer Summit County populations. She has been a dedicated Summit Huts volunteer for over a decade, serving in various roles before joining the Advisory Council in 2022 and being elected to the Board of Directors in 2024. Her background in backcountry medical preparedness and wilderness safety training strengthens Summit Huts’ efforts to maintain safe and well-equipped facilities for guests.

Lauren holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a B.S. in Nursing from Metropolitan State University. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder and an enthusiastic backcountry skier and hut trip leader, frequently exploring Colorado’s alpine terrain with her family and friends. She resides in Breckenridge, Colorado.

MBA, Board Member

Jaimee Keene

Jaimee is Vice President at Benchmark Commercial Real Estate, where she specializes in investment analysis, portfolio management, and commercial property transactions. With a reputation for strategic thinking and market expertise, she has helped drive growth and expansion strategies for numerous clients in the real estate sector.

Beyond her professional work, Jaimee has prior board-level experience in education, serving on the board of Mackintosh Academy, where she contributed to governance, financial oversight, and strategic planning. Her experience in finance, nonprofit leadership, and commercial real estate provides valuable insight to Summit Huts as the organization continues to grow.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Jaimee is passionate about backcountry skiing and hiking. She earned an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver and a B.S. in Finance & Real Estate from Colorado State University. Jaimee joined the Summit Huts Board of Directors in 2024 and resides in Silverthorne, Colorado.

The Summit Huts Advisory Council is made up of passionate professionals who help keep our huts thriving and available for adventurers for years to come. With their expertise, members provide valuable guidance, build partnerships, navigate legal matters and strengthen community ties. Their support helps us grow and ensure our huts remain an amazing destination for outdoor enthusiasts well into the future.

Copper Mountain Ski Resort

Shauna Bocksch

Communications

Shauna Farnell

Community Relations, Events

Linsey Joyce

Hut Development

James Letson

Communications

Devon O’Neil

Business Development

Kasey Provorse

Legal

Andy Richmond

USFS Consultant, Hut Development

Paul Semmer

Hut Development

Kenny Thaemert

CAIC, Hut Maintenance

Scott Toepfer

Weekly upkeep and maintenance of the cabins is conducted by our Hutmaster Team. With our cabins located in extreme alpine environments and having regular guest turnover, the Hutmasters’ job is a big one. Hutmasters know the cabins inside and out and are able fix most issues, resupply custodial products and clean in a single shift. Each cabin has a dedicated Hutmasters Quarters where we keep tools and supplies as well as an area for Hutmasters to stay when completing multi-day projects. Our cabins have no motorized access during the winter season and Hutmasters access the cabin just as the guests do, by ski. The Hutmaster Team is incredibly skilled and dedicated to our guests having a wonderful experience.

Started – 2020

Ryan Burr

Started – 2022

Brian Carisch

Started – 2019

Tim Faia

Started – 2015

Anne Gaspar

Started – 1995

Steve Huyler

Started – 2021

Mac McNamara II

Started – 1991

Dan Munyon

Started – 2011

Devon O’Neil

Started – 2019

Tim Schlough

Started – 2020

Matthew Schwaab

Started – 1994

Scott Toepfer

Started – 1995

Willie Trowbridge

Started – 1994

Thane Wright