Privately Owned Colorado 14ers Summary

Privately owned Colorado 14ers is an extremely controversial and complicated subject. In this post, which I hope to keep updated over time, I will discuss the 14ers that are either partially or completely on private land and what that means for you, the hiker. This post is meant to be an educational resource and if you have information you would like to add, please leave a comment below or shoot me an email!

Privately Owned 14ers

The Decalibron – Mt Democrat, Mt Cameron, Mt Lincoln, Mt Bross

*Please note that as of July 2023 access Mt Bross remains closed (to the summit) but the rest of the Decalibron has reopened and requires a waiver to be signed electronically at the TH.

Without a doubt, these four privately owned Colorado 14ers receive the most attention in the state. Access to them has been revoked by the land owners many times over the years, most recently in 2021. The Decalibron is accessed by Kite Lake TH which is on National Forest land, but the land around the lake and accompanying 14ers is full of privately owned land parcels. This video gives a lengthy conversation about the history of these mountains and better context as to where they stand today. In short, Mt Lincoln, Mt Cameron, Mt Bross and Mt Democrat have parcels of land owned by mining companies. These companies have multiple owners which have granted hikers access to Mt Lincoln and Mt Democrat’s true summits. However, Mt Bross’ summit has multiple owners which do not all agree about allowing public access to the summit which is why it remains closed. Groups like CMS and Colorado 14ers Initiative have worked with the Forest Service, Town of Alma and land owners on solutions, but problems remain. Not taking care of the land, stealing mining artifacts and potential lawsuits are some of the issues concerning land owners. These privately owned Colorado 14ers remain the most fluid and controversial in the state.

Mt Sherman

Similar to the Decalibron, Mt Sherman is also a partially privately owned Colorado 14er through mining companies. As of 2021, the group(s) who own this land are in bankruptcy proceedings due to inactivity of the mine for at least 33 years. You can read more about the SEC documents here. Hikers are permitted to summit Mt Sherman, but please respect all other privately owned land around the mountain because there is a lot. Always practice leave no trace including any rocks, minerals and mining artifacts.

Culebra Peak

Culebra Peak is the only privately owned Colorado 14er which requires permission from the land owners and a hefty fee to hike this 14er. As of 2021, the fee is $150 per hiker through the owners of the land, Cielo Vista Ranch. Hikers are only allowed to summit during parts of the year not used for hunting and reservations can be made here. In addition to the 14er, this ranch also owns a number of 13ers including centennial Red Mountain.

Mt Princeton

Like the other Leadville area 14ers, Mt Princeton has partial private land ownership by several mining groups around the summit and drive up to the Radio Towers TH. As far as I can tell, this has not been an issue with hikers in the past so continue to respect all private land signs and leave any mining artifacts found in the area.

Castle Peak & Conundrum Peak

These two Elk Range Colorado 14ers have privately owned land on the approach and camping areas around the mountain. In addition to mining claims, Castle Peak & Conundrum Peak also have some private residences you will see along the way. Hikers can access both summits without any issues, but like every other hike here, respect any mining equipment or artifacts found along the hike.

Wilson Peak

Not the Coors Light can 14er?!??! Yes, Wilson Peak does have privately owned land around it but it depends on where you hike in from. When hiking Wilson Peak from the Rock of Ages approach you will cross through the Silver Pick Mill which used to be a site for gold, sphalerite and tetrahedrite but is now abandoned or closed. You can read more about the history of the mine here which is quite interesting. Hikers should have no problem summiting Wilson Peak despite the privately owned land along the way.

Mt Sneffels

When heading out of Ouray and to Mt Sneffels it’s clear as day that the land around the mountain is full of active and historical mining operations. While hikers can summit Sneffels without any issues, the biggest problem with the private land around this 14er is the lack of camping in the area. Be sure to follow all no trespassing signs and treat private lands in this area with respect.

Mt Lindsey

While much of the hike up to this beautiful 14er is wilderness and accessible to the public, the land from the ridge to the summit covering both the standard and ridge direct route are on private land. The land owners of the Trinchera-Blanca Ranch have allowed public access to the summit for years, but as of September 2021, the summit is closed to the public. According to Lloyd Athearn, Executive Director of Colorado 14ers Initative, the closure is due to legal concerns regarding liability of a hurt recreationalist and filing a lawsuit against the land owners. Hopefully this is resolved in the near future to continue to allow hikers to summit this 14er. Please note that as of March 2023, this closure is still active.

Bonus: Formerly Privately Owned Colorado 14ers: Mt Shavano

Mt Shavano used to have a large chunk of its standard hike to the summit owned privately. However Colorado Fourteeners Initiative recently acquired this land. By doing so, they have started projects to improve the trail and ensure that hikers will be able to access this 14er without any red tape for years to come. Thank you CFI!

Privately Owned 14ers: The Future

Some of you may be wondering about red tape and closing these mountains for public access in the future. As the owners of the Decalibron have demonstrated over the years, closing a 14er to the public is something that is absolutely possible. Usually these closures are temporary, but like any private land ownership, a permanent closure is absolutely not out of the question, look at all of the red tape and closures in places like Maui. The feedback I have heard from Colorado 14er owners is the lack of respect for their land and the potential for lawsuits. Liability remains a MASSIVE issue for these owners as we sadly live in a society where people like to sue over everything possible. The other main issue is the lack of respect of their land through trash, illegal use of firearms, starting fires, stealing artifacts etc.

Privately Owned 14ers Summary

Colorado has a rich mining history and its easy to see that the mountains are where these valuable resources were found throughout history. I have a lot of opinions on mountain and 14er ownership, but the one thing I absolutely agree with all land owners on is this: treat all private and public lands with respect. Whether you are hiking on a privately owned 14er or on one located in a Wilderness Area, always practice the 7 principals of Leave No Trace. Regardless of your opinions on the land ownership, we should all be treating land with respect and leaving it in better shape than before we got there. Hopefully by doing these simple steps, these beautiful mountains will remain accessible for generations to come.