This website started while writing the book "Paths that Became an Empire,
Colorado's Pioneer Trails--Historic early paths to discovery, gold, exploration and commerce". The book began, in what seems a hundred years ago (but it was, in fact, the last century), from my interest in Colorado history and the fur trade, or mountain man era.  That time period is roughly from about 1820 to 1840.

While reading all the books, journals and other materials I could find on both Colorado and the fur trade, and practicing the lifestyle, I began to see the influence of trails taking shape. Going to bookstores I would always search for information about the trails I wanted to learn more about, and would travel the state visiting those trails. The effort, while fun, interesting and enjoyable, took a lot of time to read all of the books (not to mention a modest financial investment) on all of the trails and then to form an understanding of how they worked in aiding the development of our state at the time through today.

The idea of the book was suggested by Donna Hudgel, owner of Trails West Books. It was felt something was needed to give the interested reader an excellent statewide starting point. An overall picture would allow someone to gain an excellent understanding and serve as the perfect jumping off point for further research into the specific trails that interested someone most.

As a news reporter and photographer, marketer, writer and student of history, I began practicing the art of living history by becoming not only a re-enactor but a leader in the organization The American Mountain Men, the top fur trade focused group in the country.  Over the next 30 years, my interest continued when I felt a need to make it easier for others to learn about the aspects of Colorado's Pioneer Trails.