Community Spotlight | Trek for Life
In the current issue of Bluebird Days Magazine, we spotlighted Trek for Life, a local initiative turning outdoor recreation into a force for good. Founded by Paul Uhl in 2019, this organization blends our area's beauty and camaraderie with a mission to support mental health. Trek for Life raises awareness and provides vital services to those in need. What started as a partnership to bring mental health care to the valley has become a growing movement. Through events like the Trek for Life Memorial Hike and Pedal Your Butte-Off!, the community is invited to support each other, ensuring no one walks—or rides—alone.
Community Spotlight | Trek for Life
By Nancy Bush
This year, enjoy everything Crested Butte has to offer — stunning beauty, outdoor adventure, and amazing community — while, at the same time, giving back to those living right next to you. That is the goal of Trek for Life, a local organization committed to raising awareness of mental health issues affecting those in our valley and providing much-needed services. Founded in 2019 by Paul Uhl, Trek for Life originally partnered with The Center for Mental Health in Gunnison to start a mental health services clinic in Crested Butte. At that time, there were no such services available in Crested Butte. Six years later, Trek for Life is now in its third year of partnering with Gunnison Valley Health Foundation (“GVH”), with 100% of its fundraising going to GVH — specifically earmarked for providing mental health and whole health services in Crested Butte for the under or un-insured.
Paul Uhl, a native of Chicago, founded Trek for Life in honor of his son and Crested Butte resident, Kyle Uhl, who took his life while living in Crested Butte in 2018. Like many of us, Kyle was drawn to Crested Butte by his passion for the outdoors — for skiing, hiking, rock climbing, biking, and fishing. Trek for Life is Kyle’s father’s commitment to helping bridge the gap between those in need in our community and much-needed health care services. But, he can’t do it alone. As Paul states, “Trek for Life is about a community helping itself. This is not something that one organization or individual can do alone. Everyone needs to be aware and be active in reaching out to friends to make sure they are okay. People need to help and support each other in this community. That is why Trek for Life emphasizes that you don’t have to walk alone.” To date, Trek for Life and Pedal Your Butte-Off! have provided more than 800 mental health sessions for those in our community, and the events continue to grow through the efforts of long-time sponsors like Bluebird Real Estate, GVH, Pinnacle Orthopedics, and KBUT Radio.
Each year, Paul Uhl hosts two fundraising events: Trek for Life Memorial Hike, a beautiful 11-mile hike over West Maroon Pass from Crested Butte to Snowmass; and Pedal Your Butte-Off!, a human-powered wheeled “challenge” through the Town of Crested Butte, ending with a celebration of life in Town Park with live music, food, and drink! Elk Avenue will be closed for Pedal Your Butte-Off! for all to enjoy! Be creative! Ride a wheeled device of your own creation, wear a costume, and sport a mustache! Your imagination is the only limit and fun is a given!
The Trek for Life Memorial Hike will be held this Fall, on September 14, 2024, during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Pedal Your Butte-Off! was held on Sunday, June 23, 2024. You can help by registering to participate in the Trek for Life Memorial Hike online at trekforlife.net and use your profile page to invite your family, friends, and co-workers to walk with you, to sponsor you, or to make a donation in your name!
View Bluebird Days Volume 13 here.
