Who We Are
The Boettcher Foundation believes in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. We invest in people, programs, and organizations across the state to provide a foundation for transformational impact and community building.
Courageous leadership benefits every community in Colorado.
Boettcher Family & Foundation History
The Boettcher family legacy in Colorado is one of seeking opportunity, valuing hard work, and giving back to the community.
Charles Boettcher built his family’s fortune through a variety of diverse business pursuits representative of the boundless opportunities available in the young state of Colorado in the late 1800s. His son Claude K. Boettcher helped to diversify the family’s interests.
The creation of the Boettcher Foundation, incorporated in 1937, fulfilled Claude’s desire to give back to the state where he grew up. The women of the Boettcher family were a guiding force in the Foundation’s from its earliest days. Edna Boettcher, Claude’s wife, served as a Trustee for 14 years. Mae Boettcher, who was married to Claude’s son Charles Boettcher II, served as a Trustee longer than any other person, with a tenure totaling 43 years. Charles II’s daughter Claudia Boettcher Merthan served the Foundation for 21 years and was chair of the board from 1992 to 2007.
The Boettcher family valued hard work, championed excellence, and sought ways to support the people and communities around them. The Boettcher Foundation continues to be guided by the family’s values and legacy as we invest in the people, programs and organizations that propel Colorado forward.
1852
Charles Boettcher is born
1874
Charles Marries Fannie Augusta Cowan
The couple moves to Boulder, where Charles establishes C. Boettcher & Co. Hardware store.
1875
Claude K. Boettcher is Born
Claude K. Boettcher is born in Boulder to Charles and Fannie. The family moves his family to Leadville in 1878 to open a hardware store serving miners.
1883
Charles Establishes an Electric Light Company
It is the first of its kind in Leadville.
1890
Ruth Augusta Boettcher is Born
1901
Charles Boettcher II is Born
Charles Boettcher II is born to Claude Boettcher and DeAllen McMurtie, the same year Charles organizes Great Western Sugar Co. & Portland (Ideal) Cement Co.
1910
Claude Co-founds Boettcher, Porter & Co.
The firm is one of the region’s most successful and the precursor of Boettcher & Co.
1922
Charles and Claude Purchase the Brown Palace Hotel
1940
Boettcher School for Disabled Children Opens in Denver
1952
The Boettcher Foundation Scholarship is Established
1958
Mae Boettcher, Charles II’s wife, Joins the Boettcher Foundation Board
1959
Boettcher Mansion is Donated to the State
The Boettcher Foundation donates the Boettcher Mansion to serve as the Governor’s Residence of the State of Colorado.
1987
Claudia Boettcher Merthan Joins the Board of Trustees
She is Charles II’s daughter. She becomes Chair of the Board of Trustees in 1992.
