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

Charles Boettcher is born in Kolleda, Germany.black and white photo of Charles Boettcher
1852

1869

Charles Travels to America

Charles visits his older brother Herman in Cheyenne, Wyo. In 1870 he becomes partner in his brother’s hardware business in Cheyenne, Wyo., and the Colorado city of Evans. He moves to Colorado in 1871.

1869

1874

Charles Marries Fannie Augusta Cowan

The couple moves to Boulder, where Charles establishes C. Boettcher & Co. Hardware store.black and white photo of Fannie Cowan

1874

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.black and white photo of Claude Boettcher as an adult

1875

1883

Charles Establishes an Electric Light Company

It is the first of its kind in Leadville.

1883

1890

Ruth Augusta Boettcher is Born

Ruth Augusta Boettcher, who would later be a significant donor to the foundation, is born to Charles and Fannie, who move to Denver in the same year.
1890

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.

1901

1910

Claude Co-founds Boettcher, Porter & Co.

The firm is one of the region’s most successful and the precursor of Boettcher & Co.

1910

1922

Charles and Claude Purchase the Brown Palace Hotel

1922

1937

Boettcher Foundation is established

The Boettcher Foundation is established by Charles and Claude on Dec. 22.

1937

1940

Boettcher School for Disabled Children Opens in Denver

Yellowed newspaper clipping with the headline "A Different Type of Schoolhouse" with a photo of the school

1940

1952

The Boettcher Foundation Scholarship is Established

Yellowed newspaper clipping with headline "12 Colorado Students Receive Boettcher College Scholarships" with photos of the recipients

1952

1958

Mae Boettcher, Charles II’s wife, Joins the Boettcher Foundation Board

Painting of Mae Boettcher in black strapless dress and gemstone necklace

1958

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.

1959

1981

The Boettcher Foundation Celebrates the Selection of its 1,000th Boettcher Scholar

1981

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.

Painting of Claudia Boettcher

1987

2003

Boettcher Foundation Marks $200 Million of Giving

2003

2008

Funding Stream for Biomedical Research is Created

Webb-Waring Foundation entrusts its assets to the Boettcher Foundation, which matches the monies to create a new funding stream for biomedical research in the state. The first class of Boettcher Investigators from the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research program is announced in 2010.

2008
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