Chimney Rock Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization, is devoted to providing our community, youth, visitors and volunteers a meaningful connection with the National Monument by creating enjoyable, educational, interpretative programs that connect our modern lives to those of the ancestral Puebloans.

Denise Fisk – President

Originally from Iowa, Denise moved to Colorado in 1984.  Leaving behind her 11 years teaching elementary art in Iowa Public Schools, she moved to the Denver area.  Her background includes property management of some of the largest communities in Denver plus 25 years in real estate sales where she earned membership in the million-dollar club at RE/MAX.

She met her husband, Eric, in 1988 and together they moved to the mountains outside of Denver.  During her life in the mountains she became president of the Conifer Chamber of Commerce, President of the Board of Directors for PeaceWorks (a domestic violence safe house) and served on the Board for the Mountain Metro Association of Realtors.  She is co-founder of Mountain Women in Business which is an active group of women business owners living in the Evergreen-Conifer-Bailey area.  She has received numerous awards over the years including the MMAR Community Service Award, the West Chamber’s Women of the Year Award and the Conifer Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2018 she and Eric decided to “retire” and moved to Pagosa Springs where they can fly-fish, hike and play golf in between helping their community become even a better place to live.  Right away she fell in love with Chimney Rock and its volunteers and is looking forward to its future growth and opportunities.  Denise is a member of Pagosa Bible Church and is also a member of the board for Pagosa Springs Instrumental Music Society and plays flute/piccolo in the band.

Bernadette Sikes – Vice President

I am a southern Colorado native and was born in Trinidad. I was raised in Thornton and briefly attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In my adult life, I have lived in Loveland, Denver, Elizabeth, Parker, and now Pagosa Springs.  My husband, Bob, and I moved to Pagosa Springs in 2020 wishing to enjoy our retirement in this beautiful locale and to be closer to our family. We will celebrate our 52nd Anniversary in October. We have been blessed with 2 children, 9 Grandchildren, and 2 (soon to be 3) Great Grandchildren. I love being a Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma.

I fell in love with Chimney Rock the first time that I visited the Monument. There is just something special there that makes me feel comfortable and at peace. I knew I wanted to be there a lot and set out to find out how to accomplish that. I found CRIA and became a volunteer.

Cheryl Uhl – Secretary

Cheryl has been a resident of Pagosa Springs since 2007 – part time first and now full time!  She started her career with the USAF as a telephone maintenance inside technician stationed at Elgin AFB in Florida.  After her four years of military service, she went to work for AT&T.  She retired from 37 years with AT&T in 2017.  Some of her jobs included plant communications technician, sales office computer repair and database manager, manager of technicians testing special services and global project manager PMP.

Cheryl’s first full moon tour at Chimney Rock was in 2004 and she said to herself that someday she would be volunteering for the Monument.  She finally got that opportunity in 2022 and she reports it has been very interesting and a lot of fun.  She is glad to have this opportunity to support CRIA and learn more about Chimney Rock.

Rhonda Julian – Treasurer

My name is Rhonda Julian. This is my second year volunteering at Chimney Rock National Monument. I grew up on a farm in southwest Kansas with three sisters and a brother. We were twenty miles from town and had to work on the farm.  I went to Bethany Nazarene College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Business. I had two sons and went back to get my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Dallas Baptist University while working a full–time job as Controller at a Nissan store there.  My latest work experience is working for Asbury Automotive since 2002 as a Market Controller. I was responsible for eight dealerships where the store Controllers reported to me.  I retired in January 2020 and moved to Pagosa Springs. I occasionally go back to the DFW area to see family. I have five grandchildren who are special in my heart.

Anthony “Tony” Aldwell – Trustee at Large

Tony has just completed his second season as a CRIA Interpretive Guide.  He describes this as a truly rewarding, always enjoyable experience.  Tony discovered Pagosa and Chimney Rock 44 years ago and moved here permanently two years ago after 50 years of work in the national security arena.  A graduate of Saint Olaf College and the Naval Postgraduate School, he served as an Air Force officer.  Initially focused on the Middle East, Tony served as air attaché at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia.  After 30 years of Air Force duty, Tony became a Defense Department Civil Servant and eventually a member of the US Government’s Senior Executive Service.  His final national security task was as the Director of European Policy for Lockheed Martin’s Government Affairs office.

Tony fully appreciates the essential role of CRIA to advance the responsible stewardship of CRNM through awareness, education and close collaboration with the USFS.  He looks forward to doing more of that as a member of the Board of Directors.

Ronnie Vierra Doctor – Trustee at Large

Ronnie has been living in Pagosa since she graduated from college in Northern California in 1986.  As a graduate of the Recreation Department, she has spent time working in the Rec/Hospitality/Tour industry her whole career.  She had family in Santa Fe in the early 1900’s in the art world and has a huge appreciation for the Native history and culture present in the four corners area.  She and her husband raised two children in Pagosa and both are off on their own now.  She and her husband report they are working towards slowing down (SLOWLY).  She looks forward to her volunteer time spent with an organization like CRIA.  She finds the group to be positive, dedicated and so hard working.

Joyce Hanchett – Trustee at Large

Joyce has officially been a volunteer for about 14 years, as she started while summering in Pagosa Springs. She has been privileged to be a Board member for the past two years and is on the Fundraising and Governance committees and served on the Search committee for our new Director. She is also a Gift Shop Host at the monument.

In her pre-retirement life Joyce had jobs in the business office of a school district, our church office, making presentations for a major textbook publisher, and being a multi-level educator. She has held local, regional, and state positions in educational and church organizations.

She has been married to Tom for 30 years, and has 3 daughters, 2 “bonus” children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grands.

Lace Stevens – Trustee at Large

My first career was that of an educator in Lafayette, LA, teaching every grade from K to 8. My second career is much more germane to CRIA. It began as a volunteer at Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction. That soon evolved to become an employee of Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) — working in the bookstore. Eventually, the position of Executive Director was established, and I became the first ED. My duties were numerous — challenging — demanding. And I loved it!  Currently, I am one of the two Gift Shop Managers at Chimney Rock. I assist Joanne Lucariello with inventory and supervision of Gift Shop volunteers. I am on the Fundraising Committee.  I look forward to continuing my work with CRIA at Chimney Rock National Monument as a member of the Board of Trustees.