Our Team

Meet the amazing people behind the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation

Ken Chlouber, Founder

Ken Chlouber was a shift boss at the Climax Mine when his supervisor told him “you can send your guys home, were “shuttin’ her down”.   More than 3,000 miners, including Ken, lost their jobs & overnight Leadville had the highest unemployment in the nation.

At the same time Ken was also serving Leadville as one of the town’s county commissioners.  After realizing the extent of the economic catastrophe that would come from the mine ceasing operations, Ken and the other commissioners knew something drastic had to be done.  The Governor of Colorado told them “you’ve got to bring visitors to town to spend money. The key to getting them to do that is to get them to stay overnight.”

With that, Ken took the story of a California ultra marathon and his personal experience with a local burro race, and changed the fate and future of Leadville forever.  With the help of a few others, they took a wild idea to boost the economy of Leadville - the creation of the Leadville Trail 100.  “If they’re gonna run 100 miles, they’re definitely going to have to spend the night!”

Ken went on to serve 10 years as a Colorado State Representative & 8 years as a Colorado Senator. Ken is a 14-time finisher of the LT100 Run & completed in over 30 burro races, many with his long-time burro Mork.

Ken is an inductee of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Lake County Sports Hall of Fame, Pack Burro Racing Hall of Fame and Colorado Running Hall of Fame.  Ken is honored to share in the founding of the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation. He knows the Legacy Foundation will serve to create an ever-lasting investment in Lake County and the people who call Leadville home.

Veronica Rimbert, Executive Director

Originally from Australia, Veronica has called Leadville home since 2005.  She has grown to love the high country and the wonderful people who call Leadville home.  Her Leadville Trail 100 experience started back in 2009 as crew for her husband riding in his first of many LT100 MTB races.  After several years she too got the itch, and it was time to test her limits and see what the famed Columbine climb was all about.  She was captain of the Outward Bound aid station for the LT100 RUN for 8 years, posted up at mile 25 & 75 on the race route.  Veronica is excited to be a part of the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy and to help out her local Leadville community, as well as the many racers and their families who visit Leadville each year. 

Merilee Maupin, Founder

An import from Texas, Merilee moved to Leadville in the 70’s where she worked as the local travel agent.  Back in the days before the internet and online booking sites, a travel agent is how you made your travel plans.  But once the Climax Mine closed the only travel plans the locals were making were one-way, out of town, with a pickup full of personal belongings. As a burro racing buddy of Ken’s, Merilee understood exactly what he was asking when he approached her with an offer, “Come be our new race director.  I can’t pay you anything but I promise to double your salary every year!”

Merilee was the first woman ultra-marathon race director and filled the role in Leadville for 28 years.  In the early days she used old school pencil and paper to track athlete information, registration payments & land use permits.  She knew the names, addresses and birthday of all the athletes as well as their kid’s names and birthdays!

Known now as the First Lady of Leadville, Merilee is credited with creating the heart that is Leadville.  Rather than treat their athletes as customers, Merilee told Ken “No.  We’re gonna to treat them as family.”  If you do the math over all the years, you could figure that Merilee has hugged more than a million athletes after they crossed the finish line in Leadville!    

But what might be her greatest contribution to Leadville, it was her drive to create the mechanism for doing more!  The Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation was created to provide an avenue for athletes to give back to a place many had fallen in love with.  Her ongoing dedication has been an inspiration to many, as she embodies the founding spirit of the Leadville.

Kelsey Wood, Marketing Manager

Kelsey made her way to Leadville, via Waco, Texas, 10 years ago and never turned back. She was fortunate enough to grow up spending time in Leadville at her family vacation home and knew her love for the mountains would bring her here permanently. In 2016, Kelsey’s brother raced the LT100 MTB and after spending the day crewing, she was hooked. In 2017, she started full-time with the Leadville Race Series as the Retail Manager. The town of Leadville holds a very special place in her heart so she is very grateful to work for an organization whose main goal is to give back to their beloved community. When Kelsey’s not working, she loves spending time in the mountains with her family and pup.

You can reach Kelsey at lt100legacymarketing@gmail.com

Board of Directors

Carl Miller

Carl is a third generation Leadvillite. Working as an underground electrician for the Climax Mine for 27 years, until throwing his hat into the political realm. Carl was elected as a Lake County Commissioner and then served in the Colorado House of Representatives. He then had the good fortune to be selected as the first President and Executive Director of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum here in Leadville. Now enjoying retirement, Carl spends his time outdoors. However in the winter months he stays warm writing and reading local and world history, politics and biographies. Carl and his wife have three succeeding family generations living in Leadville and enjoy everyday with them.

John Cirullo

John, a former Lake County Real Estate agent, is now one of Leadville’s all-star volunteers! He serves his community on many boards and committees, donating his time and energy to many of Leadville’s historic events and celebrations. John has been involved with the Leadville Trail 100 races since its inception in 1983 and is honored to now serve the Foundation. John has been married to his wife Joann for 45 years. Together they raised two sons, four grandkids, and even 3 great-grand children. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and of course watching football. John and Joann travel together, going on cruises. They have explored many countries and visited five continents.

Tyrone Rimbert

Tyrone Rimbert, the newest Leadville Trail 100 Legacy board member, grew up in Leadville, graduating from Lake County High School. Tyrone manages his family’s 40 year owned business. Tyrone has competed in several Leadville Race Series events, including multiple times finishing the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. His love and passion for the town was obvious in his efforts while racing. Tyrone has a desire to see the town prosper and thrive. He continues to be charmed by the beauty of the area and constantly encouraged by the local community of hardworking, supportive, selfless locals. Tyrone also enjoys winter biking and telemark skiing with his wife and two mountain hounds.