Our Board of Directors

Brian Shelton

I am a native of Colorado Springs with 25 years climbing experience that has taken me all around the world and I am still proud to call the Garden of The Gods and Cheyenne Canon my “Home Crags”. I also played a major part in the development of Red Rock Canyon. I run Front Range Climbing Company which I started in 2001. I have been working with the city for over 10 years now regarding the maintenance and replacement of anchors and protection. I believe that my detailed knowledge of the climbing areas in the Springs and their history will be an asset to the Board.

Stewart Green

I’m a Colorado Springs’ native and started climbing at North Cheyenne Canon in 1965 when I was 12 and at the Garden of the Gods in 1967. Since then I’ve climbed all over the world, visiting many climbing areas and seeing how they were managed and then brought the best of those ethics back to my home crags in Colorado. I was on the Garden of the Gods Master Plan in 1992/1993 and then served on the Red Rock Canyon Open Space Master Plan committees in 2003/2004 and in 2012/2013. Over the past 10 years I have served as a liaison with Brian Shelton between climbers and the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Dept, working out a process to place and maintain fixed hardware, run trail days, and deal with climbing issues as they arose. My contacts and knowledge of the political process as well as my knowledge of many other climbing areas are a continuing benefit to maintaining our climbing freedoms in the Pikes Peak Region.

Ryan Chelstowski

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I strongly believe in the value of preservation and community in climbing and is why I'm excited to be a part of the PPCA.  I believe we can maintain and sustain our climbing community in the Pikes Peak region through the sharing of information and listening to our community members.  I am the South Platte Ambassador for the PPCA and truly enjoy working with the USFS and State Parks and Wildlife on keeping these areas preserved for future climbing generations!  I look forward to chatting with you!

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Climbing has dramatically shaped Andrew’s life.

He now does his best to effect positive change in the lives of

others through climbing, conservation, and community building.

Andrew Reed

Ian started climbing in the South Platte in the late 90’s.  He is a fan of crack climbing, specifically
off widths. Why? Because he hates himself.  Outreach and marketing are his concentrating areas in
climbing and a major factor in his decision to join the PPCA. Educating new climbers to the
ethics and nuances of the sport is extremely important to him. Outside of climbing Ian’s other
passions include; photography, backpacking, robbing banks, hiking, patio margaritas and golf.

I have lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. I am invested in creating a welcoming environment, not only in the climbing community, but in the Colorado Springs outdoor community as a whole. Education is my passion, and I look forward to fostering a healthy relationship between the youth and the natural wonders that surround us.

Ama Dei

I grew up in Colorado Springs and learned to climb in the Garden of the Gods back in
the early 1980’s. I have fond memories of the Garden, when the road actually went
right through the Gateway, to the old Hidden Inn which was nestled amongst the fins
just west of North Gateway rock. We loved to climb the daring routes on the West
Face, high above the parking lot. In those days, ropes could be seen all over the West
and Finger Faces on any warm, sunny weekend. In the intervening years, I’ve traveled
and climbed all over the American West, and most of those routes we held dear have
long since fallen into obscurity.
My interest these days lies with climber safety and historical education, and I would like
to give back to the community in those ways. Back in the day we learned to climb from
experienced climbers we met. While today there are many avenues for learning, safety
and history are often lost in the rush. It hurts me, every time I hear that someone has
died or been seriously injured in an accident that could have been avoided.
Communication and safe practices are how we avoid accidents. And history is how we
understand the why, and learn to appreciate the struggles and achievements of the
climbers who came before.

Bill Olszewski

You Could Be Next!

Please use our contact form, Facebook or email to find out more. Attending our quarterly Public Meetings is also a great way to find updates, meet and mingle with the current Board, and learn how to be involved. Hope to see you soon!