Our Story

Learn About Our History and Founding

The Story of Lincoln Hills Cares

Lincoln Hills Cares was founded by Robert F. Smith and Matthew Burkett, two entrepreneurs with the ability to envision a future of what was invisible to others.


Based in Colorado, LHC is a charitable organization that strives to increase equity in accessing outdoor resources and opportunities for youth, families and communities that may experience barriers.


We aim to fulfill our mission through ongoing preservation practices and dynamic programs, activities and events across the Denver metro and Front Range mountain areas.


Along with a history of being one of Colorado’s most cherished mountain areas, Lincoln Hills has maintained its accessibility and roots in the community by facilitating year-round programs for youth, young adults and families. Through extensive restoration efforts, Lincoln Hills has recovered from its tumultuous recent history as a mining property and has reestablished its roots in connecting people to nature.

Meet the Founders

A man in a suit and tie is smiling.

Mathew Burkett

Co-Founder
Lincoln Hills Cares Co-Founder Robert F. Smith is smiling for the camera.

Robert F. Smith

Co-Founder
Meet the Lincoln Hills Cares Team

Lincoln Hills Cares Foundation

The Lincoln Hills Cares Foundation, founded in 2016, has kept a sharp eye on the future while honoring the extraordinary past of the Lincoln Hills property and programs. From its inception, the Foundation has relied on donations, allowing us to proudly serve over 100,000 youth, young adults, and families to ensure that barriers to the outdoor experience and the many careers that will allow us to continue to enjoy the outdoors are irrevocably erased.


Recently the Lincoln Hills Foundation has invested in a new outdoor classroom, dedicated posthumously to the former educator, coach and Lincoln Hills Cares Foundation CEO, Dr. Nathaniel Howard. This state-of-the-art classroom serves as a meeting place and educational venue for students, teachers, families, and many other groups with the shared vision of preserving both the history and the grandeur of the Lincoln Hills property. 

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"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."


Langston Hughes