Martha and Chip Lenihan
BORN TO BE TOGETHER

"Born 65 hours apart in the same hospital in Louisville, Kentucky..."

by Kelly Dickson

T?hey each have stories to tell that split your sides and bring tears to your eyes, but none tell a good story better than Martha and Chip Lenihan. When they are done with you, you can’t help but be smiling and inspired all at the same time.

Born 65 hours apart in the same hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, Chip and Martha still sit side-by-side today in everything they do. Investing in Telluride and being active “weekend warriors” from Durango back in the mid-70s, gave them their first memorable box canyon experiences. Remembering back, Chip has no hesitation in recalling his white knuckle drive over Black Bear Pass with buddies that opted to walk. Kissing the solid ground of Telluride was not all that was on their minds once they arrived. Bodily relief was eminent, but not appreciated by the local authority at the time. Through his laughter Chip explains in great detail how they no more than pulled themselves together when the sheriff, “appears in a big brimmed, worn-out cowboy hat and two ivory handled six-shooters strapped to his hips.” They were frisked on the brick wall of what is now Last Dollar Saloon with cheering patrons, including Martha, laughing and hollering from the roof of the saloon. “We were run out of town,” Chip states.

Lucky for Telluride, they persevered and returned to make a life for themselves and their children, Kathryn and Patrick. With a love for people and dedication to community, Martha and Chip have taken on serious and not-so-serious community issues. Chip’s spearheading initiative and successful implementation of the Idarado Solution, “Cleaned up river water and ground water in the area and was, by far, what I consider my greatest accomplishment of my life to date,” says a more serious Chip. He is also involved in a variety of charitable events, including being the local mouthpiece for Turkey Bingo and running the auctions to raise money for the Adaptive Ski Program and the Women’s Resource Center. You can also find Chip every 4th of July emceeing the outrageous parade and all of the day’s festivities. Martha can be found not far away enjoying time with friends and family.

Everyone who has skied Telluride’s mountain has at one time or another probably met Martha, since she has worked for the ski resort for 13 years. Chip can either be found in his real estate office or, preferably, fly-fishing the San Miguel River. Martha and Chip are genuine people who enjoy each other and life. They feel that the best things about Telluride are that it is an “incredibly energetic and caring community.” No wonder they call it home.

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