Trail Ridge Marina a ‘second home’ for boating enthusiasts
Grand Lake venue voted best marina for third consecutive year
Izzy Wagner Follow
Izzy Wagner/Sky-Hi News
A tropical island getaway is more accessible than it may seem in landlocked Colorado — that is, if you are lucky enough to rent Trail Ridge Marina‘s one-and-only tiki boat for a ride on Grand Lake.
Marina owner Renee Valentine and manager James Newbury came up with the idea of revamping their oldest boats with unconventional decor rather than sending them to the dump.
“We call it putting lipstick on a pig,” Newbury said.
In addition to the tiki boat, Newbury has also built a backyard boat covered in astroturf, as well as a pirate-themed pontoon. These whimsical, homemade designs quickly turned the old boats into their most popular rentals.
The marina’s outlandish rental boats and community-oriented staff have attracted a loyal customer base that voted it Grand County’s best marina for the past three years. In fact, Valentine and Newbury said an estimated 80% of their renters return to the business for multiple summers.
“They call it like their second home,” she said.
Valentine herself happened to be a slip renter at the marina before becoming its owner nine years ago. She never imagined the business would fall into her hands, but a background in real estate and hospitality gave her the customer service and leadership expertise her role demands.
In the years since she has been its owner, not a single staff member of the eight-person staff has quit, she said.
Diane Bickler, Trail Ridge Marina’s front office manager, said the staff camaraderie and positive atmosphere are what make the 12-hour shifts worth it.
“[Renee] can’t get rid of us, because it’s a blast to work here,” she said. “This is our play time during the summer.”
During the 100 summer days that the marina is in business, Bickler, Newbury, Valentine and remaining staff all pitch in to make sure each of the 22 rental boats they send out daily is running smoothly. They clean boats, manage rentals and sometimes roll up their sleeves to help change a motor when needed.
“They enjoy getting their hands dirty,” Newbury said of his all-female coworkers.
Valentine recalled a rescue operation after customers had taken their pontoon to close to shallow waters, and she sent Newbury out to push the nearly beached pontoon back into deeper water.
“He really does walk on water,” she said.
Winner of Best Marina
The level of care and commitment the marina employees put into each rental is evident in customers’ reviews and positive attitudes after returning from a day on the water.
“People of all kinds come in, some are excited, some grumpy,” Bickler said. “They get off that boat, and their moods and attitude are just so happy, even after a rainstorm or hailstorm. It’s always an adventure.”
Over the years, the marina has embedded itself into the Grand County community.
“It’s all about working together,” Valentine said. “It’s a good community.”
To rent a pontoon, kayak, fishing gear or to be added to the marina slip rental waitlist, go to TrailRidgeMarina.com.
This story is from the Best of Grand 2025 magazine.
-
Renee Valentine is the owner of Trail Ridge Marina and has run the business for the past nine years.
Izzy Wagner/Sky-Hi News
-
James Newbury walks along the dock at Trail Ridge Marina on Aug. 16.
Izzy Wagner/Sky-Hi News
-
The view from Shadow Mountain Lake on Aug. 16.
Izzy Wagner/Sky-Hi News
-
-
Trail Ridge Marina is located on Shadow Mountain Reservoir, but boaters also have access to Grand Lake via a narrow channel that connects the two lakes.
Izzy Wagner/Sky-Hi News
-
Views of the Rocky Mountains can be seen from the lake as boaters sail out from Trail Ridge Marina.
Izzy Wagner/Sky-Hi News
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.
Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.
If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.