In Colorado, where desert cliffs meet alpine forests and sandstone towers glow pink at sunset, the Colorado National Monument stands as a symbol of resilience and raw beauty. And now, it has its own bourbon.

Yep. Bourbon.

The Leopold Bros. Distillery, known for crafting small-batch spirits with a story, has launched a new whiskey named after one of their favorite childhood hikes: Monument Canyon Trail. But this isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a fundraising effort wrapped in heritage—and it’s deeply personal for the brothers who bottled it.

A family’s ties to the land inspire something more

Scott Leopold, CEO of Leopold Bros., says this bourbon is a tribute—not just to the land, but to their father.

“He was a landscape architect,” Scott says. “He worked on a lot of the campgrounds and recreational projects at the Colorado National Monument.”

The brothers spent summers alongside their dad, watching him sketch out park improvements and learning firsthand about public land stewardship.

“The Monument Canyon Trail—that was one of our favorites,” Scott adds. “We hiked it all the time. This release felt like a natural way to give something back.”

They mean that literally. Ten percent of all proceeds from the new bourbon will go directly to the Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) to support restoration, education, and preservation work.

Bourbon with a mission—and a label full of memories

The name isn’t just branding. “Monument Canyon Trail” means something to the Leopolds. That dusty, sun-baked trail cutting through the monument’s cliffs is where they learned to love wild places.

And the bourbon itself?

It’s a straight American whiskey, aged and bottled in Colorado. The flavor profile leans into warm vanilla, toasted oak, and subtle fruit—meant to echo the canyon’s warmth and complexity. The label even features an artistic rendering of the canyon landscape.

But more than flavor or design, it’s the mission behind the bottle that’s turning heads.

Where the money goes: preservation, programs, and access

CNMA Executive Director Dana Swatling says the partnership is more than just symbolic.

“This funding helps with everything from trail repairs to educational programming,” she explained. “It’s about making sure this place is here for future generations, just like it was for the Leopolds.”

Here’s where the proceeds are expected to go:

• Trail maintenance and erosion control

• Interpretive signage and visitor materials

• Youth outdoor education programs

• Habitat preservation and fire mitigation efforts

For a relatively small nonprofit, even modest donations can go a long way—especially when it comes from something that also raises awareness.

“It’s more than money,” Swatling said. “It’s putting the Monument in conversations where it normally wouldn’t be—like in liquor stores and tasting rooms.”

A small batch with big sentiment

The release is limited for now, with bottles rolling out across the Western Slope and select Denver retailers. It’s priced in the premium tier—not bank-breaking, but definitely not your everyday bottle.

Scott Leopold says that’s on purpose.

“We want people to sip it slowly. To share it. To talk about the Monument while they do,” he said.

He also hinted this could be the first in a series of “Public Lands Project” releases, celebrating other Colorado landmarks tied to their family’s history. But nothing’s official yet.

Why bourbon? Because people listen over a drink

There’s something about bourbon that brings people together. It’s sipped at weddings, poured at reunions, gifted in thank-you boxes. It starts conversations.

And that’s exactly the point.

The Leopold brothers believe if you can raise awareness for national park preservation through a bottle, then why not?

“It’s a unique vehicle,” Scott said. “But it works. People stop, ask questions, tell stories about their own time at the Monument. That’s the goal.”