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Celebrating Our Communities: The Story Behind Timberline

Photo of Timberline Ace Hardware building with mountains in the background
Timberline Ace Hardware has been part of Colorado communities for decades, growing from one small store to six. Our roots run deep, shaped by local needs, family values, and a promise to always help our neighbors. Continue reading to learn about our community commitment.

Rooted in Colorado

From the high peaks of Aspen to the wide-open fields of Norwood, the Western Slope is as varied as it is beautiful. Every town has its own pace, its own priorities, and its own kind of neighborly handshake. Timberline Ace Hardware isn’t just in these communities; we’re part of them.

Whether you’re fixing a fence before the next storm, touching up the guest cabin before the busy season, or finally building that raised garden bed you’ve been talking about for years, we’re here with the products, know-how, and helping hands you can count on.

Today, six unique Colorado hardware stores share one family-owned name, Timberline Ace. But our story began decades before the rebrand with a carpenter, a small-town hardware store, and a belief that helping neighbors is the most important job of all.

One Mission, Many Towns

Timberline Ace Hardware locations graphic

Owner Tom Mortell didn’t start out in retail—he spent 20 years as a carpenter, building homes from foundation to finish. His parents joined the Telluride Ace store as partners in 1985, and when they eventually became sole owners, Tom decided it was time to trade his tool belt for a red vest.

Over the years, Timberline Ace has grown from that single Telluride location to six stores serving communities across the Western Slope. The mission has stayed the same: offer local help, dependable delivery, and a product mix tailored to each town. We’re still family-owned, still local—just with a bigger team and a stronger foundation.

How the Timberline Family Grew

Graphic: How the Timberline Family Grew

  • 1969 – Telluride store opens
  • 1985 – The Mortell family joins
  • 2011 – The Mortell family becomes the sole owners
  • 2015 – Norwood store built
  • 2023–2024 – Aspen, Carbondale, Clifton, Battlement Mesa stores acquired
  • 2025 – Unified under the Timberline Ace name

Each store reflects the community it serves. Paint and décor pros in Aspen, ranch-ready stock in Norwood, heavy-duty tools and garden goods in Clifton and Battlement Mesa. Together, we’re stronger than ever.

Community at the Core: What Hasn’t Changed

Even as our family has grown, the heart of Timberline Ace hasn’t changed. You’ll still see the same local faces at the register, still get greeted with a smile, and still get solutions tailored to your project. Our B.R.E.A.T.H.E. values:

  • Build a Positive Environment
  • Respect Each Other
  • Effectively Communicate
  • Adapt to Change
  • Take Initiative
  • Help Everyone
  • Enjoy What You Do

B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Values Graphic

These core values are more than words. They’re how we show up for our neighbors every day.

Better Together: What’s New

Bringing six stores under one name has unlocked big benefits for our communities:

  • Upgraded inventory – On average, 20% more products in stock.
  • Delivery at all locations – Whether you’re a contractor on a tight schedule or a homeowner without a truck, we’ve got you covered.
  • Behind-the-scenes support – Stronger systems mean smoother service.
  • Future-focused growth – We’re building a brand that will serve this generation and the next.

A Shout-Out to Our Communities

We wouldn’t be here without you—our customers, neighbors, and friends. Whether you’re a contractor who relies on us for dependable stock, a rancher picking up feed and fencing supplies, a property manager keeping rentals guest-ready, or a DIYer tackling weekend projects, you’ve built Timberline Ace as much as we have.

Collage of Timberline Ace Hardware community and employees

From Telluride’s mountain charm to Carbondale’s creative energy, from Aspen’s resort buzz to Norwood’s rural grit, from Clifton’s hardworking core to Battlement Mesa’s small-town warmth, thank you for trusting us to be your local hardware store.

Same Commitment. New Name.

The sign might be new, but the dedication is the same. Visit your local Timberline Ace Hardware, follow us on social media, or sign up for our email list to stay in the loop on events, promotions, and local stories. Got a favorite Timberline memory? We’d love to hear it! Share it with us in-store or tag us online.

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