Now in its third generation of beekeeping, our farm and Colorado Mountain Honey is deeply rooted in Western Colorado honey production. 

It all began in 1946 when Ed Limbach began working for a local beekeeper, John Holzberlein. Shortly after working for John, Ed purchased beehives of his own. In the early 1950’s, Ed and his wife Genevieve purchased 30 acres. Today, that land is the home of Western Colorado Honey Company, Colorado Mountain Honey and the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation. 

Ed and Genevieve’s sons, Fred and Paul, grew up along side their father tending to the hives in the bee yards. Many times while visiting various bee yards, the boys would search for arrowheads, wander the land, or find bodies of water to fly fish.

Paul was especially fond of the bees and the process of beekeeping, which led him to continue his education after high school.  In 1971, Paul graduated from CSU with a degree in entomology. In 1976, Paul bought his father’s honey company as well as 1,100 beehives. Paul began living out his childhood dream— tending to the hives in various bee yards while taking small breaks to fly fish! Paul named his business Western Colorado Honey Company.

Along the way Paul married his wife, Nanci, on the Limbach farm property.  In 1984 Nanci started using the property for a wildlife rehabilitation center, and in 1991 it changed to a non-profit organization named after her grandmother, Pauline S. Schneegas. 

In 1997, Paul took on a 14 year old, Derrick Manass, as a seasonal worker for beekeeping. Derrick was enthralled with honeybees and their busy, complicated worlds before starting with Paul. His fascination with bees kept him coming back to the farm each summer to help with the bees all throughout out high school and beyond.

In 2002, Derrick moved to Kona, Hawaii to work for Kona’s Queens-the largest queen bee producing company in the world. There he learned from some of the best beekeepers in the industry.

In 2005, Derrick returned to Colorado eager to use all the knowledge he obtained to begin a career in beekeeping. Paul welcomed Derrick back to the farm, where he continued to grow and learn as a beekeeper. That year was especially difficult for many beekeepers due to infestation by an invasive pest: the Varroa Destructor Mite. Many hives didn’t survive. Derrick was ready to throw in the towel, but on his way to break the news to Paul, song lyrics spoke to his heart and he decided he couldn’t quit. In 2006, Derrick purchased equipment and honeybee hives from a retiring beekeeper and he created the company known today as Colorado Mountain Honey. 

Each year, Derrick takes on more responsibility from Paul’s Western Colorado Honey on the Limbach farm while continuing to operate and grow Colorado Mountain Honey.  He continues to volunteer his time for the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation, where he educates the youth on beekeeping as well as the day-to-day operations. In 2017, Derrick was inducted in as the Vice President of the Colorado Professional Beekeeping Association. 

Derrick has learned from the best and is continually learning and educating himself on the most sustainable beekeeping practices in the industry. Colorado Mountain Honey is a company that has deep roots in beekeeping. It is a company full of history, heart, hard work, and a desire to continue learning through adaptive practices.