Ernest Fredrick Kuhlman

Ernest Frederick Kuhlman 

83, Silverton Colorado, passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2024, surrounded by his family. 

Ernie, as he was affectionately known, was born on September 13th, 1941in Cripple Creek Colorado to Charles and Gladys Kuhlman. 

Ernie is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Shelly, (husband Bobby) Rummell of Ouray Colorado, son Kevin, (wife Christina) Kuhman of Temecula California, and daughter Krystal Kuhlman of Montrose Colorado. Ernie was preceded in death by his daughter Kimberly Kuhlman. He also is survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

Brother Carl (Janet) Kuhlman of Grand Junction, CO was by his side the day he passed. He was preceded in death by brothers John Kuhlman and Paul Kuhlman.

Ernie will be remembered for his many accomplishments. Ernie attended and completed barber school in the Denver area in the early 1960’s. He then returned to Cripple Creek to begin a career in barbering. During 1964-1965 Ernie made plans to head west to California to visit his brothers Paul and John. En route, he made a stop in Silverton to visit high school friend Billy Anderson, who was at the time working alongside Andy Archuleta hauling ore for CB Johnson trucking company. Billy convinced Ernie to stay in Silverton and learned to drive semi-truck and work alongside Billy, Andy, and Danny Glenn. This decision for Ernie would lay the roots for what would be his next 60 years of life as a Silvertonian. 

Ernie continued to work for CB Johnson and took the lead as shop manager until the mid-1980s. During this time, he began what would be a long and respected career in politics. In the early days, Ernie served on the City of Silverton Town board, was a member of the TV association, and then eventually was elected to a seat as San Juan County Commissioner. This role was the one that Ernie took the most pride in and in doing so, helped shape Silverton and San Juan County into what it is today. Ernie would serve the citizens of San Juan County for a total of 33-plus years as a commissioner. He would also serve a term as Mayor of Silverton. 

After his time at CB Johnson, he would work for the Colorado Dept of Transportation maintaining roads and plowing snow. Ernie truly loved his time with CDOT and took pride in keeping Red Mountain, Molas, and Coal Bank passes open and safe for citizens and visitors alike. He would spend a total of 20 years with CDOT. 

Ernie also worked numerous years for P&G Mining in Silverton. He would manage the mill in Howardsville and oversee the reclamation of the North Star and Pittsburgh mines. This job also took him along with Silverton native Zeke Zanoni to the Superstition mountains in Arizona in search of the Lost Dutchman mine- one that is still unfound today. 

After the closing of the Sunnyside mine in 1990, many people looked for jobs in and around Silverton. Ernie hired on with the Old Hundred Mine Tour, and during that time took a newly created mine tour to new heights as he made the tour what it is today. People from all over the US and other visitors sought out the Old Hundred Mine tour, and more specifically Ernie as their tour guide. He would eventually work a total of 25 years for the Old Hundred. 

Ernie truly loved Silverton. He loved the mountains, he embraced the history, the people, and he loved just being there. He established himself as a Silverton icon, one who cared for those in and around the town and was a person who would place the town, and what was best for it, above himself. He will be missed by many.