Sonlight was incorporated in 1979 as a not-for-profit organization in the State of Colorado. The summers of 1980, 1981, and 1982 were devoted to guiding backpack trips for high school students. In October 1982, 40 acres of land was purchased in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. Construction began in 1983, along with the sizable projects of water and waste water systems. All the buildings were built with volunteer labor during Memorial Day "barn raising" weekends.

1979: Ideas and drawings on a coffee shop napkin

1982: Purchase of 40 acres in Hidden Valley Ranch, north of Pagosa Springs

1983: The back half of Winchester Cathedral was built. Water and sewage systems installed

1984: The main lodge was built

1985: Tongue and groove ceilings in the lodge installed

1986: Hilton cabin constructed

1987: Winchester Cathedral added on to the original bath house

1988: The Shop constructed

1989: High-Up Regency and Eastin' Westin' built in one weekend

1990: One log staff cabin

1991: Two log staff cabins

1992: The office added onto the lodge

1993: Staff room added onto the back of the lodge

1994: Two new towers, new deck on the lodge. 40 additional acres of land purchased (adjacent to the original land)

1995: Two staff cabins; 40 acres purchased along the north end of the west boundary; 4200 gallon water storage tank installed

1996: Elk River mobile home installed

1997: New deck on Winchester Cathedral and took DOWN the Boulder Building

1998: Added a new entrance and a split rail fence, remodeled the Hilton bathroom, added ramp, and completed the Spokes and Oakes Nature Trail

1999: Backpacking building constructed and climbing wall was built

2000: Major fence reconstruction and new deck on the Hilton

2001: Year round cabin, staff residence built

2002: Steps on the backpack building, and much maintenance!

2003: Tongue and groove ceiling in the backpack building, covered deck on the backpack building, and maintenance, new roofing on the Cathedral, reseeded and leveled the meadow

2004: Bouldering wall built, "doll house" constructed at the backpack building for restrooms, new round picnic tables as well as major fence reconstruction

2005: Dodgeball court, new roof on the lodge. Replaced a water storage tank collapsed by the winter snow. Adios Elk River!

2006: Two new small cabins, one in the neighborhood for staff, one behind the lodge for a speaker. Two new hot tubs. We replaced two water storage tanks collapsed by the winter snow. I think there's a trend here with the water tanks.

2007: Took down the rec shed. Built a new deck called 'Ginny's Grill'. Chairlift swings added to the deck.

2008: A roof over the nurses trailer. Fixed damage from heavy snow.

2009: Scotts Spot built in memory of Scott Hudson. 6 new Adirondack chairs.