Karval

Don Bailey
Karval High School, Karval, CO

Don Bailey, a native of Karval, Colorado in Lincoln County and a 1967 graduate of Karval High School, but most people know Don as a Badger, that is a Limon Badger. Don spent 37 years at Limon High School, the last nine as Athletic Director. He served as an Assistant Athletic Director for one year prior to becoming Limon’s 6th Athletic Director.

At Limon, Don was a biology teacher for his first 28 years as well as served as Assistant Principal for two years. He was the head boys’ basketball coach for six seasons from 1973-1979, compiling a record of 108-26. Track & Field was his longest tenure as a Limon Coach, serving as the assistant boys’ track coach for 29 years (1974-92 & 2001-2010). During his time as a track coach, Limon won the team State Championship six times (including back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005) and came in runner-up two times. Don had previously taught and coached at Branson High School(Colo.) for one year before coming to Limon. While at Branson, he coached the baseball team to a State Runner-Up finish. In the spring of 2008, Limon’s newly renovated Track was renamed the Bailey Track at Gaskill Field.

Outside of Limon Schools, Don has been active in the community, serving as one of the original Co-Directors of the Limon Historical Society, directing the Limon Western Festival and Trail Ride for over 20 years and many other activities over the years. Don grew up just 50 miles south of Limon in Karval where he played football, basketball, and track, and ran cross country for Karval High School, class of 1967. He attended Southern Colorado State College (now CSU-Pueblo) where he ran cross country and track, graduating in 1971.

Don is married to Janet, who taught French & Spanish at Limon High School for 34 years and was a Co-Head Coach for the cross country team. They have two sons, Craig and Brent. Don and Janet started a cattle ranch near Simla in 1988 and have lived north of Simla since 1991.

One of Don’s lifelong passions has been collecting saddles. His small collection has grown over the years and today numbers over 350. His private museum opened to the public in the summer of 2011 as the Bailey Saddleland Museum, open weekends Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.