Receptorfest was started by Sandy Parkinson (University of Utah) and Joe Falke (University of Colorado, Boulder) in 1997.  For many years, it involved just those two groups and was called the “Intermountain Receptorfest” because both labs border the Rocky Mountains and they loved to hike them whenever they could.  The meeting was, essentially, an opportunity to mix science with backpacking trips into the Utah and Colorado wilds. The following year (1998) was skipped because the Parkinson lab moved during the summer into a new research building.  Receptorfest has taken place every year since, in one form or another, except for the Covid shutdown in 2020.

Receptorfest has traditionally operated like a large group meeting with lots of discussion, crazy ideas, and nucleation of new collaborations. Everyone who attends typically gives a talk. In 2004, Receptorfest was attended by Mike Manson, and his students, and by Wing Lai of the Hazelbauer group. In 2005, the Taylor group joined. Every year since, Receptorfest has included more groups and venues.