Bolton grew up in Cooma, NSW. Her skiing career started when her parents signed her up for her first cross-country ski race, the Paddy Pallin Junior, which still runs today at Perisher. 

Bolton loved competing against older skiers – at the time there were not many other female cross-county racers, and males made for good competition too. 

Bolton had her first international experience in 1978, when she got to travel on the European racing circuit. Kerry Packer, owner of Perisher Ski Resort at the time, gave Bolton a scholarship to help pay for her plane ticket to Europe. Once overseas, race organisers enjoyed the novelty of having Australians competitors and paid for their transport and accommodation expenses. Bolton remembers fondly the nice camaraderie amongst the skiers on the European racing circuit in those years. 

Under the supervision of coaches from Norway and USA, such as John Caldwell, Bolton made the Australian Winter Olympic team in 1980. Bolton was the first Australian female athlete ever to compete in a cross-country skiing event at the Winter Olympics. She raced in the 5km and 10km, placing 36th and 35th respectively.

Favouring long-distance events, Bolton career standout moments are linked to Worldloppet ski marathons. In 1980 she placed second in the legendary Vasaloppet and in 1982 she achieved another prestigious second place in the Norwegian Birkebeiner-rennet race, a result  made even more impressive by the fact that she raced carrying a 6kg backpack.

After retiring from competitive cross-country skiing, Colleen joined the Police force and later became an instructor for the Ski and Snow Safety Unit. A life member of Cooma Ski Club, Bolton currently lives on the Far South Coast of NSW.