Chico Basin Ranch

The Chico Basin Ranch is owned by the Colorado State Land Board.[5] The Colorado State Land Board was founded in 1876 to manage land given by the federal government to the state and creates revenue for some of the state’s foundations and public education. The Chico Basin Ranch is overseen by the part of the Colorado State Land Board that leases out agricultural farm land.[6] Cattle first grazed on Chico Basin lands in the mid-1800s.[7] The famous cattleman, Charles Goodnight, grazed many of his cattle on the present day Chico Basin Ranch.[5] The HOP Ranch, formed by William Holmes and two Detroit business partners at the north end of Chico Basin Ranch, started operations in 1871.[8] Over the next hundred years the ranch land changed hands several times, eventually coming under the jurisdiction of the Pueblo Army Depot.[6] The Chico is currently managed by Duke and Janet Phillips who stress the point of land conservation. The Colorado State Land Board bought the 87,000 acres of land and in 1999 made a one of a kind lease with the Phillips family. The Phillips are able to lease the land for twenty-five years.[9]

The Chico Basin’s grass-fed beef is sold through Lasater Grassland Beef, which sells grass-fed beef from both the Chico Basin and the Lasater Ranch. The cattle are raised with no exposure to antibodies, pesticides, or hormones nor are they fed animal bi-products. The beef is kept fresh by dry-aging for about two weeks and then by flash freezing. This is an older way to preserve meat.[2]

The quarter horses used to herd cows on the Chico Basin Ranch are raised and trained on the ranch. The twenty-five horses that are ridden by guests are trained to be ridden with a western saddle and to accommodate all riding experiences. Riding lessons are offered to inexperienced beginning riders. Guests who are experienced are able to round up cows and participate in the branding of the calves.[5]

The Chico Basin Ranch has just recently opened a horse sanctuary where horses who need to retire or who are injured can live out the rest of their days on the open range. The horses are not immediately released out on the range. They are gradually acclimated to large pastures. The horses are continually monitored to make sure they are safe and healthy.[3] All supplemental feed, hoof trimming, and medical treatments are taken care of.[10] The goal of the horse sanctuary is to give the retired horses a home in their natural habitat, where they can live free to run, sleep and eat to their fill.

The housing facility is a renovated adobe house. The house offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, a full kitchen, dining room, and sitting area. There are also washers and dryers available for guest use. Guests may also use wireless internet and a telephone. There is a fire pit and screen porch outside.[1]

The fishing and hunting on the Chico Basin is coordinated by a branch of Ranchlands LLC, Box T Cowboys. Hunts range from released upland game birds to big game opportunities. Big game hunting includes mule deer. Waterfowl hunting is also available to hunters. Fishing is described by local guides as the best warm water fisheries on Colorado’s Front Range. There are five lakes that contain bass, crappie, and blue gill. Hunts are currently available ala carte. The Box T Cowboys are partners with The Colorado Division of Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, and other local wildlife organizations.[11]

The Chico Basin Ranch is a bird banding station for the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Bird banding helps biologists understand migratory habits and bird anatomy. Mist nets are used to catch birds without harming them. Once caught, a small metal band is placed on the bird’s leg. Each band is numbered so when a bird is recaptured scientists will know when and where it was banded. The bird’s condition is observed by checking its weight and measurements. Banding stations are also very important for education. Teachers are encouraged to bring their class to learn about birds and their habitat.[4] There are over three hundred birds on the ranch bird list. Anyone may come throughout the year and observe the local or the migratory birds.[12]

Free programs are offered for children of ages and college students. Activities incorporate different subjects like science, math, and geography. Aquatic invertebrates, grasslands ecology, botany, livestock grazing, ranch animal anatomy and physiology, natural art, prairie dog studies, and pioneer studies are just a handful of topics that are offered. Activities can be tailored to meet the needs of the class.[13] Teaching Environmental Science-Naturally is a program sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The Division of Wildlife describes it as an activity the focuses on local natural resources that provide teachers with hands-on experiences, in their own backyard. The program gives students a chance to learn in a classroom and then experience in the outdoors.[14] Some of the camps that are offered are On the Wing which is a summer camp for bird observatory, Scouting which is for boy and girl scouts, and Ranch Camp which teaches about life on a working cattle ranch.[13] For adults, the Chico Basin has a class in holistic resource management, grazing planning, horsemanship and ranch roping. All of these classes are taught by experienced staff educators.[13]

The main goal of the Chico Basin Ranch is to have a natural environment that encourages a local economy and conveys a beautiful landscape of wide open spaces. To also live a full meaningful life that has freedom, peacefulness, and privacy. Agriculture should both be creative and traditional. The Chico Basin wants to create an ecosystem that supports human community and wildlife. The Chico Basin staff has the knowledge to teach others about the land and the people living on it.[1]

• The Nature Conservancy
• Rocky Mountain Bird Observation
• American Birding Association
• Colorado State Department of Agriculture
• Pikes Peak Birding Trail
• The Quivera Coalition
• The Allan Savory Center for Holistic Management
• Lasater Grasslands Beef
• Sustainable Beef Productions
• Cattle Industry of the American West
• Colorado Historical Society
• Colorado Adventure Guide
• Colorado Film Resources
• American Cowboy[1]

• The World Outdoors
• Ranchweb
• American Roundup
• Gordon’s Guide
• Hidden Trails
• Working Cattle Ranches

• Chico Basin Ranch - official site