How Colorado Ranching Families Are Shaping Sustainable Agriculture + Wildlife Conservation

Colorado has been home to ranching families for generations. In Paonia, Clark and Edwards, ranching families are committed to stewarding their ranches in ways that respect humans, animals and Colorado’s ecosystems.

Photos by Michael Paul Franklin Photography

Fire Mountain Ranch, located in Paonia, began with Kim and Sam Williams’ desire to connect with nature via agriculture. The Williamses have always been passionate about the outdoors, and they wanted the opportunity to make a positive impact on the health of their local environment. However, it wasn’t until their relatives Dave and Sue Whittlesey offered 80 mentorship that they seriously considered bison ranching. The Williamses both grew up on the Western Slope, where they are raising two sons to whom they hope to pass down the ranch. “Family mentoring is the most important history at FMR,” says Kim Williams. “The family connection allows us to give legacy work to our sons.”

Living in Paonia has greatly impacted the Williamses and Fire Mountain Ranch. Paonia is tucked away in the North Fork Valley, the largest organic and sustainable growing region in Colorado according to the Valley Organic Growers Association, and is heavily focused on agriculture.

“Most everyone in the area cares about the environment, specifically the land and water,” says Kim Williams. “Our family is laser-focused on creating the healthiest environment possible, and we couldn’t have done that without living in Paonia.”

The Williamses have always been staunch environmentalists, but ranching has given them and their family a new perspective on the hard work that goes into providing clean food and water. The small, agricultural community remains a strong driving force in their mission of sustainability.

Both Kim and Sam Williams hold deep respect for Colorado’s wildlife and are committed to clean, ethically-sourced meat. According to the National Humanities Center, North American bison nearly became extinct in the 1800s due to predation, drought and other environmental factors. By 1890, bison populations dropped from an estimated 30-60 million to less than 1,000. Despite this dramatic loss, bison populations have been restored to nearly 31,000 in North America, partly thanks to the preservation efforts of conservationists and ranchers. “When faced with painful loss, it is comforting to see examples of adaptations and endurance,” says Kim Williams. “We’re learning from the bison.”

The bison at Fire Mountain Ranch are grass fed and range wild with little to no human contact. The Williamses are focused on raising healthy bison without hormones or GMOs to deliver quality meat. To prevent waste, they eliminate feeding lots, warehouses and retail handlers between the ranch and table. In the future, the Williamses hope to grow Fire Mountain Ranch into a healthy herd of over 200 American bison grazing in the high valley below the West Elks, with the continued support of the Western Slope community.

HOMESTEADING HERITAGE

Another beloved Colorado ranch, The Copper Bar Ranch, was originally built in the late 1800s under the Homestead Act and has been owned by the Donovan family since 1982. Previously, John and Diana Donovan ran one of Vail’s oldest landmarks, Donovan’s Copper Bar, which later became the namesake of the Copper Bar Ranch. Since then, the Donovans have passed the ranch down to their daughter Kerry Donovan, and her husband Shad Murib. Donovan and Murib were both raised in Colorado and worked in public service, focusing on protecting public lands. Since taking over the Copper Bar Ranch, they have made it their mission to implement environmentally friendly ranching practices and prioritize clean, organic beef.

The Copper Bar Ranch is located in active wildlife territory in Edwards, making the ranch home to elk, mountain lions, coyotes and other wildlife. Donovan and Murib prioritize raising their cattle, horses and chickens ethically in a way that does not interfere with the natural land. Having worked in public service for several years, Donovan and Murib are consistent advocates for protecting public lands and keeping Colorado a safe place for people and nature to thrive.

By committing to “field-harvesting,” Donovan and Murib ensure their animals are raised in pastures instead of feedlots, where they can roam freely. This allows the Copper Bar Ranch to produce organic, grass-fed beef through environmentally friendly ranching practices, according to their website.

RANCH LIFE LEGACY

Across the state, near Steamboat Springs, is a Clark staple, The Home Ranch. It is known for its ideal setting for outdoor recreation and tight-knit community. Steve and Ann Stranahan originally built The Home Ranch as a family vacation and outdoor activity resort. It was purchased by Scott and Janet McFarlane in 2019, both with deep roots in Colorado who aimed to reinvent the property with deep respect to its historic legacy.

Janet McFarlane was born in raised in Denver, where she later began her investment career. Scott inherited his ties to Colorado and the ranching business from his father, a prominent rancher in Elbert County. He and Janet have since continued to pass down this legacy to their daughter, Courtney McFarlane, who has been an important figure in the reinvention of The Home Ranch. Throughout their website, the McFarlanes frequently cite the northwest Colorado area as a prominent influence on their lifestyle.

While The Home Ranch has long been a Clark staple, Scott and Courtney McFarlane have focused on expanding the ranch beyond cattle operations to include training for working ranch horses. They have aimed to make The Home Ranch performance horses the most favorable choice for world-class equines through countless hours of research, studies and training, assisted by fellow Colorado rancher Gusti Buerger. The McFarlanes have spent years developing a program to strengthen horses’ skills like under saddle basics, working with cows and fitness. This helps them become strong, healthy ranch horses who can compete in events such as Derbies or use their skills in practical ranch environments. While the program is still new, the McFarlanes aim to help train healthy ranch horses in a safe, environmentally friendly manner that prioritizes Colorado’s abundant wildlife and natural land.

In Colorado, approximately 38,900 farms and ranches occupy nearly 32 million privately owned acres, according to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “In the end, we realize we’re all in this human experience together,” says Kim Williams. “If the bison brings people together, we’re proud,” she continues.

Colorado’s abundance of thriving family ranches exemplifies what makes our state so special: commitment to nature and each other.

Originally published in the Winter 2024-25 issue of Spoke+Blossom.