Welcome to The Colorado Mountain Ranch! For over 60 years, The Colorado Mountain Ranch has shared fun, laughter, and good old Western hospitality with countless happy people. Come discover the mountain magic!
Outdoor Adventures ... Located at 8500 feet elevation just above Boulder and near the historic mining town of Gold Hill, The Ranch offers majestic vistas of the Rocky Mountain Front Range in the day and the twinkling lights of Denver by night. The Ranch's 200 acres of wildflower meadows and pine 'and aspen forests become the perfect mountain setting for Mountain Events May through September. The Ranch is just right for children's summer camps, your outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor reception, corporate ropes course challenges, group horseback riding, mountainboarding, and company picnics.
The Lodge ... Our rustic turn-of-the century log lodge exudes the ambience and hospitality of the old West. Our friendly staff beautifully presents plentiful and delicious cuisine, from hearty Western-style to gourmet.
Features ... The Ranch has an outdoor amphitheatre overlooking Longs Peak, corrals and a barn with friendly Western riding horses, small farm animals to delight the children, gymnastic equipment and trampolines, a campfire ring, a crafts shop and tipi, the challenge ropes course, mountainboarding terrain park, Frisbee golf course, and archery range. There are many horse and foot trails with magnificent vistas of the snowcapped peaks of the Continental Divide and easy access to mountain lakes and streams.
History... The members of the Walker Family of The Colorado Mountain Ranch have each been lifetime youth workers, beginning with Coach and Norma Walker, a gym coach and teacher from Texas. They directed residential camps in the hills of Texas and Oklahoma, and at what is now the Y Camp of the Rockies near Estes before establishing their dream as Trojan Ranch in 1947 at today's location in the mountains west of Boulder. Since 1973, second generation Walkers - Gail, Mike and Lynn - have directed the Colorado Mountain Ranch Summer Camp, focusing since 1997 on enhancing the quality of day camps for Boulder youth ages 7-16. The founding principles of the Ranch still hold today as young people build confidence and resilience through wholesome outdoor activity and a positive connection with nature and each other.
The Walker Family... Gail and Mike grew up in the Camp, as have Mike and Lynn's daughters, Kate, Josie and Rosie. Gail is the Executive Office Manager and Director and also works with the Boulder Valley Schools during the school year. Mike manages the Ranch Mountain Facility and the Horses year-round. He is also the guy who can fix anything from electrical to plumbing to wood and metal construction. Lynn was hired by Coach Walker in 1970 as a counselor for the little girls' group, has degrees from CU in Psychology and Sociology, and holds an American Montessori Directress certificate. Today she focuses on CMR Staff and Program Development. Kate works with Gail in the office, managing accounting and supplies. Josie helps Lynn with off-season staff and parent communications and Mike with large equipment operation and general maintenance. During the summer season she is a counselor and manages the Arts and Crafts and Native American Indian Lore programs. Rosie apprentices with Mike as horse manager and Western riding instructor and also assists in the office.
Season ... Mid-May through the first of October.
Directions ... Access is through Boulder. Go west (toward the mountains) on Canyon to 9th. Turn north (right) on 9th to Mapleton. Turn left on Mapleton, which becomes Sunshine Canyon. Go 10 miles (6 miles paved and 4 miles dirt road), then through the town of Gold Hill. The Colorado Mountain Ranch is 3/4 mile west of Gold Hill. (NOTE: Do not use MapQuest, Google Maps or GPS.)