Are you feeling like you want to run away and hideout from the world right now? Then check out our 10 reasons to visit Vista Verde for a winter vacation. Plus, there is a bonus #11 special deal. 600 acres of private property surrounded by millions of acres of national forest. Cozy up by a…
One of the amazing benefits of living in a major river basin of Colorado is the abundant water that flows through the Elk River Valley. Charlie manages our irrigation system and hopes for consistent rainfall to help keep the pastures lush and green. With proper pasture management on the roughly 350 irrigated acres we use…
Last Friday, just after closing the ranch for the season, we hosted a group of kids from the Steamboat Boys and Girls Club. Mary and Shannan led the crew for a day of riding and hiking. Luckily the weather co-operated and they were able to have a picnic lunch out at the Homestead cabin. Due…
When journalist Sherry Ott visited the ranch earlier this fall as part of a media trip organized by the Colorado Tourism Office, we knew Vista Verde would be included in her posts and some sort of article about touring around Colorado in the fall. But, we never expected this amazing feature article that Sherry followed…
With over 100 horses, we do lose some from time to time due to illness or old age. It is heartbreaking, but a fact of ranch life. Occasionally, we have a loss that is monumental, and we had one of those recently: an icon of Vista Verde and a kind gentleman who has taught countless…
In the midst of a pandemic, it’s good to watch life still moving along. And 2020 has been a great year so far for loving and living here at VVR. Our V-Harmony side hustle is still moving full steam ahead. To be counted as a V-Harmony couple, you must have met at the ranch, and…
Following the first week of the season, we were curious to hear from the guests how they felt the week went with all the new precautions and safety practices in place. It was heartwarming to read these comments, and also this review on Tripadvisor. Thanks to our wonderful guests for being game to come experience…
We’re open! From the moment our first guests walked through the door on June 14th, it just felt right. This ranch is meant to be a place for people to come to recharge, relax, heal, and connect with nature, animals, and people. Although it was an intense push to get everything in place and ready,…
It is with great excitement that we announce the inaugural recipient of the Elk River Kipper Scholarship. When we established the scholarship fund in honor of Charlie’s 20 years at the ranch, those of us on the selection committee understood we would have to choose the recipient each year, but we greatly underestimated the difficulty…
We are all pioneers right now: navigating unknown terrain with no trail to follow, doing our best to keep our herds safe, and wondering if at the end of the journey we’ll have a comfortable home with a warm fire to sit around and tell tall tales of the obstacles we overcame to get here. …