Modern Ranching
Today, a significant part of the ranching industry involves tourism and conservation. Park County’s scenic beauty has attracted tourists since the railroad’s development. “Dude Ranches,” such as the Tarryall River Ranch drew men and women from the cities to the countryside, where they fished and rode horses. Hartsel’s hot springs and hotel were a major tourist attraction in the 20th century, but a fire burned down the hotel in 1972, closing it for good.[1]
Dude ranches still exist today and are a good source of income for modern ranches, although many are now called “guest ranches.”[2] They are much more luxurious experiences today and include stays in private cabins.
Ranches capitalize on the natural beauty and recreational opportunities in the Park County area, which persuades tourists to stay in guest ranches. An important issue for ranchers today is conserving the county's natural land and preventing residential and business development of the area.
Ranchers today have banded together with the common goal of preserving Park County’s natural landscape. Development threatens to push agriculture out, so ranchers seek help from organizations to protect the land. The Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust assists ranchers in their endeavors to permanently preserve their land for future generations. The Trust has so far conserved over 560,000 acres of Colorado land.[3]
Other organizations like the Palmer Land Trust have similar commitments and partnerships with ranchers to preserve the land and protect wildlife in the Park County area. Residents in the small towns around Park County are determined to maintain the area’s beauty, which draws hikers and birdwatchers from around the country and keeps the county free from major commercial development.[4]