Join us for High Country Rancher Days, a two-day educational event on August 28th and 29th, 2026, hosted by Park County & Chaffee County CSU Extension. This unique event is tailored for new and long-time production ranchers in the Colorado High Country seeking to deepen your knowledge, build a local network, and improve your ranch’s resiliency in the face of uncertainty.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced local ranchers, expert speakers such as CSU Extension Veterinarian, Kathy Whitman, and NRCS Agent, Dixie Crowe, as well as interns and apprentices from the host ranches.
Key topics include:
Grazing planning as it relates to soil health, drought, and land monitoring.
Livestock health (mineral programs for Colorado Mountain Region soils/plants).
Local topics (trout conservation programs and/or range law and addressing conflict).
And, hosting interns and apprentices.
Day 1 will take place at Badger Creek Ranch (an hour northwest of Canon City, CO) and will conclude with opportunity for music and gathering with one another around the campfire.
DAY 1 AGENDA
10 am – 12:30 pm – Welcome, Badger Creek Ranch Orientation and Tour with Chrissy McFarren
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch (provided)
1:30 pm – 3 pm – Badger Creek Ranch Apprentice Share
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Social Break
3:30 – 5 pm – Dixie Crowe (NRCS) – Grazing Planning in Relation to Soil Health Presentation, Questions, and Discussion
Overnight Lodging Options: Tent camping sites as well as limited lodging are available at both host ranches, so you are welcome to stay on or near Badger Creek Ranch or head towards Guffey, closer to where Day 2 of the event will be held. Additional accommodations nearby include RV camping, glamping, Airbnb rentals.
Day 2 will be held at La Dolce Vita Ranch near Guffey, CO.
DAY 2 AGENDA
10 am – 12:30 pm – La Dolce Vita Ranch Orientation and Tour
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch
1:30 pm – 3 pm – Kathy Whitman (CSU Extension Veterinarian) – Livestock Mineral Health on High Altitude Soils Presentation, Questions, and Discussion
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Social Break
3:30 – 5 pm – La Dolce Vita Ranch Intern Reflections & Local Guest
For more information and to register please click here.