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Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |
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| Famous For: | Unique guest opportunity provides active participation for guests interested in hands-on experiences with cattle herding, natural horsemanship, cowboy traditions, land positive range management, and wildlife in its natural habitat. |
| Capacity: | 2 Families or Equivalent |
| Open: | Year-Round |
| Altitude: | 5,000 feet |
| Location: | 35 miles from Colorado Springs, 90 miles from Denver |
| Reservations: | 719-683-7960 |
| Rates: |
Adults: $1495 for 6 day, 6 night package, $300 daily
Children: 14 and older: $1190 for 6 day, 6 night package, $250 daily |
| Minimum Stay: | 3 nights |
| Deposit: | 50% due to secure reservation. Balance due upon arrival. |
| Payment: | Personal checks, traveler's checks, cash |
| Closest Airports: | Colorado Springs, Denver International |
| Transportation: | Pickup from Colorado Springs Airport |
| Travel Agents: | YES |
| Guest Reviews: | Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 Adults OrientedAdult Weeks Airstrip on PropertyArcheryBed-and-BreakfastAlways Big/Heavy Riders200-250 lbs. BirdingBring Your Own HorseCamps for KidsDude Ranch with Kids Camp Cattle Drives1 or Part Day week Cattle RanchesChildren's ProgramsExtensive Counselor Program - All Day or Camplike Program Cigar FriendlyComputer/Email ServicesConference ServicesComputer/Email Services |
Corporate Groups, Meetings Small (under 50) CuisineInternational Ranch/Western Dude/Guest RanchesEmail AccessFishingFly Fishing Equipment Available Fish on Your Own Lake Fishing on Property Professional Guides & Instruction Spin Fishing Equipment Available Instruction Available Lake Fishing on Property GolfNear (within 30 miles) HikingGuided On Your Own Horseback RidingHorsemanshipHorsesAppaloosa Paint Quarter Hunting RanchesBig Game Deer Wingshooting/Birds Dove Ducks Geese Quail Kitchen Facilities (in cabin)Languages SpokenEnglish Spanish LiquorAvailable Bring Your Own |
Mountain BikingNaturalist GuidesNon-Riding RatesOrganic FoodsPack Trips Ranch Activity Private Home RentalRide on Your OwnSometimes Available RVs WelcomeSaddle Your Own HorseShort Stays (1-4 days)Always Smoking PermittedWomenWorkshopsArt Nature Photography | |
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| LODGING |
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| Our guests stay in one of two comfortable ranch houses located near the ancient lake bottom we call the Vega Pond. The houses are clean and comfortable and furnished in southwestern and Western style with art produced on the ranch from our annual Artists Gatherings. The houses include private baths and sleep 6-10. |
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| RECREATION |
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| WORKING RANCH EXPERIENCE: We emphasize learning about herding and raising cattle, natural horsemanship, cowboy traditions, range management, and wildlife. Guests are involved, at whatever level they choose, in the everyday activities that make this ranch work. We invite you to come ride with us to gather a 5,000 or 10,000 acre pasture, or brand 150 to 600 calves in one day—the old way: on top notch cow horses, using long ropes and teamwork. Early risers can see the ranch’s remuda of cowhorses being run in for the day’s work. We’ll help you choose a horse from our string, whistle up the dogs, then ride out together to gather & move cattle, brand, doctor, or whatever is happening that time of year. If you want an authentic experience, this is it; nothing is made up. Live your dream of being a cowboy or cowgirl on the Chico Basin Ranch. HORSEBACK RIDING: The Chico Basin Ranch gives experienced riders a chance to ride our experienced cowhorses side-by-side with us across miles of varying terrain. ACTIVITIES: Cattle drives. Brandings. Weaning and shipping calves. Doctoring. Calving. Fishing. Swimming. Hay Rides. Birdwatching. Wildlife Photography. Fossil & Arrowhead Hunting. Canoeing. BOX T COWBOY CAMPS: Offered five times this year, a maximum of 12 participants play active roles in the management of the ranch during our busiest times of the year, calving season, mid season, and fall round-up. April 30-May 6, September 17-23, 24-30 are the dates set for the 2006 Box T Camps. A special Box T Women's Camp is April 23-29 and Family Cowboy Camp is June 25-July 1, 2006. Except for Family Camp the camps are adult only weeks and will each focus on different areas of ranch management as the April camp will be centered on monitoring the calving process out on the prairie, the July camp on range management and cattle herding, and the September camps on the management of the bulls and fall round-up. Each camp includes tent camping, chuckwagon meals, heavy emphasis on cattle management, as well as horseback and non-horseback related activity to give participants the opportunity to involve themselves hands-on in the management of the ranch while they are with us. Great food, deep Colorado starry skies and campfires -of course! |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| The Chico Basin Ranch is family-oriented. Due to the vigorous nature of our work, our riding is best suited to riders 14 years and older. We have special activities for children so that parents may have some time to themselves if they wish. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| Chico Basin Ranch offers wholesome meals. Our table fare includes hearty ranch meals and regional specialties. These meals feature Ranch-raised natural products such as grass-fed dry-aged beef, organic vegetables and fruit(when in season). Alcohol is not provided, but if you let us know what you expect to consume during your stay, we can purchase it for you. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| We welcome meetings indoors for small groups (10-12). Our meeting facilities are available year-round and include lodging and small meeting rooms. We also offer outdoor meals, cattle demonstrations and activities for large groups up to 800. |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Colorado Springs Visitors Bureau, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| The Chico Basin Ranch is one of the largest contiguous ranches in Colorado at nearly 90,000 acres. We make our living from ranching and always have. The Chico is made up of endless prairie, traversed by creeks & springs, dotted with wetlands & lakes, with the backdrop of the Rockies to the West. Its vast expanse of rolling plains, pools of water and meandering creek bottoms support a rich wildlife population, including one of the highest densities of pronghorn antelope in North America, mule deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, eagles and other raptors, waterfowl, dove, quail, and over 200 recorded species of migratory and residential birds. We work in harmony with nature and use our cattle as a tool to improve the health of the land for wildlife and people. Our grazing management emulates the relationship between Bison and the North American grasslands by rotating large herds of cattle through pastures, staying in any one pasture for as short a time as possible. You will learn how we are creating a healthier ecosystem. |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| Duke Phillips was raised on a large cattle ranch in Mexico and has spent a lifetime ranching in the United States and around the world. He is managing the Chico Basin Ranch to provide for education and recreation along with a cattle enterprise that supports long-term conservation of the ranch's natural resources and the persistence of our precious biodiversity. |
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| ITINERARY |
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| Example Itinerary: This is for a very riding intensive week. Guests can choose how involved they want to be. Sunday: Arrive after 2:00pm. Get settled and acquainted. Hike, fish, canoe on your own. Monday: Horse orientation and gathering 150 yearlings from the Pocket to the Rose Pasture (1/2 day ride) Tuesday: Gather 420 yearlings from the center pivot fields to the Horse Pasture (5 hour ride) Wednesday: Gather 20 head from May Camp and 30 pairs from the Whipple Pasture into the Dry Creek (5 hour ride) Thursday: Gather 570 yearlings into the corrals from the Horse Trap and the Rose and weigh them. (Short ride and half-day of corral work). Friday: Move 120 pairs from the North Wolf to the South Wolf and bring in one renegade bull. (5 hour ride) Eat dinner out in the range camp. Saturday: Breakfast on your own. Pack up and head out by 10:00 am. Happy Trails! |
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