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Ranch Roads

Reflections on the Chico Basin Ranch.

By Josh Jensen

September 11, 2024

My first encounter with Chico began in 2018 when I discovered a leather shop online and ordered a dog collar for my pup, Bear. The collar was beautifully crafted, complete with his name stamped on it. When it arrived, I immediately put it on Bear, snapped a photo of my proud dog, and sent my thanks back to the shop. Their warm response marked the beginning of a connection that felt genuine.

In early 2021, I planned a solo trip to Chico to reflect on the changes of the past few years. I called to inquire about how soon I could visit and arrived in mid-March, only to be greeted by one of the worst blizzards the state had seen. Having grown up in snowy conditions, I was still unprepared for the wind in this storm. The last twelve miles of my journey were particularly challenging; I drove with my window down, relying on the grassy edge of the road and my GPS to navigate. Upon reaching the gate of Chico, the storm ceased, and the sun broke through the clouds. My guide for the week, a remarkable cowgirl, welcomed me with the words, “Follow me in your truck and leave some space; this road is a little dodgy today.” It was more than just a little dodgy, as we navigated over thirty minutes of snowy, muddy ranch roads to reach May Camp, my home for the week.

Each evening at Chico dinner is hosted by a different group that lives on the ranch. On my first night, I felt relief at not having to sleep in my truck on the side of the road. The following night, I dined at Tess and David's house, where Tess's cooking—ham and bean soup with all the fixings—was delightful, but it was the authentic conversation that left the lasting impression. The third night, I had the pleasure of dining with a lively group of four young women at the bachelorette house. I shared my love story with my wife, and their enthusiasm made the evening memorable. As I drove home that night along the same ranch road, the moon was so bright that I turned off my headlights and navigated by moonlight, carefully turning right after the second cattle guard. I later learned that for many of the ranch crew, I was the first guest they had cooked for. During dinner with Little Duke and Madi, we bonded over our shared passion for flying, as both Duke and his father are pilots, and my dad has a small plane.

During my stay at Chico, we rode horses daily, covering great distances. One day, we moved heifers to a new pasture, and another day, we herded a large group of cattle. I had ridden horses before, but never with such purpose or for such extended periods. I vividly remember wading through tumbleweeds at the gate and being amazed by the guides’ extensive knowledge of the land, plants, and birds. These long rides allowed me to appreciate Chico’s beauty and diversity far beyond what I had imagined from the road.

At Chico, the daily tasks varied; some days we fixed water lines, worked on vehicles, or even framed and sheetrocked—a task more suited to my skills. One afternoon, after a day of helping around the ranch, Little Duke invited me to see the ranch from above in his plane. I eagerly accepted, and we took off from the same ranch road that had led me to Chico. It was a great flight seeing the horse heading back out to the pasture for the night seeing the vastness that is Chico and all its many parts. Too soon the trip was over and I left Chico but it has stirred something in me. I would find myself thinking about Chico, its people and my experience. 

In June 2022, I returned to Chico, this time with my daughter during a father-daughter trip. Tess had invited us to join a birthday party that evening, and we felt like part of the family. The celebration included a spirited backyard soccer match, all under the golden rays of the setting sun with Pikes Peak in the distance. That night, my 13-year-old daughter drove us back to May Camp on that ranch road, and Tess texted to ask if we wanted to help brand cattle the next morning. We eagerly agreed! We woke up early, saddled our horses, and rode out to gather cattle. This time, I wore chaps, having learned from my first visit how the cholla could damage my pants. This was my first branding experience, and sharing it with my daughter was exhilarating. The new chaps still bear the bloody marks of that day, and wearing them brings back those memories.

I returned to Chico once more for an overnight stay on the way back from Zapata. This visit felt like a farewell from Chico. We stayed in a cabin near Tess and David’s, not far along the ranch road. I took an photo of the front porch looking over the Chico into the golden sun with Pikes Peak in the background and sent it to my wife. She sent me back a photo of our porch in the setting sun with our dogs in the yard and I knew at that moment that I wouldn’t need to see the Chico again. What was stirred up on that first visit was now at rest in my soul and the medicine that Chico offered me on that first visit my soul was no longer needed. So driving down that ranch road and under that sign I knew it would be my last visit. What I did not know was that it would be so many others' last visit not long after. Thank you to all of the people that made Chico what it was to me.

Have a memory to share from the Chico or Zapata?

2024 will be our final year operating on both the Zapata Ranch and Chico Basin Ranches in Colorado.

Over the years, we've shared these places with so many of you and know that they've meant as much to you as they have to us. Throughout our final months in each place, we'd love to collect stories from the community who've grown to love them. Your reflection could be an essay, a poem, a set of photos, a short video or a drawing — anything that captures a memory or feeling from the Chico or Zapata that you think should be remembered.

Our favorite submissions will be collected into a print publication and may be shared on social media, email or on our website, with credit to you.

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