To all our friends, guests and family:
It is with a sad heart that we write to tell you that the term of our 25-year lease on the Chico Basin Ranch is up, and 2024 will be the last year that we live there. In 2025, the Colorado State Land Board will welcome a new entity that was selected from a group who responded to their request for proposals to lease the ranch. The major difference between the selected proposal and ours was that they offered significantly more money for the lease than we can make work economically from the Chico. In making their decision, the Land Board also did not place value on the community that we have created at the Chico, which is what has become Ranchlands.
It has been an amazing ride for which we are truly thankful. Our time at the Chico empowered us to be bigger than we thought we could be, and through this journey, Ranchlands was born and grew into what it is today. Further reflections can be found in a letter that was published to our Collective members.
It's through the Chico, Ranchlands’ founding ranch, that everything started which has directly or indirectly led to meeting you. We want you to know how much we appreciate the incredible support that all of you have given us through the last 24 years. We could not have gotten here without you.
The ending of this era has been an emotional time for all of us, yet we know that it is also a door opening to something better. Through this process, more than ever, we will need your support.
Our biggest challenge right now is finding another ranch to which we can move the current residents of the Chico. Any lead that we can follow up on is super helpful. More details about the ranch we are looking for can be found here.
Our largest and most important cattle herd was founded on the Chico and makes its home here, producing all the bulls used on the other ranches. These cattle herds are our most valuable possession, part of our family circle. They need a new home. The only other option is selling them, which we cannot imagine doing.
Our young team of apprentices also needs a home and a place to continue their training. They have become part of our family.
Please stay tuned. This is not an end, but the beginning of something greater. Again, thank you for being such an important part of Ranchlands. We look forward to hearing any ideas that you have and ultimately, to seeing you on the next ranch!
All the best,
Duke Phillips III
If you know of a ranch for lease or are interested in talking more about Ranchlands, please contact us at 719-641-9677 or info@ranchlands.com.
