Harvesting Historical Riches

Steamboat Springs Looks Backward for Key to Future

Read any history book about a Colorado ski town and you are likely to find a section that describes the community’s transition from a mining- or ranching-based economy to a tourism-based economy.  Sometimes section headings and chapter titles gloss over these difficult and protracted realignments with pithy alliterative phrases such as, “From Silver to Snow,” or “From Ranching to Recreation.” Flip to the text and you will discover that most authors, to their credit, do their topics justice by examining the social, cultural, environmental, political, and economic issues that such change entails.  Blame the simplistic chapter titles on the editors.

As good local historians will tell you, every resort town’s story is unique.  Take Steamboat Springs, for example.  The Steamboat ski area’s web site describes the town as, “a small ranching community that serves as a constant reminder that the Old West is alive and well.” We know this statement is true because promotional photographs show an honest-to-goodness barn with cowboys in the foreground and groomed ski runs in the background.  As an editor, I’m tempted to compose a chapter title right now.  “From Spurs to Skis” has a pleasant ring to it.  But such a title would trivialize the efforts of local residents and leaders who have worked hard to preserve and promote their town’s authentic ranching heritage as well as the sites and structures that symbolize the town’s impressive contribution to winter sports.

The Legacy Ranch preservation project typifies the City of Steamboat Springs’ commitment to protecting its agricultural landscape while enhancing recreational opportunities.  The complex consists of six structures—including a ranch house, bunkhouse, machine shed, pole shed, coal shed, and barn—on 131 acres of hay meadows and pastures located on Colorado Highway 40 just outside the city limits.  The city conducted an historic structure assessment, stabilized and rehabilitated ranch buildings, and surveyed the area’s archaeological resources.  In addition, the city will establish recreation trails on the property that will connect to the main Yampa River trail system.  The State Historical Fund, which has supported several Steamboat Springs projects during the last ten years, made the work possible by contributing over $200,000 in several grants to the City of Steamboat Springs and its partner, Historic Routt County! (The exclamation point is part of the organization’s name.)

Partnerships like this demonstrate that local residents believe in the Steamboat Springs city council’s stated goal of, “preserving open space and agricultural lands while integrating appropriate recreational opportunities.” Several local organizations bought into the Legacy Ranch project, quite literally, by donating their resources, time, and expertise.  The Yampa Valley Land Trust, in partnership with Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, the City of Steamboat Springs, Routt County, and private citizens, participated in the property’s acquisition.  The Community Agriculture Alliance, a group dedicated to preserving the Yampa River Valley’s agricultural heritage, will hold educational workshops in the restored ranch buildings.  Yampatica, a nonprofit group that interprets the Yampa Valley’s cultural heritage will also provide educational services in the historic ranch buildings.

These partnerships prove that people in Steamboat Springs take pride in their cow-punching past.  Local citizens also realize that city recreational facilities improve the quality of life while enhancing the city’s image.  For example, Howelsen Hill, a city-owned ski area, has been the training ground for forty-seven Olympians, fifteen members of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, and six members of the National Ski Hall of Fame.  So, when the city’s open space supervisor opens a new office in the rehabilitated house at Legacy Ranch, he will be making a statement that the city treasures its historic buildings as well as the potential recreational opportunities that preserved agricultural landscapes offer.  “From Spurs to Skis” might not be an empty slogan after all.

BY BEN FOGELBERG, Editor