Abandoned Farm and Homestead - Old Park Colorado

---

As you make your way East on Highway 40 and the town of Kremmling Colorado fades into your rearview mirror, you’ll pass the area known as “Old Park Colorado”. Taking a right onto CO-134 you will begin your ascent through the Gore Pass and make your way deep into Old Park Colorado.

---

This land was originally used by the Ute Indians, who camped in the valley for more than 1,000 years prior to the arrival of the first white settlers. During the warm months, they migrated from Utah to hunt the Bison in the Gore Pass. Early settlers;  fur trappers, observed the Ute bathing in the local springs. But soon after this, they disappeared from the area with no written trace. However; clues to their existence remain evident and are of interest to archaeologists to this day. ​

---

In the late 1800’s the western expansion brought wagons loaded with furnishings, household goods, and entire families. The first group of settlers came to the valley to the ranch the rich and fertile grasslands. 
​
Today I would like to look at one such settlement that is now falling into ruin, the Burke Springs Creek Ranch. The homestead and settlement consist of 9 standing structures, fencing, a chicken coop, and numerous empty or burnt plots. According to locals it was once used as a dairy farm; however, like many of the ranches in the area it became too costly to keep dairy cows and they switched to raising beef cattle.

---

In 1983 the Burke Springs Creek Ranch was purchased by a young and enthusiastic conservationist who recently moved to Colorado. Over the next 34 years, He and his wife were able to make many improvements to this property and many other properties in the district. However; these improvements mainly revolved around irrigation and water supply. He was quoted as saying “We really have a sustainable form of agriculture in this area with simple irrigation to grow enough hay for the winter to keep the cows fed and enough range to sustain them during the summer.”  ​

---

This Burke Springs Creek Ranch continued to be privately owned, until in 2006; when 70-acres were donated (under easement) to the Colorado Headwaters Land Trust (CHLT). The land trust performs annual water monitoring and basic land management. The CHLT describes the owners as life long conservationists, who still graze cattle on the land to this day. Which is fitting, when you consider the land has been agricultural land since it was settled and homesteaded in 1897. ​

---

The name of the area was recently dubbed “Old Park”. The name comes from when the region was broken up into multiple properties and filings. Basically, it’s a massive sub-development.  It houses 371 lots in total and they average around 5 acres apiece. It’s favored by people who enjoy snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, having few neighbors, and all things outdoors. ​

---

As you crest gore pass you will dip and dive through, beaver dams, rolling meadows, aspen groves, and eventually make your way to the Rock Creek Stage Stop. This is a must-see drive if you are a fan of the autumn foliage. The stage stop is a well maintained two-story log building. It was once used as a stagecoach route from Yampa to Kremling. Additionally, it was an Inn and served as a polling station. The building is maintained by the Routt County Historic Society. The Rock Creek Stage Stop is free to visit; however, donations are always encouraged.

---

It’s great to see that the Rock Creek Stage Stop and some of the privately-owned cabins are standing the test of time.  If you were to look around throughout the Gore Pass you will see many abandoned ranches and settlements that do not have the same fate. They dot the landscape, tucked between modular homes, and cattle ranches. It’s likely too late for the Burke Springs Creek Ranch to be saved, but I am glad we are able to see it before it completely goes back to nature. 

I would like to thank the Volt family,  Colorado Headwaters Land Trust, and the Routt County Historic Society for the preservation and conservation efforts that they have undertaken in the community. With that in mind, I would like to kindly encourage you to, please support your local historical society.​

---

Photos from the Day:

---

Music from the Video:

---