Badger Creek Ranch

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Coaldale, CO
Badger Creek Ranch

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Regenerative working cattle ranch and education center based on 7,000 acres outside of Salida, Colorado

10/10/2026

During the summer months, we rotate our cattle to new forage every few weeks. Each spring, we develop a tentative grazing plan for the year, calculating how much time the herd should spend in each pasture based on the amount of land, forage, and animals. Now that we’re in October, the cow work up at the ranch is now all done for the season. Enjoy some of the sights and sounds of our cattle drives this summer through these videos from our moves to our Opal pasture and BLM leases.

10/01/2026

Registration is now open for our Sacred Interruption Pilgrimage running from June 24th-27th, 2027. A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey undertaken with the intent of personal growth, reflection, and connection to something greater than oneself. This Sacred Interruption Pilgrimage is designed to be EXACTLY THAT from the moment you register. To learn more about the experience or reserve your place, please visit- https://www.sacredinterruption.com

09/28/2026

Each year, around 2 million acres of grasslands are lost to development or crop farming in the US. Although often regarded as open space, grasslands are important and richly biodiverse landscapes, supporting a wide variety of birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Grasslands are also vital carbon sinks, holding around 30% of the world’s soil-stored carbon.

Ranchers play an important role in preserving our remaining grasslands. By reserving the land for grazing rather than development, ranchers can help preserve critical wildlife corridors and habitats. Regenerative grazing practices allow us to further support native grasslands, gradually building soil health and land resiliency with each year of stewardship.

09/22/2026

As summer draws to a close, we’re so excited to have a full schedule of Shadow Work events already lined up for the 2027 season. In the coming year, we look forward to bringing back many popular retreats from this year and along with the addition of a new Women’s Shadow Work through the Way of the Horse and Nature retreat. All of the events below will be held at Badger Creek Ranch, each with a unique focus.

2027 Event Schedule

May 27-30 Shadow Work through the Way of the Horse and Nature-Co-ed retreat
Jun 24-27 Sacred Interruption Pilgrimage
Jul 30-Aug 1 True North - An Exploration for Women
September 2-5 Shadow Work through the Way of the Horse and Nature- Women’s retreat

If you would like to learn more or register for any of these events, please visit bcrcommunity.org/events

09/18/2026

Tucked amongst the rocky ledges near our barn, cliff swallows have formed a hidden colony amongst the rocks. Constructed entirely out of mud, their gourd-shaped nests nearly blend into their surroundings. Each nest is built over the course of several weeks, during which the swallows will take 1,000-1400 trips to transfer wet mud in their beaks to build the nest.

In the morning and late afternoon, cliff swallows are particularly active, often swooping acrobatically through the air as they hunt. Cliff swallows are considered aerial insectivores, meaning that they catch and feed on insects in flight. They are so efficient at this that a single cliff swallow can consume as many as 6,000 insects in one day.

Unlike most bird species, cliff swallows have readily adapted to the changing landscapes of development. While we find ours nestled amongst the rocky cliff sides, they are just as readily found in outdoor sheds, beneath overpasses and bridges, or other spaces that mimic the protection of their traditional cliffside habitat.

09/12/2026

When it’s time to move our sheep to new forage, we use electric fences to create temporary paddocks. These temporary fences allow us to target a specific area for intensive rotational grazing, a practice that is especially beneficial for managing sheep grazing.

Sheep have the tendency to be selective eaters, often grazing very close to the roots. Grazing a smaller surface area helps encourage sheep to take advantage of all available forage, ensuring that the less desirable forage doesn’t end up overtaking the pasture. The process also helps boost the forage productivity, allowing greater recovery time between grazing periods and boosting plant growth.

09/04/2026

As a regenerative ranch, we strive to promote the health and resilience of the landscapes that we graze. One of the focal points of our stewardship are the riparian areas that stretch across many of our pastures.

Riparian zones are characterized as transitional spaces between water and land, such as riverbanks, stream-banks, or flood zones. These connective zones represent more than just access points to water sources, they can determine the health of the entire ecosystem. However, riparian areas are particularly vulnerable to disturbances, like overgrazing or development, so they require careful monitoring during grazing periods.

Healthy riparian zones are teeming with diverse native plant life, stabilized by strong root systems beneath that prevent erosion. These areas help filter pollutants out of the water and collect nutrient-rich soil deposits that improve soil quality.

By preserving riparian areas, we can ensure that these zones can similarly protect our local wildlife. The tall grasses and shrubs that thrive in riparian areas provide shelter for local bird species or even pronghorn fawns.
In combating the desertification of the West, these areas are critical to protect to build more resilient and biodiverse landscapes.

08/30/2026

We are so excited to be able to offer the opportunity for guests to come stay at the ranch in self-catered accommodations this summer. With a range of lodging options available, guests can choose from bunkhouse rooms, glamping tents, or even camping sites for a more traditional camping experience. Overnight stays at the ranch provide a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the ranch’s tranquil setting. During your time here, you can enjoy the fresh air, beautiful landscapes, and dark night skies perfect for stargazing. As an Audubon Certified bird-friendly ranch, there are ample opportunities for bird-watching around the ranch.
Our surrounds offer countless recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of options for mountain biking or hiking nearby. Situated along the Ute Trail (County Road 2), the ranch also offers an especially convenient stopover point for any passing cyclists. For more information on our accommodation options, please visit our website at https://www.badgercreekranch.com

08/27/2026

We’re looking forward to hosting the High Country Rancher Days tomorrow! Designed as an educational event for ranchers of all backgrounds, this event provides a wonderful opportunity to network with local ranchers while supplementing your knowledge on relevant topics. Tomorrow’s agenda includes a presentation led by Dixie Crowe (NRCS) on soil health and grazing planning, discussions about apprenticeships and more. The second day of the event will follow at La Dolce Vita Ranch near Guffey, CO. If you are interesting in attending, there is still time to register! Please reach out to directly to Monica Pless at (719) 221-3789 to register. We hope to see you there! For more information, please visit, https://extension.colostate.edu/event/high-country-rancher-day-1/

08/18/2026

This week, Deseret News published an article featuring the ranch and the Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian program. Including discussions with our ranch director, Chrissy McFarren and our apprentices, the article dives into some of the challenges facing the ranching industry and the role apprenticeship programs play in supporting the future of regenerative agriculture. To read more, visit the Deseret News website at https://www.deseret.com/the-west/2026/08/16/ranching-cattle-west-new-agrarians-program-regenerative-agriculture-quivira-coalition/

Photos by Isaac Hale for Deseret News

Address

PO BOX 21
Coaldale, CO
81222

Telephone

+17198372962

Website

http://www.badgercreekranch.com/, https://linktr.ee/BadgerCreek

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