Live on a Luxury Dude Ranch Full-Time? Yes, Please!

Fans of the award-winning mountain retreat Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Tabernash, Colorado can now book a permanent stay. After nearly 20 years of ownership, Bob and Suzanne Fanch are offering 24 custom homesites at the 6,500-acre luxury guest ranch located just minutes from Winter Park Resort. The new community known as “The Ranches at Devil’s Thumb” is a private, woodland-and-meadow enclave of homesites, ranging from 11 to 35 acres and spread across 550 acres. Residents of The Ranches will enjoy resort amenities (pool, spa, restaurants, stables, airport shuttles, housekeeping, concierge, etc.) and activities like yoga, cross country skiing, and fly fishing. Denver is only 90 minutes away and Winter Park Resort is right down the road. Homesites are priced from $750,000 to $1.8 million. For more information, visit https://www.devilsthumbranch.com/ranches/  or call 970.726.5008. 

Bob and Suzanne Fanch

“We’ve always felt that we’re merely stewards of this land, and we’re looking for people who share that mindset, who appreciate the openness and wildness of the land and want to enjoy it now, but also preserve it for future generations,” said owner Bob Fanch.

The Ranches are located on a ridge just northwest of the base area of the Orvis-endorsed resort and have 360-degree views. Some sites sit high on the ridge, looking out on protected national forest, and others tuck into the valley near a trout-filled river. 

“The homesites are on land that has the best views of the Continental Divide to the east and Byers Peak to the west, and they don’t impact the views from the resort,” said Fanch.

Home size is dependent upon the location and terrain. Most homesites allow 8,000 square foot homes and the remainder allow 10,000 square foot homes. The minimum home size allowed is 3,000 square feet. There are established design guidelines that allow for a unique vision, while creating an intimate enclave that feels cohesive, true to place, and respectful of natural resources.

“We have seen a cross-section of interest, from retirees seeking a legacy home for their extended family to visit, to people who intend to live there full time, and of course there are people who want to use it as a vacation home,” said Fanch.

Two homes are currently under construction, with one slated to be complete by the end of the year, according to Rob Cyman, president of The Ranches.

“I think families who appreciate what the ranch is about and what it offers, as well as preservation, solitude and also conveniences easily in reach, will find a home here,” Cyman said. “It’s a place where you can feel removed but easily connected.”

Devil’s Thumb Ranch: 

At Devil’s Thumb Ranch we offer experiences that embrace the pioneering spirit of the early homesteaders while honoring and preserving the pristine landscapes for future generations. Here, guests are invited to participate in real, authentic ranch adventures from horseback riding, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing, to mountain biking, zip lining, and more on over 6,500 acres of Rocky Mountain wilderness. Of course, such a luxurious escape would be incomplete without refined modern comforts like our renowned spa, acclaimed restaurants, elegant lodge accommodations, and private rustic cabins. Simply unplug from everyday life and lounge by the year-round heated pool and hot tub, de-stress with stand up paddleboard yoga, or curl up by the fire, roast a marshmallow, and reconnect with the people who matter most. It is, dare we say, an authentic Colorado Ranch experience you simply can’t find anywhere else. https://www.devilsthumbranch.com/