Winter 2017

The History of
Cross Mountain Ranch
The massive 224,050-acre Colorado retreat is comprised of two distinct ecosystems:
the alpine landscapes of the Upper Ranch and high desert of the Lower Ranch and includes valuable
components such as water rights, agricultural operations, recreational offerings, and conservation resources.
SPOTLIGHT
Humble beginnings...
While the origin of Cross Mountain Ranch dates back to 1882 when the
Northwest territories of Colorado were opened to homesteaders, the
property has far since exceeded its humble beginnings thanks to the
vision and commitment of owners, Ronald and Kitty Boeddeker. What
started as a chance visit to the Safari Club International’s annual hunting
convention in Reno, Nevada would lead to the creation of one of the most
significant properties in the West. It was at the convention that Kitty
wandered into a small real estate booth when her eye caught something
of interest. There amongst hundreds of pristine properties on display,
Kitty saw a diamond in the rough: a small cluster of ranches for sale near
Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
The Boeddekers were no strangers to real estate. The late Mr. Boeddeker
was a property developer and founder of Transcontinental Corp., best
known for his work with Lake Las Vegas and Waikoloa Beach Resort. At first
glance, the property seemed too good to be true, but fit all the criteria for
the Boeddeker’s dream vacation retreat: proximity to the West coast, near a
ski town and had plenty of water. After an initial visit and an inspection from
an expert team of surveyors, Ronald and Kitty purchased the property and
the legacy of Cross Mountain Ranch began.
Stewards of the land…
From the Ute Indians, to Kit Carson, Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid and
his gang “The Wild Bunch,” some of the most well-known figures in the West
experienced and appreciated the beauty of Cross Mountain Ranch. Having
been raised on a ranch himself, Boeddeker had a deep-rooted respect for
the land and a love of Western heritage, which fueled a lifelong commitment
to conservation. He envisioned Cross Mountain Ranch to be an escape back
to nature and a place where he and his family could reconnect with the lands
and his roots. He often reminded his friends and family that he was “simply a
steward of the land and its legacy” and wanted to improve and preserve the
diversity and majesty of Cross Mountain Ranch.
It is with this vison that Boeddeker and his family set out on a mission to
construct a masterpiece, which is now one of the last remaining pieces of
the great American West.
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