Thank you for your interest in working at one of our all-inclusive Colorado Dude & Guest Ranches!

The dude and guest ranch members of our Association collectively hire 800 to 1,000 employees each summer. Our staff members are an important part of the guest ranch experience. Ranch staff members provide exceptional guest services and Western hospitality that make our ranches some of the best in the West.
Listed below you will find positions that are typically available at each ranch:

These ranches offer good jobs, good pay and great places to meet new people, not to mention a wonderful place to spend the summer. Our ranches typically do most of their hiring for summer employment December-March.

So What’s Next?

1. We encourage you to contact the ranches that interest you directly as soon as possible.  To download a brochure with contact and web information of all 27 of our ranches, please CLICK HERE.
2. Once you have narrowed down your search, the next step would be to contact the individual ranch and request an application. (Some ranches even have an application you can download online!)
3. Each ranch has a slightly different application process. So be sure you have all the information necessary to apply with your ranch(s) of choice.

a. What kind of interview would the ranch prefer to do? Phone? In Person?
b. What information needs to be sent back to the ranch along with the application itself?
c. What are the ranches deadlines for seasonal hiring and be sure to ask when you can expect to hear back from them on their final decisions.

We wish you the best in your search for a ranch position that is just the right fit for you!
If you have any additional questions, please email the office at office@coloradoranch.com.

Current Ranch Position Openings:  2019

Vista Verde Ranch (Updated 4/23/2019)

Line Cook/Prep Chef

• Prepare basic food items according to standardized recipes and instructions (salad bar, cold specialty items, and staff meals). Assist in ordering and receiving of all food and supplies.
• Memorize and utilize our serving portion sizes and all basic meal prep procedures used in the kitchen. Ensure that the kitchen, all food prep areas and all food storage areas meet cleaning standards.
• Work with our team of chefs to do portion prep work for other shifts when needed and also monitor product freshness.

Hiking/Biking Guide

Leading beginner to advanced bike rides and hikes in the Rockies. Teaching lessons to novice bikers as well challenging fit/ experienced mountain bikers. Knowledge of bike mechanics and repair is preferred and will greatly improve changes of employment. CPR/ First Aid required and WFA/ WFR preferred. Eagerness to embrace all areas of the ranch; its surroundings, western feel, local flora, fauna and culture is a must. Wilderness & previous guiding experience is welcomed but not required. Winter Employment possible as Ski/ Snowshoe Guide possible if a good fit.

Both positions will start on 5/20 and run through 10/20. All VVR employees start out at $11.20 per hour and on site housing/meals are provided for a small daily fee. All interested applicants can find out more by emailing Zach at jobs@vistaverde.com or by phone at (970)-879-3858.

Tumbling River Ranch (Updated 4/5/2019)

Looking for a fun summer job in the CO mountains? Tumbling River Ranch is a ranch/resort seeking a front desk/office and position. This position starts early May and runs through late August.  Looking for a smiling face that has the following skills: great people skills, at least 19 years old, phone skills, must be very organized, a self-starter, and look the western part! Must be able to lift up to 50lbs & be active and on feet for hours at a time; housing is shared dorm style.  Both the bedroom & bathroom would be shared with other staff members. Enjoy working on a team and jumping to help the collective team flexible/able to adapt activities to the needs of guests. Job duties : Coordinating all guest activities Work with all departments to coordinate the best guest experience possible Helping manage guests’ offsite activities including; fly fishing, massage Works with owner to best handle inquiries and reservations Willingness to learn all aspects of the guest experience, ranch operation & history. Providing only first-class service and hospitality in helping all guests. Managing incoming phone calls and inquiries in accordance with the owner. Handling guest check-ins, welcome packets, arrival and departure coordination. Handle general office duties. Handle all social media-posting on FB, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.  Working in the TRR website (WordPress). Location: Tumbling River Ranch is on Guanella Pass.  Located in central CO at 9200 feet in the heart of the CO Rockies. Our location gives staff a wonderful mountain experience, yet we are only an hour from Denver, Boulder and other popular CO sites. Please fill out a mobile friendly application at www.jobapplix.com/apply/tumblingriver

Cherokee Park Ranch (Updated 4/4/19)

We are seeking young, enthusiastic adults to join us this summer Mid May to Mid September. Work as part of crew serving, cleaning, and enjoying the beautiful wilderness of Livermore, CO! Make friendships that will last a lifetime and memories you will never forget! Dates must be: May 19-September 23 Salary+Tips+Room/Board+All meals included. Fill out an application and read full job description at www.cherokeeparkranch.com/contact/jobs”

Rainbow Trout Ranch (Updated 4/4/19)

www.rainbowtroutranch.com Needs housekeepers/waitstaff. Particularly from mid-August to end of the September, although possibly starting earlier too.  Give us a call! Sure, it is cleaning cabins, serving meals, kitchen clean up and such, but it is also living in the fabulous southern Colorado Rockies.  It is riding on your day off if you want to.  Or traveling somewhere amazing.  Or fishing our excellent stretch of river or nearby creeks and lakes.  Or hanging out at the pool, or in the hot tub.  It is making good friends and lifelong memories.  It is the Rainbow Trout Ranch experience and you’re gonna love it! We’d love to talk to you, so give us a call at 719.376.2440 or fill out the form: https://www.rainbowtroutranch.com/job-opportunities/

Colorado Trails Ranch (Updated 2/21/19)

Our application for employment which can be found at www.coloradotrails.com/the-ranch/employment. You will need to be available to work from May 13^th to September 24^th. We provide full room and board at no extra charge plus pay an end of season bonus.

Open Positions:

Kitchen Assistant – assist chef with meal preparation, some baking and they share dishwashing duties with another kitchen assistant.

Maintenance – general ranch maintenance, grounds work, light vehicle maintenance, electrical, plumbing, carpentry. Must be 21 years of age with clean, valid driver’s license. They also help at the shooting ranch and drive guests to activities

Fly Fishing guide – Teach guests fly fishing techniques and take them on guided trips. Must have some experience and must be at least 21 years of age with clean, valid driver’s license.

Operations – Combination position of housekeeping and serving meals. They also help out in our soda fountain and trading post store.

Elk Mountain Ranch – (Updated 11/7/18)

Open Positions:  Housekeeper/Wait staff/Dish Washer/Food Preparation, Wrangler

If you have a ready smile, are honest and willing to work long hard hours, love the outdoors and enjoy working with people, we may have a very special dude ranch employment opportunity for you! Elk Mountain Ranch is a first class guest ranch with off-the-beaten-path charm.

Applicants for employment must be at least 18 years of age and willing to live on the ranch. Modest housing and meals are supplied as part of our employment package. Please expect to have roommates. No smoking or drug use is allowed. A neat, clean appearance is necessary. We search for staff who are mature self-starters, who have strong communication skills and are team players.  We are looking for employees who are available for employment from mid-May to the end of August. Some positions extend through the end of September. Tips are prorated among the staff based on the number of days worked. Average compensation is approximately $2600 per month plus room and board.

Please see our employment pages at http://elkmtn.com/the-ranch/employment/

Sylvan Dale Ranch- (Updated 4/23/2019)

Seasoned Horse Professional

The mission of our horse operation is to provide riding adventures for all ages, while maintaining first-class facilities and optimum horse herd care.  We raise registered Quarter Horses for our recreational riding program and hire qualified wranglers to lead them. Apply only if you enjoy sharing the western lifestyle with others and are well versed in herd health, facility maintenance, coordination of a riding program including instruction, have experience training horses, and have a successful track record managing employees.  Compensation includes salary plus housing.  This is a salaried position. Housing is available.  We are located 7 miles west of Loveland, Colorado.  Send resume to susanj@sylvandale.com.

Maintenance Position: Buildings, grounds, and vehicles. Send resume to susanj@sylvandale.com.