The Perry Ranch is located on Colorado Highway 134 on the road to Gore Pass just east of Toponas. Now in its fifth generation, the ranch has been in the Perry family for over 100 years.

The Perry Ranch began in 1911 when Winfield Scott Perry traded his hardware store in Kansas for 880 acres of rangeland in Routt County, Colorado. Two years later, in 1913, he secured water rights, which were crucial for the ranch’s development and sustainability. Winfield’s vision for the ranch involved continuous expansion, and by the time he passed the property to his son, Ote Perry, the ranch had grown to approximately 3,000 acres.

Ote carried on his father’s legacy by further expanding the ranch and establishing a diversified operation. He raised Hereford cattle and cultivated hay, oats, wheat and barley. Additionally, Ote and his team logged some of their pastures, rolling the fallen lumber down to the roadway to generate supplemental income. To honor Ote’s dedication and hard work in transforming the ranch into a thriving business, the Perry family later named a peak located in one of their pastures after him.

By the 1940s, Ote Perry owned about 100 workhorses, which he used to build county roads before the county became mechanized. These horses were also employed to put up their hay in just nine days. To achieve this undertaking, the Perrys hired workers through an employment agency in Denver, outfitting them with Levi jeans, good shirts and leather gloves from F.M. Light & Sons to ensure they were ready to work. This nine-day timeline is an impressive feat, as according to Chuck, “nowadays with tractors it takes about three weeks with good weather to put up hay.” 

However, the advent of new technology did eventually change the dynamics of labor on the Perry Ranch when the family acquired a hydro fork, which essentially replaced the need for hired hands. They stacked their hay loose and owned the 96th Hesston stack hand ever made, which was also the second one on the Western Slope of Colorado. Additionally, they obtained a prototype stack mover, but after breaking its frame, it had to be sent back. The following year, Hesston provided a stack mover and a feeder, which acted like a bread cutter, allowing them to adjust it to cut different size flakes.

Around 1962, the Perrys built a barn to accompany the existing three-room cabin on their property. In 1978, Mary Jean Perry (mother of Bill and Chuck) started the South Routt Library District by building her own little library on the hillside of the family’s ranch headquarters. One time, Bill ordered books about getting even and little tricks, which became a popular borrow among prisoners in Canon City. Mary quickly stopped loaning these books once she realized they contained such dangerous information. 

Actively engaged in local politics, Mary was a dedicated member of the Republican Party, serving on various committees and often being chosen as a voting delegate to state conventions. She dedicated 30 years as a director of the Yampa Valley Electrical Association, with Chuck also serving two terms. This commitment highlighted the Perrys’ dedication to their community and county. Additionally, Mary raised chickens, geese, rabbits, guinea hens and peacocks, and started a lamb flock that grew to about 90 head of sheep, which kept Bill and Chuck busy maintaining sheep wire.

During the Vietnam War, Chuck received a student deferment to avoid being drafted during Christmas week. Despite his initial deferment, Chuck later joined the Air Force, where he served with distinction as a navigator on a tanker. 

Back home, the Perrys were deeply embedded in their local community. They had a roping arena near where Junior was born, which became a focal point for the community by hosting the Toponas Rodeo. This event was a significant draw, attracting about 800-1,000 people each year. Unfortunately, the rodeo ended abruptly after their unbranded horse and saddle were stolen. The loss was profound, but Junior’s determination to find the horse paid off when he eventually located it, now branded. In a moment of intense emotion, he nearly shot the horse before his wife intervened, calming him down.

For Chuck and many of Perrys, memories of any day spent on horseback were treasured, filled with the joy and freedom that ranch life provided. Seeing the joy in Chuck’s eyes as he reflected, made it easy to understand Junior’s reaction back in the day.

Family gatherings were also a cornerstone of the Perrys’ lives, with Father’s Day and July 4th being particularly special. These events were times for the family to come together, share stories and create lasting memories. Bill recalls the hardest moments on the ranch, notably the deaths of his grandfather Ote in a car crash and his father Junior. These losses were not just personal but also represented a loss of knowledge and family history.

Chuck fondly remembers visiting his Uncle Kay, who was known for riding rough stock and always having colorful boots that Chuck admired. Junior took only one vacation, a brief week to 10 days, to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days. This annual event was a highlight, filled with cherished memories and a sense of tradition.

Hunting season was another significant time for the Perry family, bringing with it the best stories shared around the campfire. These gatherings were so engaging that even elk seemed drawn to listen. Chuck often remarked, with a touch of humor, that his brother and father faced more danger from fellow hunters during these seasons than he ever did during his service in Vietnam.

Reflecting on the history of the ranch, Bill notes that agriculture is unique and special because it fosters a strong sense of community, where everyone genuinely tries to help one another. However, Chuck expresses concern about the future of their way of life. The overall decline of agriculture in the United States weighs heavily on his mind, casting uncertainty on the future of the Perry ranch.

Tim Bedell is a member of 4-H.