Hayden Ranch Headquarters
Lake County
The building complex is an intact example of an early high country agricultural operation. Noted for the cattle that supplied the area miners with beef, hay and grain were also cultivated on the ranch.
Hayden Ranch Headquarters (1999 photograph.)
The multiple agricultural buildings accurately reflect the specialized function of each building during its operation from 1872–1947 and demonstrate the historic types and methods of construction associated with high country farming and ranching.
Colorado Mountain College purchased the ranch from Colorado Preservation, Inc., in 2008 for use as a laboratory, woodworking shop, and classroom space for students in its historic preservation trades program. CPI purchased the property from the City of Aurora in 2005 after the city originally acquired the ranch and surrounding property in 1998 to obtain water rights. The State Historical Fund provided grants of over $240,000 to assist in planning, stabilization and interpretive work.