OUR STORY
Family-Owned Business
The Knott Ranch is nestled under the Flat Tops of Oak Creek, Colorado. We are five generations of stewarding the land and producing wholesome, safe, and nutritious lamb and beef while still providing critical wildlife habitat and healthy rivers.
We strive for both sustainability in managing our natural resources to provide reliable products year after year and resiliency in being able to adapt to both changing economic and ecological conditions. Our ranch has been in our family for over 85 years. We are looking towards becoming a Centennial Ranch.
The livestock are born, raised, and cared for in South Routt County at the headwaters of Trout Creek in the Yampa River Basin, providing the consumer with a truly locally sourced meat. We have been selling lamb and beef direct for years. Now fully established with USDA labeling, you can feel secure knowing our products are butchered and processed locally. Our animals are raised with love and respect, and we enjoy providing healthy and wholesome products.
We get great satisfaction from getting to know our customers and listening to their ideas on how we can continue to improve our products. We’d love to hear from you.
ABOUT KNOTT RANCH
The Knott Ranch began as a sheep ranch in 1936, when Courtney Ives purchased what is now known as our Home Place. Before the development of the Steamboat Ski Resort our sheep grazed on Mt. Werner each summer, then known as Storm Mountain. Since that time we have expanded and diversified our operations including enterprises such as cow/calf, yearling cattle, bred heifers, sheep, and recreation activities like hunting and fishing.
The Knott Ranch prioritizes comprehensive natural resource management for the benefit of the wildlife, livestock, ecology, and local community. Nearly 2000 acres of the ranch have been protected through a conservation easement held with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust. The fifth generation is now growing up with a connection to this land and the ranching way of life.
Fourth generation rancher Tyler Knott not only runs the business side of the ranch, but is also responsible for the daily operations. With a B.S. in Rangeland Ecology & Watershed Management from University of Wyoming, this cowboy is a true environmentalist. His wife, Megan, joins him with Masters in both Environmental Management and Forestry from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. She has been with the Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust since 2008 and currently serves as their Director of Stewardship. They both value community service having served on the boards of Routt County Cattleman’s Association, Routt County Farm Bureau, Routt County Weed Board, The Community Agricultural Alliance, and the Routt County 4-H Foundation.
Tyler and Megan make their home on the ranch with their two children, Ella and Collin. “In 2036, we want to see this property become a Centennial Ranch. We want to raise the fifth generation on this ranch and give them the opportunity to connect a sense of self with a sense of place,” says Tyler. Ella and Collin particularly love the sheep flock. Not as large and intimidating as cattle, the kids can help with all aspects of flock management, from lambing to herding. They are learning about responsibility with chores, empathy with love, and are getting an education in nature most children can only dream about.
PASTURE RAISED,
HORMONE FREE
The cattle and sheep graze mountain pastures from June through November until snow requires they be fed native grass hay produced on the ranch. During the summer months, our livestock have free range in large mountain pastures ranging from 100 to 1,200 acres in size. The lush feed of brome and timothy grasses produce phenomenal rates of gain. The animals are checked regularly by horseback during which the pasture conditions and grazing pressure is carefully monitored. The ranch uses a modified deferred-rotational grazing system. The goal is to keep the animals on fresh forage and clean water while leaving sufficient residual feed to sustain wildlife and hold the snowpack through the winter. Pasture rotation and resting occurs to ensure plants mature to seed production at least once every three years.
Our animals are never given hormones or antibiotics to enhance growth. Quality control is paramount and animals are individually identified to ensure traceability and health. Everything is pasture bred.
A healthy ecosystem is critical to us so that we can continue to produce a rich, wholesome protein for your enjoyment!