Yampa Valley: More than a resort mecca

In today's tough agricultural markets, Greg Brown is looking for a profit in sheep's clothing. With the help of C.J. Mucklow, Colorado State University Extension director in Routt County, he might get it.

Brown is one of a handful of wool producers working on Routt County Woolens, a program that helps wool producers benefit from changes in the county that otherwise might compromise their way of life. Increasing tourism and the ski industry have led to high property taxes and disappearing agricultural land in Routt County. Those factors, coupled with a sluggish agricultural market, make it difficult for ranchers in the area to survive. By capitalizing on unique Consumer markets created by those changes, Routt County agriculturists are turning the tables.

"I wanted to see my wool go into something I can identify with," said Brown, who raises about 130 ewes. Through Routt County Woolens, he and a handful of other wool producers in the area send 6,000 pounds of raw wool to a mill in Minnesota that produces high quality, unique blankets. Since 1997, after Mucklow helped design and test the project, about 650 blankets have been sold through the project each year.

The raw wool is among the highest quality available in the west, and the blankets are a unique item that represents the Steamboat Springs area. Locals and tourists covet the blankets as special possessions. The blankets have increased revenue for producers involved in the project – so much so that wool producers in other states are looking at this project as a model, said Mucklow.

In addition to Routt County Woolens, area ranchers are beginning to profit from another inventive program --Yampa Valley Beef. A ranchers' program that markets locally raised beef to area restaurants and residents, Yampa Valley Beef is expected to boost participating ranchers' profits and keep ranching viable. In addition, a portion of the profits from Yampa Valley Beef are donated to a local land trust that preserves and protects open space.

"There's great concern here in Routt County that, for as much love as we have for open lands, we won't be able to have open space unless agriculture is viable," said Arianthe Stettner, Steamboat Springs City Council member and a Yampa Valley Beef customer. "And to keep agriculture viable, there has to be an awareness and appreciation of local agriculture and value-added markets. The community has to have long-term support of agriculture. We've got some of the best agricultural land in the United States.

"Yampa Valley Beef is a great example of the one-dollar effect in the community," said Stettner. "Because of the program, ranchers are able to sell their product locally at a higher price and the local meat locker processes the meat, adding more money to the area economy."

When Yampa Valley Beef became available in December, 15-pound packages designed for "city slickers," large bundles for restaurants and 30-pound "rancher" bundles were delivered to customers. Many bundles also were shipped out of Routt County as Christmas gifts, or given by businesses to clients.

Mucklow's efforts, said Stettner, have brought people together to successfully work on these two programs and preserve the agricultural lifestyle in Routt County, and that has garnered support from county commissioners, the city council, and the chamber of commerce and economic development council in Steamboat Springs.

Partners in Routt County Woolens and Yampa Valley Beef: Routt County commissioners, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Routt County Wool Pool, Colorado Woolgrowers, City of Steamboat Springs, Routt County Cattlemens Association, Routt County Cattlewomens Association, The Nature Conservancy, Steamboat Springs Chamber and Economic Development Council.

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

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