Legitimate ranches in Grand County — even most dude ranches — remain threatened by the future and present prospect of development, the rate of inflation and price of commodities. The challenges are stacked high against a long-standing livelihood once the pillar of existence in the high country. Ranches no longer can stand on their own when taxes, insurance, fuel costs, energy costs, veterinary costs, production costs, and costs to build and maintain ditches and reservoirs — to name a few — are factored in. Continued loss of ranching is an unraveling seam in terms of conservation of land and water in Grand County. In facing pressures from development, today's ranchers and environmental conservationists stand shoulder-to-shoulder, where before they were locked in conflict over grazing issues and water use. 

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