C Lazy U Ranch

In-Depth Review of C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado - AFAR

"A century-old guest ranch in Granby, Colorado, this property delivers an authentic, family-friendly western experience that balances relaxed luxury with hands-on outdoor programming. Founded in 1919 and centered on a 200-plus working herd of horses, the ranch sits amid access to roughly 8,500 acres (2,600 of which are under conservation easement) and revolves around riding: Ami Cullen, the director of equestrian operations, carefully pairs guests with mounts (the writer’s own mount was a caramel-colored gelding named Duncan) and offers rides, clinics, and private lessons for every skill level. Daily rituals—most famously the twice-daily “jingle,” when wranglers move the herd and guests watch 200-plus horses thunder past at 4 p.m. and 6 a.m.—help forge friendships, while robust kids’ programming gives children independence and parents a chance to relax. Activities range from fly-fishing, guided river excursions, ax throwing, skeet and archery, and a skills course for children to winter offerings, and the property emphasizes comfort and hospitality: 38 spacious, wood-accented rooms and cabins feel homey (welcome baskets, robes, cookies, fresh coffee) and the main lodge—built in 1947 from locally sourced logs—anchors the ranch’s historic character even after a 2021 barn fire and subsequent repairs. Dining is plentiful and elevated under chef Ulises Salas with three hearty meals daily, rotating family-style and buffet dinners and a notable Sunday buffet (seafood, bison rib eye, breads), while sommelier Tony Collier curates a strong wine list and evenings include ice-cream socials and s’mores. Service is attentive and approachable—daily housekeeping, nightly turndown, a new staff-texting option, and long-standing guest loyalty—while wellness offerings include an on-site spa with riverside massage tents and, as of July 2024, an adults-only spa lounge with custom hot tub, cold plunges, and a glass-walled sauna. Practical notes: two accessible cabins, a wheelchair lift to the dining room, golf carts for getting around, and a 250-pound riding weight limit for safety." - Aislyn Greene