Prairie Restoration in the American West

The Back 40: Exploring Sedalia, CO

We’re not going too far outside Denver in this week’s Back 40, but that’s part of the appeal of Sedalia, Colorado, a small foothills community that serves as a gateway to everything the Front Range has to offer. From gold medal fly fishing on the South Platte to horseback riding through Pike National Forest, Haley and Willy discuss why this unique corridor between Sedalia and Deckers remains one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. With sweeping views, abundant wildlife, authentic ranch country, and easy access to Denver, it’s a place that perfectly balances recreation, privacy, and mountain living.  Chapters [0:00] This week’s town: Sedalia, CO [0:53] Getting to know Sedalia, CO [2:57] What Makes Sedalia Unique? [4:39] Recreation in Sedalia [8:00] Living in Sedalia [9:40] Ranching in Sedalia [11:22] Mirr Properties Near Sedalia [16:29] Who Would Thrive in Sedalia? [20:45] Sedalia’s Hidden Gems [23:14] See You in Sedalia! Links Liberty Ranch [https://www.mirrranchgroup.com/ranches/liberty-ranch/] About Willy [https://www.mirrranchgroup.com/agents/willy-strazza/] Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us:  Mirr Ranch Group 901 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (303) 623-4545 https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

The Wild Side of Wyoming

This week, we’re welcoming a new broker to the crew: Davis LaMair! Growing up in Colorado and spending the last decade guiding anglers across the rivers of Wyoming and Idaho, Davis has built a deep appreciation for the landscapes, wildlife, and stewardship that define the American West. Now, he’s bringing that passion to the Mirr Ranch Group. Davis joins Haley to talk about his background as an outfitter, the lessons he’s learned from life on the water, and what continues to draw people to the wide-open spaces of Wyoming. From a once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt in the Tetons to the importance of educating landowners on stewardship and conservation, Davis shares both the practical experience and evolving philosophy that shape his vision for the future of the West. Chapters [0:00] Introducing Davis LaMair [4:27] Why Wyoming Keeps Calling People Back [8:27] Understanding Wyoming’s Wild Bison Hunt Lottery [13:04] Davis’ Once-in-a-Lifetime Bison Hunt Story [17:20] The History & Emotion Behind Hunting Wild Bison [20:20] Modern Stewardship, Soil Health & Conservation [25:05] Hope for the Future of Ranching & the West [27:19] Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts Links More About Davis [https://www.mirrranchgroup.com/agents/davis-lamair/] Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us:  Mirr Ranch Group 901 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (303) 623-4545 https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Breaking Down the Right to Wade Debate

Stream and water access has long been a complex issue across the West, particularly in Colorado, and this year, it’s once again at the forefront of conversation. In this episode, we’re joined by former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and former Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow to break down the legal framework behind the right-to-float and right-to-wade debate currently on the table. We walk through the history of the issue, recent developments, and the potential impacts on landowners, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Tune in for a deeper look at what’s at stake for landowners, anglers, and anyone interested in the future of access across the West. Topics [0:00] Intro: Why stream access is back in the spotlight [6:02] The Taylor River conflict and the push for “right to float.” [12:52] How stream access ties directly to ranch value [15:47] Habitat impacts: increased pressure on rivers [19:48] What advocates are actually trying to change [25:43] Could new laws actually threaten floating rights? [31:58] Legal uncertainty and the risk of long-term litigation [34:33] Groups leading education and advocacy efforts [37:24] Closing Thoughts: Why this issue crosses political lines Links CWCA.org  [https://www.cwca.org/] Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us:  Mirr Ranch Group 901 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (303) 623-4545 https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

St. Benedict's Monastery: A Story of Faith, Land, and Legacy

In this very special episode, we’re looking at one of our brokerage’s most unique and meaningful transactions: the sale of St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, CO. Covering over 3,700 acres, this property was about more than just land. It represented a community, spirituality, and decades of stewardship at the hands of the Cistercian monks. Selling it was no small feat. Have you ever needed the pope to approve a ranch sale? In this episode, Haley and Ken unpack the complexities of selling a monastery and what it took to find a buyer who could carry its legacy forward. Topics [0:00] Intro: History of St. Benedict’s Monastery  [5:41] Preparing the property and early challenges [9:15] Why this wasn’t a typical ranch sale [14:36] Identifying the right buyer [20:01] Navigating complexity in the deal [26:53] The people behind the transaction [29:16] The monks’ connection to the land [30:13] Final thoughts: Stewardship and legacy Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us:  Mirr Ranch Group 901 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (303) 623-4545 https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Prairie Restoration in the American West

The shortgrass prairie might not seem as glamorous as our nation’s mountains and forests, but it’s one of the most important ecosystems in the West. This week, Nora Bales joins us to break down what shortgrass prairie actually is, why it’s suffered such debilitating losses, and most importantly - why we should care. We cover what restoration looks like today. From droughts to invasive species, practices like “trait-based” restoration are showing some promising results for the future of our prairies. Tune in to hear what’s working, what’s not, and why research has provided us with a sprout of hope for the resilience of our western landscapes.  Topics [0:00] Introduction: Shortgrass Prairie with Nora Bales [3:10] What Is Shortgrass Prairie and Why Does it Matter? [6:58] Current State of Shortgrass [10:24] Ranching and Restoration [16:18] Biggest Challenges [20:46] Practical Tools for Landowners [24:58] From Research to Real-World [29:15] The Future of Restoration Work [32:20] Why Collaboration Matters Links Dryland Ecology Lab [https://drylandecology.com/] Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us:  Mirr Ranch Group 901 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (303) 623-4545 https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/