A Bar A and its sister ranches have welcomed guests since 1922 and carried on a cattle ranching tradition that dates to the 1880s. Purchased by the Gates family of Denver, CO in the mid-1960s, the Ranches have become an enduring part of the family’s traditions, values, and connection to the West.
Together, the Ranches span more than 100,000 contiguous acres, support nearly 200 horses, and sustainably graze more than 5,000 cattle. Conservation and thoughtful stewardship of the land are integral to ranch operations and to preserving these landscapes for generations to come.
The Howe family has managed A Bar A since 1984, beginning with Bob and Margie Howe, who led the Ranch until 2008, and continuing today with Lissa and Justin Howe. That sense of continuity extends throughout the management team, whose members share a long history with the Ranches, while several members of the full-time staff and leadership team have been part of A Bar A for 15 years years.
A Bar A has grown largely through generations of returning guests and word of mouth. The Ranches do not advertise, pay for promotional listings or awards, or work with travel agents—a longstanding approach that reflects the personal relationships and traditions at the heart of A Bar A.
We create an environment where people can make deep connections with themselves, others, and the land in an authentic western setting.