This Western Colorado ranch has been in the family for 4 generations going on 5. George Volk Sr. homesteaded the ranch in 1907. He was working in Crested Butte in the coal mines at the time. The homestead is at about 7200 feet with a south slope exposure. Several natural springs and ponds are scattered throughout the ranch. About 1914, Grandpa Volk moved his family to the one room roofless cabin he had built on the homestead. Winter was setting in so they put a tent up inside the cabin but an early snow caved the tent in and they had to cut logs and put the roof on.

George Sr raised potatoes, grain, and other truck garden vegetables. They milked cows and sold cream. Starting with 2 milk cows he built a function commercial Hereford herd.

His son George Volk Jr. worked with him on the ranch as he was growing up. George Jr. bought his first land adjoining the family ranch when he was 14. He married and continued working the ranch after his father retired.

Gary George Volk, son of George Jr. grew up on the ranch and helped with the garden and milkings cows the same as his father. This father-son team bred all breeds of cattle to find an efficient, easy calving; good quality cattle with cut ability for the meat industry.

Of all the breeds, the Salers come the closest. Currently the ranch runs 450 head of registered Salers. The ranch is being preserved for future generations to work and enjoy as our forefathers did.