Elbert County Birding and Historic Farm Tour (Co-sponsored trip with DFO)

We'll bird in the pine forest and open country near Elizabeth looking for bluebirds, woodpeckers, nuthatches, kingbirds (possible Cassin's) and more. Then we will visit the Duke family's Fire Rock Ranch with a historic barn. The ranch is 80 acres surrounded by another 1000-acre ranch. The historic barn was originally built in the mid-1880s.  It was used to raise cattle and freight horses used to transport supplies to the miners in Central City. In the 20th century the ranch was used for a dairy, beef and hay operation. After the 1940s many of the dilapidated buildings and old corrals were removed, but the barn, spring house and scales were preserved.

Ben and Laurie Duke bought the ranch in 1987. The barn was in good shape, but the Dukes have invested care and maintenance over the years to ensure its stability and long-term preservation.  The original barn was a post and beam structure, that had a loft, and a tie stall area for draft horses. The nails were the square variety which are still visible today along with the hand-hewn beams. The loft area was expanded to store loose hay. The pulleys and blocks are visible in the rafters for operating the loading system. Today, the barn still functions as a working facility for the ranch.The barn is an excellent example of a 19 century farm structure and most important, a reminder of Colorado’s rich agricultural heritage.  Animals at the ranch include horses, steer and chickens, and the Duke's have recorded a long list of wild bird species at the ranch over the years.

This trip is led by David Suddjian and Laurie Duke. 

Meeting spot: Meet at Lowe's in Castle Rock near the outlet stores. I-25 south, exit at Founders/Meadows Pkwy (exit 184), turn right (west), then right on Santa Fe Dr (Hwy 85), then right on New Beale St. Exact address 1360 New Beale St, Castle Rock, CO 80108

To register for this trip, click here to visit the registration page on DFO's website. Please note you will need to create an account on the DFO website to register for the trip.