Nearly 100 years in the making...

Coulter Lake has a rich history that helps make your ranch experience with us, all the more memorable.

And so the story goes...

Oscar V. Coulter built the Coulter Lake Ranch in 1912 under an easement issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Oscar Coulter came to Rifle, Colorado in the late summer of 1897 and purchased a woodworking shop, eventually settling in 1901 in Rifle Creek by the Gap. Coulter Mesa is named after this family.

Coulter built a private recreation area where the ranch is now located for his pleasure and his family’s enjoyment. A lake was added in 1903 to 1905 as a reservoir for the Coulter’s private property, also under a USDA easement. It was supplied with water from a ditch and stocked with fish. In 1932 the Coulters opened the ranch as a private resort after being urged by family and friends. The Adolph Coors family vacationed at the ranch during the 1930s.

Oscar Coulter (front row, 2nd from left), his wife Carrie (front row 2nd from right), and their extended family. Back row from left: Guy, Harold, Otto, Ray, Claud. Front row: Orra (left), Ted (middle), Rose (right)

During the mid to late 1800’s the central portion of Colorado became the center of a gold rush. As prospectors and settlers came to mine and homestead the territory, towns and later railroads followed. The mining and railroad industries took a heavy toll on Colorado timberland, along with the buildings of homes, outbuildings, and the local infrastructure of roads, bridges, and irrigation. By the middle of the 19th century many areas of Colorado had been stripped bare of trees.

In 1891, in order to conserve the timber assets of the country, tracts of public lands were designated as National Timber Reserves. More than 23,000 acres in what is now the Coulter Mesa area were placed in this reserve known as the White River Plateau Land & Timber reserve. In 1905 these forests became the National Forests under the control of the USDA. It was near this timber reserve that Oscar Coulter settled in the late 19th century.

The southern portion of today’s lodge was built in 1930 with the final addition added in 1947. Brookview cabin was constructed in 1932 as part of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and moved to Coulter Lake around 1938. Lakeside cabin was built in 1938. These cabins and the lodge hosted the Adolph Coors family and other early guests.

The Hilltop and Woodland cabins were built in the 40’s as was the “hydro” shed. The Forest Haven cabin was built in 1947 on the site of the original cow-camp barn. As the original barn was removed, the current barn was then built between ’47 and ’48. Topnotch was built in 1953 followed by the Hilton.

Although owners through the years have changed, from the Coulters, to the Andersons, Benzingers, Don Hock, and now Jack and Pam Allard. It's our pleasure to carrying on the tradition that is the Coulter Lake Guest Ranch.