Every position is important at the Ranch.

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Thank you for your interest in working at Colorado Trails Ranch! Below is a list of the positions we typically hire each year. We may also have some immediate positions open for off-peak time, so shoot us an email at employment@coloradotrails.com to learn more.

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All staff members are expected to have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, flexibility in job roles and desire to grow during their tenure at CTR.

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Executive Chef 

The ideal candidate for our executive chef will model servant leadership, professional presentation and a strong background in the culinary field. The Executive Chef is responsible for the daily management of all kitchen food service operations including menu planning and development, ordering, food preparation, kitchen cleanliness and staff management and scheduling. The Executive Chef is also responsible for compliance with federal, state and county health regulations. Other duties may included and are not limited to: management of all food production, developing and monitoring food and labor budget, monitoring equipment and repairs and daily collaboration with culinary crew on maintaining a positive and ever learning work environment. The Executive Chef is a leadership role amongst staff and guests and will often be the evening manager on duty. Must have the ability to work in a standing position for 10 hours per day and ability to lift 50 lbs. overhead. Must have a valid driver's license with clean driving record.

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Guest Services Agent: Office & Reservations

The ranch guest services agent will perform office duties, assist in coordinating guest activities and staff the trading post.  We are looking for an individual that is well organized with strong customer service, telephone and computer skills. Office duties include but are not limited to: answering calls and responding to reservation requests, computer work, filing and keeping the office neat and clean.  Interpersonal skills are important when working with guests for participation in ranch programs. This individual will also be called upon to participate in certain ranch programs such as cookouts, hayrides, etc. Food and beverage experience is helpful. Other duties will included several evening shifts a week to manage dinner services. This is a support position to the ranch’s general manager. Flexibility is a must as is the willingness to jump in wherever needed. Must have a valid driver’s license, with a clean driving record, to help transport guests in ranch vehicles. Must feel comfortable driving a 15 passenger van. Applicant must be at least 21 years old to be able to drive our passenger vans.

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Kitchen Positions: Kitchen Assistant

The kitchen assistants are responsible for helping the chef with food preparation and storage as well as the washing and storage of pots, pans, china, flatware, and all kitchen utensils. The kitchen assistants are also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the dishwashing area as well as other areas of the kitchen, all garbage removal from the kitchen, and cleaning the kitchen floor at the end of the day. The kitchen assistants have a unique opportunity to expand their skills in the culinary field under our Executive Chef.

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Operations: Housekeeping & Waitstaff

Operations staff will work as housekeeping and wait staff in addition to helping run the Trading Post (ranch gift shop and soda fountain). Staff members who are hired as operations will perform all three duties over the course of a week on a rotating basis. We have found that our employees enjoy the chance to learn the different skills associated with each department and the chance to work with different co-workers. We count on staff in all of these areas to be detail oriented and to insure overall superior service and hospitality to our ranch guests.

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Housekeeping responsibilities include the cleaning of guest cabins and common areas of the ranch – changing towels, making & changing beds, cleaning bathrooms, taking out trash, vacuuming, washing windows, dusting, and various other cleaning related activities. Housekeepers may also be asked to help with dinner dishes.

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Wait staff duties include, but are not limited to, serving food to guests and staff in our dining room or at cookouts, cleaning of dining room and deck, stocking server’s refrigerator, cleaning server’s areas of the kitchen, and packing for cookouts.

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Trading Post duties include but are not necessarily limited to, maintaining a food service level of cleanliness, stocking and organizing of both the Trading Post and Soda Fountain areas, preparing and serving ice cream, milkshakes and sodas in the Soda Fountain, insuring the Trading Post is covered for the hours it is open and maintaining superior customer service and a friendly, “western hospitality” attitude towards guests.

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Kid's Counselor/Wrangler

We offer comprehensive children’s/teen’s program for ages 5 through 17. The program is divided into three age groups, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-17. Counselors must have a high level of energy, lots of enthusiasm and creativity, and a great deal of responsibility. This is a very demanding job and we expect you to keep your group entertained. Strong horsemanship skills are necessary, as you will be leading your group on trail rides. You must also be able to accompany your group through a range of activities to include fishing, hiking, archery, riflery, swimming, power tubing, rafting, etc. This is a very physical position and requires long hours and lots of dedication plus a natural enjoyment of working with children & teens. Counselors must be mature and assume a leadership/role model position. Counselors will be expected to drive the kids to various activities and must be at least 21 years old with a clean driving record; current CPR certification and first aid card is required, and classes with be offered at Colorado Trails. We request a short video demonstrating riding abilities from all counselor applicants. We ask to see you catching, grooming, bridling and saddling, mounting, riding at a walk, jog, lope and stopping, dismounting and untacking a horse.

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Wrangler

Wranglers’ responsibilities include grooming, saddling, bridling, cleaning stalls and barn area, leading guest rides, providing instruction to guests in accordance with our riding program, feeding, and basic health care of animals. Applicants must be safety conscious, have excellent communications and interpersonal skills as well as a willingness to perform other duties as assigned from moving hay to building fence and maintenance around the ranch. Wranglers must have extensive horse experience and knowledge in order to lead trail rides and care for our herd of 80 horses. Our horse program is one of the best in the dude ranch industry. Applicants for this position must be willing to accept and support our horse program. We will teach you our program and how we want you to instruct our guests. We know that our methods of handling horses are not the only way, but our horses are used to them. This is an extremely physical job requiring long hours. We are looking for individuals with knowledge, enthusiasm, lots of energy, and the desire to work hard and be part of our team. Wranglers may also be asked to drive guests to various events and evening activities and must be at least 21 years old with a clean driving record; current CPR certification and first aid card. CPR classes will be offered at Colorado Trails. We request a short video demonstrating riding abilities from all wrangler applicants. We ask to see you catching, grooming, bridling and saddling, mounting, riding at a walk, jog, lope and stopping, dismounting and untacking a horse.

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Maintenance

A Maintenance staff member's responsibilities include carpentry, plumbing, electrical, vehicle and general ranch operations. Ability to be flexible and act immediately as circumstances arise. Other duties include but are not limited to: transporting guests to and from the airport and other offsite activities (must have a valid drivers license and clean driving record), swimming pool and grounds maitenance, cutting firewood, building and repairing fences, building cookout fires, cleaning ranch vehicles and painting. Additional duties may include leading hiking trip and other guest related activities. Candidate must be physically able to lift heavy items and withstand a physically challenging role.
 

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*Staff Driving Requirements

We rely on many of our staff members to transport guests to various activities, the airport, and town. These individuals must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Please do not apply for maintenance, wrangler, counselor, or fishing guide positions unless you have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.