The Louden Ranch
... and a plaque will read; " In memory of Richard Louden whose ashes shall forever be part of this land he loved"...
In 1902 R.D. Louden filed a claim in eastern Las Animas County, Co. upon which he never "proved up" but instead wandered through the west for a number of years looking at land in California, Idaho and Montana. He spent a few years back in his native state of Ohio before deciding he wanted to return to the west. In 1910 he returned to Colorado to get a relinquishment of the claim upon which he had never made proof so he could file in Montana. Upon returning, he decided he liked it here, and filed upon 320 acres about ten miles from his original claim, and his mother, a widow, soon joined him to file on an adjacent claim.
He and later generations continued to build the acreage until deeded acres amounted to approximately 25,000 acres and current operations utilize almost as many leased acres. The ranch has always operated as a family unit, supporting three of four families. Two sons and a son-in-law of Dick Louden have been very involved in the ranch, representing third generation operators, when Mr. Louden's mother's association is considered. With two grandsons and a great-grandson now on the ranch it becomes a fifth generation operation.
In order to properly conserve the land for future generations, cow-calf numbers are kept under 700 pairs. Extensive soil conservation work has been carried out to properly water the land and to prevent erosion and insure proper grazing distribution.
Years of living with and working with it has built an enduring attraction to the land and its fascinating features. We love the beauty of the vistas, the mesas, the canyons and the buttes. Over the years we have developed a keen interest in the archaeology and the bits of history of this land on which we live and have become students of its geology and its flora and fauna.
We have had numerous opportunities to sell this ranch for much more than its value as a cattle producing unit, because others, also, can appreciate its potential to provide an idealized way of life with inestimable aesthetic values. It has been our privilege to enjoy a lifestyle that we would like to pass on to future generations of our families.
A third generation member has included in his will that his body be cremated and that his ashes be scattered over the ranch and a plaque be placed on a boulder or cliff stating:
"In memory of Richard Louden whose ashes shall forever be part of this land he loved."
A surrender of this land to the army would mean a disruption in the lives, in varying degrees, to at least twelve families. Four family livelihoods would be eliminated, two retired partners would be somewhat financially affected. All others would suffer the loss of a land of treasured memories and a place to return to foe family reunions ands vacations.
Richard Louden
This site was last updated
06/18/07
by Lori Holdread