While technically we do own the 6,500 acres upon which Devil’s Thumb sits, we’re really only inhabiting it for now. That’s why we maintain a strong commitment to sustainability and preserving our pristine wilderness in every way possible, so the next generation has a chance to enjoy it as much as we do.
Geothermal Heating
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Organic Skin Care Products
In addition to solar panels that supply nearly all of the spa’s electrical needs, we have battery banks to store solar energy so that we can use it when the sun is not shining. We’ve also converted a large portion of our pumps, motors, and outdoor lighting to run on DC power, a more efficient power source to use with solar.
Since implementing our solar program, we’ve supplemented our energy use on-ranch in the following ways:
Our 5 different locations of solar panel arrays have saved 437.68 tons of CO2 saved to date. That amounts to:
2,872,841 km driven 11,222 trees
Our low-flush water fixtures and pressure assist toilets in all guest rooms help to conserve tremendous amounts of water. Our state-of-the-art water treatment system filters, cleans, and recycles wastewater to the Ranch. Our landscaping also embraces native grasses which reduces daily watering.
Custom bathroom amenity washes and lotions with re-fillable pump bottles reduce the small individual bottles. Water bottle filling stations located on every guestroom floor and throughout the lodges and our pledge to reduce plastics on the ranch.
Here at the Ranch, reclaimed building materials are used when possible. The stonework on building exteriors and fireplaces came from Winter Park area landslides and the interior wood paneling is local beetle kill pine. And in the spirit of ‘reduce,’ through digital newspaper subscriptions of the NY Times and Denver Post, we’re reducing daily newspaper consumption.
Our 80 beehives on property work hard cultivating our own honey and our commitment to preserving the land and the ability to grow our own environmental produce. We grow own produce and vegetables used in the Ranch House Restaurant in Kendra’s Garden.
We exclusively use LED lighting throughout the property and leverage ground-source energy to heat and cool all of our buildings. This system uses the earth as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer to greatly increase the efficiency of the system. All of the main buildings utilize a BAS (building automated system) to increase the efficiency of heating/cooling systems and to identify potential energy losses.
In addition to the recycling bins in all guest rooms, and recycling containers on every guestroom floor used by staff and guests, our key cards, gift cards, marketing materials, and menus are printed on post-consumer recycled paper. We reduce plastics usage by using compostable cardboard containers for take-out orders.
All bath towels are made of micro-cotton, which reduces time in the dryer, we change linens and towels every third day, unless requested otherwise, and all cleaning products are organic, natural and biodegradable.
Being a working ranch that spans 6,500 acres, it’s only fitting we raise our own grass-fed cattle. We’re proud of our conscientious approach to sustainable ranching, as it allows us to not only care for our animals with passion and respect, but treats our guests to the freshest, best tasting beef possible.