History

The most colorful man in the history of Callicotte Ranch was one of its former owners, William Riley Callicotte. Mr. W.R. Callicotte relocated to Carbondale, Colorado from Kentucky in the late 1800’s.

A Civil War veteran, W.R. held many professional positions during his life and was considered a great, noble man. Originally a teacher in Leadville and Aspen, W.R. later owned a fish hatchery, became an insurance man, and then a land surveyor (which might explain the pure majesty of the Callicotte Ranch). Having aspirations for further public service, W.R. was the State Commissioner and Game Warden in 1893-1896, later became a lobbyist, and once even ran for the U.S. Senate.

W.R., his wife, and five children spent much time traveling between Aspen and Denver since they were given free passage by William’s brothers who were engineers on the Colorado railroads. William started the State Humane Society for Children and Animals, and taught related classes in Greeley, Colorado. The demise of W.R. Callicotte was just as interesting as his life.  He emerged from the Capital building in Denver and saw a runaway, driverless car, heading towards two teenage girls.  So W.R. jumped to his death attempting to push them from its path.  Unfortunately, he was decapitated in the process. 
> To learn more about this incident, Click Here  

The 173-acre ranch remained in the family through the 1900’s and was used primarily by his son Jesse who was the first one to actually work the land, and later as a family campground and retreat. 
> To learn more about both sides of this remarkable family, Click Here

Only recently, it was sold ‘out of the family’. In June of 2007, the ranch was purchased by Bush Development, the name reverted back to “Callicotte Ranch” and final measures were taken to develop the ranch into 28 remarkable home sites. Today, homeowners can enjoy not only the natural splendor, but the legend that is now Callicotte Ranch.