An Oral History of Ranch Women in Gunnison County, 1965-Present
By Ashley Ohara
On Colorado’s Western Slope, particularly in Gunnison County, ranching has been the backbone of both the landscape and those who work it. Since the 1860s, the cattle industry in this region has relied on open-range systems, with livestock migrating seasonally across high-mountain grasslands and valleys. The familiar story—rugged men taming the frontier—has long dominated the lore of the American West. But, history is more complicated than that. Women weren’t just there; they were essential, sustaining ranching communities and shaping the industry in ways that often went unrecognized. Without them, the story of the West is incomplete.
Learn more from the full virtual exhibit that Ashley Ohara put together, including oral histories from many of the valley’s Ranching Women.