LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, CO – During the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association 2025 Mid-Winter Conference in January, The Plainsman Herald sat down with Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Southeast Colorado and Libby Bigler, Colorado Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Coordinator at Colorado State University. Their conversation highlighted the deep commitment of both Colorado State University and the state’s modern ranchers to sustainability.

 “I play a critical role in assisting beef producers throughout the state in building consumer confidence in Colorado beef through training and certification,” Bigler explained, emphasizing the importance of BQA standards in responsible ranching. Wooten nodded in agreement, adding that for ranchers like himself, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a way of life.  That conversation led to the Herald digging in a little deeper to understand the direction modern ranching is heading.

A Legacy of Stewardship

For nearly a century, Beatty Canyon Ranch has embodied responsible land and livestock management. Founded in 1929 by Wooten’s great-grandfather, the ranch was originally named “Redlands” before becoming the Beatty Canyon Ranch known today.

Through droughts, market shifts, and changing land use policies, the Wooten & Burnham family has remained steadfast in its commitment to conservation and sustainability. Today, the ranch is co-managed by Steve and Joy Wooten, their daughter Arin Burnham and Brady Burnham, making it a multi-generational operation with a clear focus on the future.

Wooten’s philosophy is simple: “Everything that we do here is about taking care of the resource first.”

A Commitment to Sustainability

Wooten often talks about how sustainability isn’t just about keeping a ranch running—it’s about ensuring that future generations can thrive.

One of the biggest shifts in Beatty Canyon Ranch’s management came in the 1990s, when the family introduced a rotational grazing system. Dividing the land into 36 pastures, they adopted grazing techniques that allow the land to rest and recover, resulting in healthier grass, better soil, and stronger cattle.

The ranch also actively removes invasive species like juniper and tamarisk to restore native grasslands. “It’s amazing to see the land’s recovery after you clear the pasture and how much you gain back,” Wooten said.

In addition to land conservation, cattle health and welfare play a key role in sustainability. The BQA program, which Bigler promotes statewide, is an important part of the ranch’s management. “We’ve made a personal commitment to gentle cattle, true stockmanship, and stewardship,” Wooten explained.

Beatty Canyon Ranch operates as a low-cost, high-efficiency cow-calf operation, focusing on raising cattle that can thrive without excessive supplementation. The Wootens rely on Red Angus genetics, a breed known for efficiency, resilience, and maternal traits.

“We like to say we’re grass farmers, and our cattle are the harvesters,” Wooten added.

Recognition and Leadership

Wooten’s commitment to sustainability and conservation has earned Beatty Canyon Ranch national recognition. In 2018, the ranch received the Colorado Leopold Conservation Award, honoring their exceptional land management practices. In 2020, they were named the national winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award, a top honor in the ranching industry.

This year, Wooten was honored as the 2024 Livestock Leader by Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences, recognizing his leadership in sustainable ranching.

Beyond their ranch, the Wootens are actively involved in industry leadership. Steve Wooten served as Chairman of the United States Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB), where he worked to set sustainability goals for the beef industry nationwide. He also participates in soil conservation districts, university research collaborations, and educational programs aimed at helping other ranchers implement best practices.

Diversification and the Future

Another key to Beatty Canyon Ranch’s long-term sustainability is diversification. Recognizing the importance of additional revenue streams, the Wootens have developed:

• A hunting enterprise (since 1990), offering guided hunts that promote wildlife conservation and generate income.
• Stone sales from the ranch’s natural rock formations.
• Agritourism, attracting visitors interested in sustainable ranching.

One of the biggest challenges in ranching today is ensuring that younger generations can continue in the industry. Unlike many family operations that struggle with succession planning, the Wootens have built a clear transition strategy, ensuring that Arin and Niki, along with their families, are fully prepared to lead the ranch into the future.

“We don’t just want them to take over,” Wooten said. “We want them to innovate, adapt, and make it even better.”

The Road Ahead

As we dug further into the resources related to this story, one quote stood out to the Herald:

“Sustainability isn’t about what we do for ourselves today. It’s about making sure this ranch is still here 100 years from now, and that the land is even healthier than when we started.”

For Beatty Canyon Ranch, that mission is well underway. Beatty Canyon Ranch serves as an inspiring case study in sustainable agriculture. The Wooten family’s commitment to innovation, resource management, community, and their generational legacy make them exceptional leaders in the ranching industry. Their approach demonstrates that environmental stewardship and economic viability are not mutually exclusive, but rather are intertwined in building a resilient and thriving operation. Their methods and commitment, as well as their active involvement with the wider community and industry are worthy of emulation.

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