History of High Wire Ranch

Dave Whittlesey founded High Wire Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 1981 when he purchased his initial herd of bison at the National Western Stock Show Bison Auction in Denver. Since the bison needed a taller fence than the neighbors cattle, he called it High Wire Ranch.

Sue joined the operation in 1985. They raised two children on the ranch, Seth and Kelly. In 1999 they sold the Steamboat Springs ranch and moved the entire operation to Redlands Mesa, ten miles northwest of Hotchkiss, Colorado.

November 2019 Sue was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Hotchkiss Community Chamber of Commerce for her tireless efforts volunteering to make Hotchkiss a better place to live.

Dave and Sue have been active board members of the American Buffalo Association, Colorado Elk and Game Breeders Association, Elk Research Council, and North American Elk Breeders Association. Currently they are focusing on volunteering for local causes. Dave serves on the board of directors of North Fork Water Conservancy District, Delta County Farm and Livestock Bureau, Redlands Mesa Water Users, and Memorial Hall. Sue serves on the following boards: North Fork Ambulance Auxiliary, Delta County Public Library District, Delta County Public Library Trust and Endowment, and Rogers Mesa Modern Woman's Club.

They both are very active volunteers in the Hotchkiss Lions Club where Dave is the Tail Twister and Sue the Secretary.

Dave's other passion is Studebaker cars and trucks. They are both very active in the numerous local antique/hotrod car clubs along with the local Studebaker Car Club.

Learn more about Hotchkiss Area

Here are some useful links to the area

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you ship your meat. No, due to the complex nationwide sales tax requirements, we no longer offer shipping.
Are your Bison fed any corn or other grains? No, never. We just feed pasture grasses and harvested hay from our ranch.
Is your meat dry aged? Yes.
Do you flash freeze your meat? No.
Do you add preservatives or MSG to your meats? No.
Do you sell fresh, never frozen, meat at the ranch? No.
Do you sell meat at the Ranch? Yes, by appointment only. We do NOT offer shipping at this time.
Do you accept credit cards? Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and AMEX.
How do I get your meat? It is available at the Ranch by appointment only and see other locations at "Where To Find Our Meat" at the bottom of this page.
Where is your meat processed? Our bison are processed at a small USDA facility 40 miles away from the Ranch in Montrose, Colorado.
Do you give tours of the ranch? Yes and there is no charge. We give tours by appointment only, so please phone (970) 835-7600 in advance to schedule a time.

Bison Recipes

Slow Cooking Cuts

(Such as Short Ribs, Osso Bucco, Brisket or Chuck Roasts)

Cook in either a slow cooker on low or a cast iron covered pot in oven at 250 degrees for a minimum of 4 hours. Before cooking add an inch of liquid to the container, such as Red Wine, water, or broth. Season with garlic, chopped onions and your other favorite seasonings. Vegetables may be added at the last hour.

Steaks

Baste steak with olive oil and one clove of crushed garlic. Place steak on either a hot frying pan or a hot grill. Grill quickly. One-inch steaks cook 3 minutes first side, 2 minutes second. Steaks that are 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches increase cooking time by 2 minutes per side.

Pot Roast

Heat oil in a heavy oven proof pan and sear roast on all sides. Add cubed vegetables. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes per pound of meat. Cook to an internal temperature of 130 degrees.

Where to find our Meat

Farm Runners

Rogers Mesa Store

Farm Runners offers delivery to restaurants in Crested Butte and the Roaring Fork Valley with online ordering. They have a retail store in Hotchkiss located next to City Market that is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Rogers Mesa Store

Rogers Mesa Store is located 3 miles west of Hotchkiss on Highway 92. They offer a nice selection of frozen bison meat for sale and will cook you up a bison burger for lunch. They are open 7 days a week.

The Lobby Grille

Montrose's best dining option, The Lobby Grille is located in Montrose Memorial Hospital. The menu features local foods and offers online ordering for pick up.

Rick's at 145

The Lobby Grille

In the Heart of Downtown Cedaredge is Rick's at 145. They feature more than 20 different local vendors, including a full line of High Wire Ranch Bison Meat. They are open 10-5 daily at 145 Main St.