Work & Play in the Colorado Rockies

Rio Blanco Ranch

Currently recruiting for the season from June 1st, 2024 to October 1st, 2024.

Rio Blanco Ranch is a private guest ranch and fishing lodge founded in the 1920's located in the Flat Top Mountains and completely surrounded by the White River National Forest.

Our lodge is located in the Flat Tops Wilderness, 50 Miles outside of Meeker, Colorado.

Location
Colorado
Season
Summer and Fall
Staff size
20
Housing
Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
Housing details
Each employee gets their own room, shared living area, shared bathroom with one other employee
Meals
Provided
Cell phone service
None
Internet access
Good

About Rio Blanco Ranch

The Ranch is not open to the public; it is privately owned by about 20 shareholders, who each come during the summer, bringing their own family and friends.

We have a maximum capacity of about 35 guests who come for fishing, horseback riding, sporting clay shooting, mountain biking, hiking, and all around mountain vacation experience.

The Employee Experience

RBR has an over 50% employee return rate. Staff keep returning year after year as they gain a sense of investment in the Ranch and its culture.  Each department head has been with RBR for at least 5 years and the General Manager has been with the Ranch for 23 years.  RBR has changed a lot of people's lifestyles, interests and relationships. 

Being as private as we are, very few people get to experience the Rio Blanco Ranch lifestyle. We are a unique property, and given that from June to October our staff lives, eats, works, and plays as a team, many great, life-long personal and professional relationships are made.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate would be someone excited to live in a group environment, has an open schedule from June 1 through October 1, and loves the outdoors and everything it has to offer. 

Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

Serious inquiries only, a we get a lot of applications from a lot of interested candidates throughout the country.  Before applying, please make sure this is something you are serious about and expect correspondence via video chat.  If you are selected for an interview, please be available to discuss employment opportunities.  After two attempts with no response, application will be declined.

Room and Board

You will live in one of the three dorms on the ranch and have your own room. Bathrooms are shared. The dorms are furnished, including linens but please feel free to bring with you anything that will make your room feel more like home. There are free laundry facilities and a downstairs living area with satellite TV, wifi internet and basic kitchens. The dorms also share an outdoor fire pit.

All of your meals are provided by the Ranch and will be prepared by the Ranch chefs. Our chefs are very busy providing the best possible experience for our guests, and also take great pride in their employee meals.  Therefore, special diets and restrictions are hard to accommodate. There are set hours for employee meals. On Saturday nights, guests and staff all eat together at the picnic.

Employee Perks

We are very competitive in our salaries. We expect the best from our staff and compensate appropriately. Generous year-end bonuses, tips, and seasonal raises are given to those who make it clear they are here for the team, and for whom the team could not do without.

On your time off you can enjoy our gold water fishing, our first-class equestrian program, miles and miles of beautiful trails, nearby summer music festivals, and all the fun that Colorado has to offer.

Getting Here and Getting Around

You are encouraged to bring your own vehicle to the Ranch. Keep in mind the Ranch is remotely located, and having use of your own vehicle is necessary.  Please be aware that all of the roads leading to the ranch are dirt roads with washboard areas; these roads can be tough on vehicles.

For Fun

During your time off, you will be able to take advantage of our wilderness setting. There are lots of hiking trails and spots for camping, and plenty of water for fishing. You will also be able to ride the ranch horses, and hunting is always an opportunity in the fall. With a little driving, you can also go caving, rafting, or tubing.

Current Job Openings

    Corral

    Corral

    Wrangler

    $2,800.00 / month + tips

    The RBR horse program has 20 well trained dude ranch style horses. The wrangler applicant must have some western style horse experience and a passion for the lifestyle.  The position entails horse care, trail rides and western style riding lessons. RBR takes great pride in training it's wranglers to follow a high standard of horsemanship and professionalism that has been fine tuned over the years.

    Apply Now

    Food and Beverage

    Food and Beverage

    Cook

    $3,000.00 / month + tips

    RBR is looking for experienced cooks well versed in ranch-style fine dining cuisine.  This position will be one of three cooks on the team.  Currently we have a head chef that has been with us for several years that will be the kitchen supervisor.  This position sometimes requires long days, but can be a very rewarding culinary experience.  There is a lot of freedom to experiment with new dishes, ideas and technique.  While in this position all cooks/chefs will be providing all guest and employee breakfast, lunch and dinners.  This position is a swing shift breakfast service, dinner service with the afternoons free to enjoy the Ranch and surrounding areas.

    Apply Now
    Food and Beverage

    Dishwasher

    $3,000.00 / month

    RBR is looking for an entry level kitchen staff member.  This position would be ideal for candidates that are looking to get into a kitchen environment.  Duties of the dishwasher are breakfast shift from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm with afternoons off and returning to the kitchen at 5:30 pm to 9 pm.  When dish cleaning duties are not busy, some food prep to assist the chefs will be required.

    Apply Now
    Food and Beverage

    Server

    $3,000.00 / month + tips

    This position requires highly motivated, personable and professional applicants.  This is a fine dining banquet style service, breakfast and dinner.  The server schedule is from 7 am to 12:30 pm with afternoons off and returning at 5:30 pm to 9 pm.  This position also requires a fair amount of baking (cookies, muffins, etc)  Experience in baking is beneficial but not necessary as training will be provided.  This schedule offers plenty of outdoor off time to enjoy what the Ranch and the surrounding areas have to offer.

    Apply Now

    Housekeeping

    Housekeeping

    Housekeeper

    $3,000.00 / month + tips

    In the housekeeping position, we are looking for highly energetic and detail oriented applicants that take pride in a job well done. In the housekeeping department, daily schedules are typically more relaxed than other positions on the Ranch.  This gives housekeeping employees plenty of off time for enjoying what the Ranch and surrounding areas have to offer.

    Apply Now

How to Apply

Please click APPLY HERE to complete our online job application. Applicants who attach their resume (within the application) will be screened first.

Our season runs from June 1st to October 1st.  Please only apply if you can stay the whole season.  We do receive many applications.  

Apply Now

Contact Info

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