Welcome TO the
The SLW RANCH Home of Witwer Herefords
Est. 1899, a State of Colorado Centennial Farm, proudly listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Story
A Family Tradition
For more than a century and five generations, our family has been ranching in the heart of the American West. Our love for the land and the animals is what drives us every day.
Witwer Herefords
We take pride in our legacy of raising the finest Hereford cattle, supplying some of the highest quality stock in Colorado.
Natural Grass-Fed Beef
Our cattle are raised on a diet of hardy natural grasses which results in strong, viable stock. Colorado State Land Board awarded the SLW with the Bloom Stewardship Award in 2020 for our conservation efforts on state land leases
A Brief History of the SLW Ranch
Origins
The property was originally named the Crow Creek Ranch, purchased by the David Ogilvy the Ninth Earl Of Airlie. After his death his second son Lyulph Ogilvy built a home and developed an extensive irrigation ditch system in Weld county that still bears his name. In 1889 the property was sold and then deeded to J.M. Studebaker and Lafayette Lamb who leased the property to the Percheron Norman Horse Ranch.
It started with Draft Horses
For the next 10 years the Percheron Norman Horse Ranch was the headquarters for 6 ranches and at over 22,000 acres it was one of the largest horse operations in America and home to more than 2500 brood mares. The advent of automobiles and mechanized tractors saw the end of the draft horse as the main source of power for farmers, ranchers and transportation companies, this created a need to change ranch operations. J.M. Studebaker brought out his nephew Harvey E. Witwer Sr., at the time a salesman at the Studebaker Company, to assist in the new venture.
Switching to Cattle
In 1899 a new corporation was formed comprised of J.M. Studebaker, Lafayette Lamb and Harvey E Witwer Sr. Utilizing the initials of the founders it was called the SLW Ranch Company. As manager, Harvey Sr. was to promote and sell land assets while building cattle herds. Harvey Sr. worked with his foreman, through selective breeding, to develop what was to become one of the oldest herds of registered Herefords in Colorado. The sale and renting of land created a community around the SLW which flourished.
SLW and Witwer family in the Community
As the ranch community grew a school and a church were built. When the church was closed, the building was moved to Galeton CO to serve as the community church until it burned down in 1948.
In 1913/14 Harvey Sr. became the sole owner, having bought out Studebaker and Lamb and continued to develop the herd and property. Prior to being lost in a devastating fire the original "big barn" became the host for dances and church services while the ranch hosted several harvest festivals and community fairs. Harvey Sr. also served as Weld County Treasurer from 1932 until his death in 1942, becoming known as "Neighbor Witwer". He also served as Director of Western Stock Show Association.
Dude Ranching and the Great Depression
As the boom in the cattle business during World War I subsided, Harvey Sr. diversified by operating the SLW as a dude ranch from 1922 to 1944. The 12 room home built by Ogilvy was converted to a guest house for 12-15 at $35 per week. His eldest son Stow Sr. was the founder and first president of the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association. Stow Sr. met a young woman named Clara, who was visiting as a dude, he stayed in contact and she later became his wife.
The growth and the diversification came at a cost and the heavily financed ranch was hurt by the Great Depression. In 1932, at his father's request, Harvey Jr. came back to work alongside his brother Stow Sr. to repurchase 3500 acres and continue the cattle operations.
SLW Ranch Today
After the passing of Harvey Sr., his sons Stow and Harvey Jr. continued as partners until 1960 when Stow Sr. bought his brother's shares. Stow Sr. continued to operate the ranch until his death when his son Stow Jr., sisters Joy and Carol took the reins. Today Harvey Sr.'s descendants continue the family legacy of raising Hereford cattle and various agricultural products on more than 5500 acres of deeded and leased land.