Aspen Colorado’s Koch Ranch: Abandoned Buildings + Rich History

Aspen, Colorado is famously known for its world-class skiing, celebrities, and its memorable storyline in the classic comedy 'Dumb and Dumber.'

READ MORE: Colorado Locations Where Dumb and Dumber Was Filmed

However, like much of the state of Colorado, Aspen has a rich history that some people are working hard to preserve.

Keep scrolling to learn about, and take a virtual tour of The Koch Homestead at Hunter Creek Valley.

History of Aspen Colorado's Koch Homestead

Back during the silver boom of Colorado's infancy, settlers flocked to the Rocky Mountains in search of precious metals and hopes of becoming wealthy.

One man by the name of William C. Koch found himself near Aspen, Colorado during this time and made a fortune of his own supplying lumber and dairy products to the town's growing population.

However, after building a sizeable homestead two miles to the northeast, Koch relocated from the Aspen area to British Columbia and left his land, and all of the buildings on it, behind.

The property, known as The Koch Homestead, was built in the mountainous Hunter Creek Valley and after serving different purposes following Koch's departure, was totally abandoned in the 1960s.

Aspen Colorado's Koch Homestead in Modern Times

Like many regions built around the Colorado ski industry, developers sought to tear down the buildings on the homestead but were halted when it was sold to the National Forest Service.

Now, after sitting vacant for close to four decades, a group of citizens known as The Hunter Creek Foundation have taken the initiative and are working toward not just protecting the buildings, but restoring them as well.

Keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of this piece of Colorado history: