Meet Our Staff
Deer Valley Ranch’s staff is a key to everything that we do here. During the years over fifteen hundred college and post college young men and women have worked at the ranch. We continue to stay in touch with hundreds of them, many who worked for us as long as fifty years ago. They bring an enthusiasm and excitement to our Colorado guest ranch every summer as they arrive to cook, clean, waitress, wrangle, work with your children and teens, and keep the ranch in top condition. They are our friends, and we look forward to seeing former staff stop by almost every week, many who met here while working and return with their families.
Sue DeWalt was about twelve when Deer Valley was started in 1954 and was probably our first dining room hostess the next summer. Married to Harold DeWalt in 1964, they have raised three sons here while Sue has run every aspect of our food operation since 1978 when she and Harold became part of the ranch ownership. While spending most of her summer days in the ranch kitchen, she still manages to “run” every morning, and loves being close to her grandchildren.
Harold DeWalt oversees the horse and mule operation and truly enjoys riding his mules on the steak cookout and high country rides with the guests. He is involved in the leadership of many local and community organizations including the Colorado Mule Riders, the Back Country Horsemen, and the regional 4-H Fair.
John Woolmington’s loves are hiking, fly fishing, and the history of the American West. He is most willing to accompany you on the Colorado Trail, or fishing for Brown trout down on the Arkansas River. Listen to him tell tales of the mountain men, the mining communities, and the local cowboys. Along with Harold and Sue DeWalt, John is one of the ranch owners.
Brock DeWalt, the middle son of Harold and Sue, is the ranch operations manager. Along with keeping the ranch running, he supervises the staff. Brock enjoys taking you fishing in the high lakes and teaching you about the local ecosystem on our nature hike. He and his wife Brenda have four children, Levi, Halley, Cora, and Daniel who all love the ranch life.
Franci Crowder has worked full time in our ranch office for nine years, overseeing our billing and finances as well as being one of the cheery voices on the end of the phone when you call with your questions. Franci and her husband Gary live in Buena Vista.
Bev Jackson, the ranch’s office manager, has been at Deer Valley for nineteen years, and is responsible for all aspects of the office including reservations, communications, and care of any ranch dogs that wander in. Bev and her husband Blane live a few miles from Deer Valley.
“Big Dave” Burtness has been a fixture at Deer Valley off and on since 1978. He is truly a “ranch hand”, doing every kind of job from driving mule teams, to shoveling winter snow. Dave cooks your outdoor meals, builds the fire in the lodge, and has your coffee ready early every morning.
Josh Motsinger is in his second year of full time work at Deer Valley. He assists Brock in operation management and keeps an eye out for every need a guest may have. Josh oversees the maintenance crew in the summer to be sure the swimming pools are sparkling, the lawns are trimmed, the flowers watered, and all the facilities are ready for your use.
Sheryl Atwood has been our head housekeeper for four years. She oversees a critical part of Deer Valley’s success, seeing to it that every accommodation is ready for you upon arrival, and directing our summer cleaning staff. Sheryl and her husband Jim live in Buena Vista.
