About
the Ranch
The Chico Basin Ranch is an 86,000-acre ranch owned by the Colorado State Land Board. The Flying Diamond Ranch (A multi-generational family-owned livestock operation) took over the 10-year agricultural lease in January of 2025. It was previously leased by a well-regarded guest ranch outfitter, Ranchlands.
We are on a diverse prairie landscape, with short grass prairie, cholla and greasewood, and sand sage ecosystems. There are many springs, several large ponds, and a narrow riparian corridor running the length of the ranch. The combination of water and prairie makes for robust and diverse ecosystems and wildlife populations with many threatened species such as burrowing owls and kit foxes, Rocky Mountain Plovers and Arkansas Darters on the property. Â
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It is an arid semi-desert environment at an average elevation of 5,000 feet with good views of the Rocky Mountains from Pikes Peak in the north to the Spanish Peaks in the south. It is a generally mild climate, but summertime temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, and occasional single digit and below temperatures in the winter. SE Colorado is one of the most drought prone regions in the US and we are constantly in drought planning mode. As is common in the prairie, extreme wind and weather can come out of nowhere, but generally do not last for long.Â
There are currently approximately 50 permanent pastures, over 65 miles of livestock water pipeline and 50 water tanks, several corrals and cattle handling facilities and several houses for ranch employees. Flying Diamond shares the ranch with a hunting outfitter, the Aiken Audubon and the Rocky Mountain Bird Conservancy and is a well-known birding destination. We are currently finalizing agreements with two different carbon trading companies who will be doing third party monitoring on the ranch. Â
Regenerative Practices
Flying Diamond was one of the first ranches to practice Holistic Resource Management on a large scale in the US, since the 1980s. We believe in working with nature, not against it. Properly managed livestock can be both a tool to regenerate the landscape and provide a sustainable income for the people that live on the land, and are constantly looking for ways to refine that vision. Â
When we took over Chico Basin, we immediately began to implement planned grazing practices to minimize grazing periods and maximize rest. We have started building single-wire high tensile fence in order to raise the level of grazing management. Previously, the average pasture size was over 1,860 acres, with a few well over 6,000 acres. However, in the next few years we hope to have the average size down to closer to 500 acres, which will significantly reduce grazing periods.Â
Tour
the Ranch
The Mentor
Michael Moon
I grew up rural and horseback, on a small property in the foothills of the Sierras in California, while spending extensive time on my grandparent’s ranch in NE New Mexico. After college I came to the Colorado high country to wrangle horses and play guitar on a dude ranch, but soon transitioned to working cattle ranches. Â
I was first exposed to Allan Savory in 1990. His philosophy fit well with the land ethic I had learned from my grandfather, who believed in good stewardship for both land and livestock. My wife and I were married in 1994, and after a short stint in the Peace Corp in Ecuador, raised our four children while managing ranches in Colorado, Montana and New Mexico. I have focused on conservation minded ranches and managed ranches for both the Quivira Coalition and The Nature Conservancy. Â
I worked for the previous lessee on Chico Basin Ranch from 2007-2015, and then worked at the Home Ranch in Clark, CO where I was a NAP mentor for 2 years. I then returned to Chico Basin as ranch manager when Flying Diamond took over the lease in January 2025. I strongly believe that true regenerative management must not only focus on improving the land and livestock, but also be profitable and healthy for the humans involved. We should work with nature not against it and people and livestock can function as part of a healthy ecosystem. During my first round of time working at Chico Basin I discovered that I have a passion for sharing ranching with those who are interested in learning.
The Duties Of
The Apprentice
What will an apprentice do?
What skills and traits are required?
What skills will an apprentice acquire?
Nuts & Bolts
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Living on the Ranch
Town Information
Fountain, Colorado (pop 30,000) is about 30 minutes from the ranch and is a normal small city heavily influenced by Ft. Carson and Peterson Air Force Base. We are about 50 minutes from both Pueblo and Colorado Springs, which are substantial cities, with everything a city has to offer. There is a small rural church, volunteer fire department, park and school just north of the ranch entrance in the community of Hanover. There are occasional community gatherings and neighbors get together for brandings in the spring, but there is not an active social scene close to the ranch.
Housing
We have a two-bedroom bunkhouse at headquarters, with a basic kitchen and comfortable living area. The apprentice would have their own room, but there could occasionally be another person or two in the other room.Â
Laundry
Laundry is in the bunkhouse.
Internet Service
We have Starlink Internet at headquarters which works well in the bunkhouse.
Cell Service
Cell service is spotty at HQ, but WiFi calling works well on Starlink. Some parts of the ranch have excellent cell service but there are dead zones.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome in the bunkhouse, but this would need to be coordinated in the case we need the room for someone else. For example, an employee from another Flying Diamond ranch might stay over if they were helping with a branding or big cattle work day.
Food
The ranch will provide the apprentice with hamburger, and some other cuts of beef. On big work days we often share a meal. Â
Pets
We would allow pets on a case-by-case basis. They would need to be well mannered, non-destructive, safe around all people (especially kids) and get along well with other dogs, cats and livestock. They should always be under supervision or contained in some way. 1-2 horses may also be allowed on a case-by-case basis. They should be able to live mostly on pasture with other ranch horses and managed generally like the other ranch horses. Supplemental feed, foot care and vet care will be the responsibility of the apprentice. If they wish to use them for work, they should be fully trained and comfortable around livestock and all types of terrain, safe and not disruptive of the work that needs to be done.
Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol
Tobacco use should be outdoors, clean, fire safe and not interfere with work. We are a drug free ranch.
Firearms
We allow firearms but they should be safely stored and secured and gun safety rules followed at all times.
Vehicle Info
Ranch Vehicles
The ranch will provide a vehicle or transportation for all ranch work. We do not currently have any manual transmission vehicles, but our tractors are manual.
Personal Vehicles
Apprentice should provide their own vehicle for personal travel.
Work Hours / Time Off
Working Hours
Generally we work 7am-4 or 5pm Monday through Friday with earlier mornings for cattle work days and cattle move days and occasional Saturday work or Sunday Chores. We try to limit weekend work and be sure that everyone has at least one full day off, and generally two.Time Off
We try to give everyone 1-2 days off per week and are flexible with time off as long as it is not during peak work times and is planned ahead.
Health Insurance
Explore
Apprentice Stories
Check out past apprentices and what they have to say about their experience.