Unpacking the Secrets of the Meat Industry | ft. Jeff and Kara Smith of Colorado Craft Beef

Colorado Craft Beef's story begins over a century ago in the eastern plains of Colorado. In 1909, the Enlarged Homestead Act doubled the allotted acreage a homesteader could settle, and in 1917, the great, great grandfather of the founder, Kara Smith, took it upon himself to move west and break ground on a ranch for him and his family. He was determined to carve a life out of the semi-arid grasslands, setting the stage for what would eventually become the family ranching business known as Double Slash N Ranch.

Now, Kara has assumed the helm, steering the family ranching business toward a model that enables direct sales to customers across the United States. Her vision also places a strong emphasis on the harmonious blend of environmental sustainability and the traditional stewardship of the land.

The headquarters of Colorado Craft Beef stands within half a mile of the original settlement, encompassing over 5,000 acres teeming with wild grasses and lush summertime forage. Here, the cattle have ample space to roam and seek their own nourishment. The commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness remains unwavering, with meticulous monitoring of the time cattle spend in various land tracts and the utilization of solar and wind energy to maintain a water supply for the animals as they traverse the plains.

Deeply entrenched in tradition, all cattle work at Colorado Craft Beef is carried out on horseback, reducing stress on both the cattle and the landscape. While cattle constitute a significant portion of the ranch's inhabitants, there is also immense pride in sharing the land with a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, antelope, coyotes, wild birds, and others. The // N Brand and Colorado Craft Beef not only remain dedicated to upholding the Colorado quality and principles that customers have come to expect but also strive to pass on this dedication to future generations.