Animals and People

At one time, South Park was a favored summer hunting ground for Ute, Arapaho, and other tribes. The Middle Fork of the South Platte River, and the streams that fed it, allowed for lush growth of grasses. Herds of buffalo, elk, deer, and antelope ranged freely and moose lived in the surrounding mountains. These grasslands that supported vast herds of wild animals were also ideal for cattle. When I saw South Park for the first time, from a lookout at Wilkerson Pass, my thought was: “Wow! The first cattleman who saw this must have thought he had died and gone to heaven!”

Although the land available to both wild and domesticated animals is shrinking, we still have wild elk, deer, antelope and moose, and there are ranchers raising beef and even buffalo. Bears occasionally wander onto decks (especially if there are bird feeders or other food sources out), coyotes, foxes and other, smaller animals roam freely. The river has been designated as a “Gold Medal” trout stream. Local hunters and fishermen are still able to supply some of their families’ protein needs each year.

But of course, nothing stays the same. Rather than mostly miners and homesteaders (although both still exist), South Park is now home to people who work in offices and stores as well as on ranches and in the forests. Some commute to surrounding areas, and some work from home, via computer. Many are retired, having moved to the mountains to enjoy a slower paced lifestyle. Others have come for access to skiing and snowboarding, and over time, many of those have grown older, working full-time in construction or other business areas rather than viewing their carpentry (or other) skills as just a means of supporting their time on the slopes.