Aspen Guard Station

History

On June 15, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Montezuma National Forest in Southwest Colorado. Forest Rangers began setting up shop in remote Ranger Stations, such as the Aspen Guard Station (also known as Aspen Springs Guard Station or Aspen Springs Ranger Station). The first dwellings were constructed in 1921, consisting of a home, barn/garage, tool shed and an out house. The present day cabin with an attached garage was built between 1938 and 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Montezuma Forest was divided into 5 Ranger Districts, each with a radius of about 15 miles, so a Ranger could cover his District in a one day ride. The rangers had to pass an exam on proficiency in the use of a rifle, pistol, and axe; stock handling; and tying a diamond hitch. Once hired, the Ranger was given a bucket, a rake, an axe, a map, and a badge, and was then sent out to be the lone steward of several thousand acres for a yearly salary of $900 to $1,500. He had to buy his own horse, sidearm, and clothing. He rode a horse or wagon everywhere, to town for supplies and meetings, and into the high country to find sheep camps, check fire boxes, and monitor planting areas, among other things. A Ranger spent most of his time keeping an eye on livestock grazing. He drew up boundaries and made sure ranchers kept their stock within their allotted areas. He kept the peace between sheep and cattle operations. He cleared stock driveways, secured permission for herds to cross private land, and helped ranchers when their sheep suffered foot rot or their cattle were poisoned by larkspur. 

On May 1, 1947, the Montezuma National Forest began it's consolidation with the San Juan National Forest. The Aspen Guard Station saw service for another 40 years by rangers. Between 1994 and 2011 the Aspen Guard Station operated as a Artist-In- Residence program.