Long before Gunnison became a hub for ranching and recreation, Alonzo Hartman crossed the continental divide and brought one of the first herd of cattle into Western Colorado. He arrived in Gunnison on Christmas Day of 1872, noting in his biography:  

My job was to guard the cattle and generally look after the interested on the Ute Indians. The first winter was the worst; five feet of snow. I rode a government mule to from Los Pinos to the Gunnison River. It snowed all day and we were soaking wet when we arrrived in camp, but Jim Kelley soon had a good blaze in the fireplace…We spent the winter there without seeing anyone for over three months. We had 2000 head of sheep and 3000 head of cattle to take care of in that deep snow, but we never lost a single one.

Alonzo eventually settled on what was known as the Dos Rios Ranch. He persevered through unforgiving winters and long periods of isolation, building a life—and a legacy—defined by toughness, grit, and dedication to cattle ranching. These are the same values celebrated during Cattlemen’s Days and upheld by today’s ranching families across the state.

Alonzo and his wife Annie’s grand stone home, affectionately known today as the Hartman Castle, still stands as a testament to this legacy built by him, Annie, and other founders of Gunnison.

But, time has taken its toll. The historic home is in desperate need of restoration. Without immediate action, this piece of Colorado ranching history could be lost—that’s where we come in!