Piney River Ranch Seeks Long-Term Lease to Avoid September Closure

Aspen —The gravel crunches under tires on the access road north of Vail. It is late August, and the air smells like pine needles and drying hay. Piney River Ranch sits quiet against its 40 acres, waiting for a decision that will determine if it opens its gates next month or closes them permanently.

Bob Shafer stood before the Vail Town Council on Tuesday and delivered a simple message: they are still trying to make this work.

The operators of the iconic retreat have been unable to sign a long-term lease with Denver Water. They told the Vail Daily in June that operations would shut down on Sept. 26. That date is now less than two weeks away.

Shafer, an Edwards resident and original partner, said the ranch still hopes to stay open for its 16th summer season.

“We’d love to continue to maintain and operate Piney River Ranch like we’ve done for the past 16 years,” Shafer told the council.

The current lease expires soon. It is a 15-year deal costing $30,000 annually. Denver Water offered a short-term extension through next summer. Shafer called that option necessary so the business can continue investing in itself.

But a short-term fix isn’t enough for long-term stability. Shafer is pushing for a 10-year lease similar to past agreements.

Denver Water holds the deed to the land. The utility is weighing its options on the 66-acre property surrounded by the White River National Forest. They might “surplus” the land and put it up for sale.

The water board has committed to keeping the community informed about those intentions. Shafer is listening. He said the ranch would be interested in a sale if the opportunity arises.

“We wouldn’t change anything; we’d operate in the manner that we’re operating today,” Shafer said.

Town Council members want to ensure public access remains intact. They plan to stay involved in any sale discussions or land exchange proposals. The council’s priority is continuity for locals and visitors alike.

Shafer noted the venue draws a “ton of visitors” to the valley every year. The community relies on that access.

The short version: Piney River Ranch is not dead yet. It is just waiting on Denver Water to decide whether to sign a new lease or sell the land.

The clock is ticking toward Sept. 26. If no deal materializes, the gates close. Shafer remains optimistic. He has been here from the beginning.

The water board’s next move will dictate whether neighbors can still walk their dogs by Piney Lake or if the property disappears into a private sale.