C Lazy U Ranch Review, Colorado Luxury

I’m blessed that I’m able to travel the world on horseback. Recently, I landed in Colorado to see for myself what a luxury all-inclusive vacation looked like at C Lazy U Ranch. It was a short visit. Only 3 days and 3 nights at this luxury dude ranch in Granby. You’d be amazed how much fun one can pack in on a trip to Grand County. Read on for how to replicate this fall getaway.

Herd of horses run past the corral fence, on their way to the pasture at the end of the day. Partial view of 2 pine trees behind the horses. A rider on horseback is wearing an English riding helmet and is at the end of the herd of horses. She is the drag rider.

What to expect at C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado

C Lazy U Ranch was founded in 1919, while the children’s program had been around since 1949. This was my first time to the Colorado luxury dude ranch in Grand County.

The year-round, family-owned guest ranch sat on 8,500 acres and was 8,200 feet above sea level. My husband and I flew in from Denver International Airport and enjoyed the scenic 2-hour drive to Granby, Colorado.

I appreciated the pre-arrival survey and ranch ambassador phone call, as it meant my husband and I could get going with our activities upon arrival. You’ll be asked your horseback riding level of experience, as well as the ranch activities you’d like to try during your Colorado luxury vacation. The C Lazy U Ranch staff and wranglers wanted you to have a good time and they delivered on all levels.

We drove down the mile-long road to C Lazy U Ranch. You couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement. I noticed the horse-crossing signs before we turned onto the private ranch road. To my left were 2 wooden horse statues standing sentry by the fishing pond. To my right, the 2-story main lodge with flower-filled hanging baskets suspended from hooks on the heavy timbered cross beams. A gas fire pit blazed on the patio. Rocking chairs waited idle on the wood deck.

Woman, wearing cowboy hat, grey sweater and black vest with grey jeans and cowboy boots on a brown and white paint Quarter Horse with a white mane. Rider is looking at the camera, horse is looking to right. Yellow and gold Aspen trees are behind horse and rider on the dirt and rock plateau.

C Lazy U Ranch review, Colorado horseback riding

As an advanced rider, I selected an adult-only horseback riding vacation for a few reasons. I love children and am a mother and grandmother. However, I appreciated the quiet of kids back in school and the slower paced childfree-zone at C Lazy U Ranch. Also, leaf peeping season was a wonderful time to be in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

No matter your horseback riding level, with over 200 horses at C Lazy U Ranch, there was more than one horse for every rider. Case in point. I have 2 hip replacements. While Jolene, my beautiful Paint Quarter Horse was as smooth as butter to ride, she was a little too wide for my artificial hips. Equestrian Director Ami Cullen heard of my situation and the next day I rode a horse named Alvin, with narrower withers. Problem solved.

A hat tip to the equestrian team in that every horse on property was wearing a snaffle bit. A snaffle bit is generally gentler on a horses’s mouth than curb bits. With so many different riders on these well-cared for horses, it was a pleasure to see happy horses.

Repeat riders and first timers at C Lazy U Ranch

Many dude ranches have repeat riders. C Lazy You was no exception. Karol Pierce of North Tustin, California had been returning to the Colorado luxury ranch since 2016. This was her first solo trip. She was matched with a horse named Missy. They crossed streams and rode by Aspens together. Her favorite part of the day was “The Jingle.” Wranglers on horseback guide the herd of horses to and from the pasture to the stable each morning and evening.

“On the final “Jingle” of my visit, I was searching for Missy in the herd. I spotted her and called her name. She gazed at me and then continued on her way. After 10 years, visiting the ranch 21 times, I have found my heart horse. Some places become special because of the memories we make there.”
Karol Pierce
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“My first time at C Lazy U Ranch proved not to disappoint. The accommodations were lovely and the staff were very attentive and responsive to your needs. The meals were delicious. You will not go hungry. The horses were well cared for and of good temperament. Considerable planning was taken to assign riders to horses to meet their riding skill level.”
Kim from Canton, Michigan
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C Lazy U Ranch review – year round activities

In addition to horseback riding, the Colorado luxury dude ranch offered Orvis-endorsed fly fishing, a zip line and ropes course, archery, hatchet throwing, trap shooting and the Friday-morning cookout breakfast. High season offered even more activities such as the Saturday Shodeo.

In other words, guests need not worry that horseback riding was the only activity offered at C Lazy U Ranch. While fly fishing and trap shooting were offered for an additional fee, guests could take casting lessons on the pond with provided ranch gear for free. All terrain vehicle tours were also available, in addition to pickle ball, tennis, hiking, yoga and mountain biking. Rocky Mountain National Park was a short drive from the Granby, Colorado Ranch.

The adult-only Lazy U Hideaway offered a wood barrel sauna, 10-person cedar hot tub and plunge pool. This was in addition to the heated swimming pool and hot tubs available to all ages.

Winter activities on the Grand County, Colorado ranch included snow tubing, ice hockey and skating on a Zamboni-groomed pond, as well as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country and backcountry skiing and a little horse riding.

C Lazy U Ranch luxury dining

Snacks and dining were key to a Colorado luxury ranch vacation. Truthfully, I’ve sometimes graded dude ranches on the quality of their desserts and homemade cookies. Chef Robin Stotter and his crew turned out consistently good food. It also didn’t hurt that there was a jar of Enstrom almond toffee candies in our room, along with other Colorado-based goodies.

Dinners featured regionally sourced ingredients, an on-site sommelier and fresh baked breads and desserts. Breakfasts began with Cowboy Coffee, tea or hot chocolate around the fire pit. Inside the main lodge breakfasts were served buffet-style with grilled bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, baked to order omelets, quick breads, fresh fruit, yogurt, toast and oatmeal.

Lunches were served on the patio, buffet style, with salads, burgers, sausages, drinks and specialty desserts. An outdoor dinner included smoked pig, sides, salads, fruit, fresh baked pies and live musical entertainment. This was in addition to s’mores around the campfire and daily gluten free, fresh baked cookies served in the Outfitters Cabin.

Log cabin wall, king size bed with white sheets and 4 white pillows. A headboard has cowhide of three different colors above the bed. Small wood end tables are on either side of bed with small reading lamps on the table. Geometric patterned area rug under bed with gray and silver colors. Hardwood floor within cabin.

Colorado luxury lodging at C Lazy U Ranch

How were the 38 cabins? With 14 floor plans, including the multi-bedroom Midnight Trail Lodge home, there were plenty of options. All cabins had been recently renovated with new mattresses and sheets, robes, in-room safe and Keurig coffee maker. I also appreciated the wood-burning fireplace and the boot jack in our Roundup A cabin with king bed.

One last guest comment from Jackson Matson of St. Joseph, Michigan, who returned for his second year with his wife.

“C Lazy U was incredibly inviting while delivering a truly elevated experience. From the morning jingle and the horses snorts to the aspen turning gold against the mountains, every detail was made even more special by the hospitality, meals and wonderful wranglers. After just a few days, our hearts were full.”
Jackson Matson
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If You Go:

C Lazy U Ranch (970) 887-3344

Granby, Colorado

C Lazy U Ranch review, Colorado luxury, YouTube video and all photography by Pacific Northwest travel writer Nancy D. Brown. She was a guest of C Lazy U Ranch for additional magazine articles. All opinions are her own.