Collins Ranch in Colorado: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Collins Ranch is a cow-calf operation at Kit Carson in Cheyenne County on Colorado's Eastern Plains, managed by the same family for more than a century. Toby and Amy Johnson run it, and Sand County Foundation named it the 2020 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award recipient for intensive rotational grazing, extensive water development and habitat protection for lesser prairie-chickens.
| Location | Kit Carson, Cheyenne County, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Founded | Under the same family's management for more than a century |
| Sectors | Cow-calf cattle; winter grazing of corn stalks and wheat; wildlife habitat |
| Scale | Total acreage not published; about 35 miles of underground pipeline and 50-plus water sources |
| Why it is elite | 2020 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award recipient |
| Ownership | Toby and Amy Johnson, with children Brad, Haley and Tess |
| Official website | Sand County Foundation Leopold Conservation Award announcement |
History of Collins Ranch
Collins Ranch has been under the same family's management for more than a century. Today Toby and Amy Johnson own and operate it with their children Brad, Haley and Tess. Amy chairs Kit Carson Rural Development and Toby serves on the local school board, so the family is rooted in the town as well as the land.
Sand County Foundation announced the 2020 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award recipient on April 22, 2020. The $10,000 award was presented on July 30, 2020, at the Colorado Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention in Colorado Springs. LK Ranch of Meeker and May Ranch of Lamar were the finalists.
What Collins Ranch Grows and Raises
The Johnsons describe themselves as grass farmers first and cattle ranchers second. Cattle graze each pasture for less than a week and then rest it at least 100 days. In winter the herd grazes corn stalks and wheat, which protects native grasses and riparian areas. Calving was moved from late winter to May to better match forage growth and weather.
Water infrastructure is extensive: about 35 miles of underground pipeline and more than 50 water sources replaced or installed, with bird ramps in water tanks. The family released beetles to control tamarisk trees in riparian areas and uses deferred grazing and marked fences to protect lesser prairie-chicken leks. Deer also use the property.
How Collins Ranch Makes Money
Cow-calf production
Collins Ranch is a cow-calf operation, so calves are the core product. Moving calving to May lowers the need for winter shelter and feed and fits the cow herd to the grass.
Winter grazing of crop residue
Grazing corn stalks and wheat in winter turns crop residue into feed. This can cut hay costs and give cropping neighbors another use for residue, though terms should be confirmed locally.
Efficiency from infrastructure
Underground pipeline and many water sources make grazing rotations easier to run, which lets the family harvest more grass per acre. The award announcement does not publish sales figures, and none are estimated here.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Collins Ranch
Shift the calving date. Moving calving to May is a simple management change that can reduce feed and labor stress by lining up peak cow demand with grass growth.
Short grazing periods and long rests build resilience. A pasture grazed for less than a week and rested at least 100 days gives plants time to recover, and the system pays off in drought years. Pairing it with winter grazing on crop residue and with pipeline water shows how a cow-calf outfit can get more from the land it already has.
A rancher who says grass comes first and cattle second has clearly learned who really runs the Eastern Plains. At farm.FM we respect that order of operations, and our farm satire and farm humor keep a hand on the fence. We hope the ranch humor about 100-day rests and 35 miles of pipe earns a nod, and that the farm jokes make the prairie-chickens strut a little taller.
Readers who want the full experience can pair the jokes with Tractor Tunes, the country music for farmers that farm.FM, the nation's first satirical farm site, plays between stories. This author page is a fine starting point.
How to Contact Collins Ranch
No official ranch website appeared in my research, so this is the 2020 award announcement. Confirm any sales or visit details with the ranch directly. Information as of November 2026.
Collins Ranch Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Sand County Foundation announcement - Official 2020 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award release
- High Plains Journal coverage - Independent news report on the award
- USDA NASS Census of Agriculture - Official data on Colorado farms, cattle and land
- Colorado Department of Agriculture - State agriculture department
- Colorado Cattlemen's Association - State cattle producer association behind the award presentation
Collins Ranch FAQ
Where is Collins Ranch?
It is at Kit Carson in Cheyenne County on Colorado's Eastern Plains.
What award did Collins Ranch win?
It was named the 2020 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award recipient.
What kind of ranch is Collins Ranch?
It is a cow-calf operation with intensive rotational grazing.
How does the ranch protect wildlife?
It uses deferred grazing and marked fences to protect lesser prairie-chicken leks and installs bird ramps in water tanks.
Collins Ranch demonstrates how a century-old Eastern Plains family can use short grazing periods, long rests and pipeline water to build a resilient cow-calf business. Read our Colorado farms guide for the wider picture and the other operations profiled in this directory.