In the rugged northwest corner of Colorado, Diamond Peak Cattle Company stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Raftopoulos family. Angelo Raftopoulos, the third generation to manage this sprawling 300,000-acre operation, has seen the ranch evolve and adapt through the decades, balancing tradition with innovation.
The roots of Diamond Peak Cattle trace back to Angelo’s grandparents, Georgia and George, who immigrated from Kaloskopi, Greece, and started a sheep operation in 1924. The ranch evolved under the stewardship of Angelo’s father, John, who after graduating from veterinary school in 1978, shifted his focus to cattle.
“My dad was always more interested in cattle,” Angelo told WLJ. “He started growing the cow herd, which was a significant shift from the sheep my grandparents had.”
This decision was pivotal, transforming the ranch into a significant cattle operation. Following a business split in 2012 between Angelo’s father and uncle, who maintained the sheep operation, Angelo’s family continued to grow the cattle business.
In 2001, John purchased 500 commercial Angus replacement heifers from the N Bar Ranch in Montana, making these heifers the core of the Diamond Peak commercial herd. John implemented a comprehensive AI program, enhancing the genetic quality of the herd and establishing the renowned Queen of Diamonds herd. The success of the AI program led John to market his registered and commercial bulls, initially through private treaty, and eventually through the Diamond Peak Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale established in 2008 to meet the growing demand for quality high-altitude Angus bulls.
Succession of ranch
Angelo, who grew up immersed in ranch life, always knew he wanted to continue the family tradition. After earning a degree from Colorado State University, he returned to the ranch, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
When participating in the day-to-day activities and strategic decision-making processes, John and the family began planning for succession in 2016, culminating in a seamless transition in 2023.
Angelo and his brother’s proactive approach, inspired by observing their father and uncle’s transition, helped them avoid common pitfalls that can lead to the loss of generational ranches. “We watched our dad and brother go through it, and we really liked the way that they went through it,” Angelo said. “We had in the back of our minds that we’re going to just try to do it a little different.”
This process involved dividing the operations, with Angelo eventually purchasing the name and continuing under Diamond Peak Cattle, while his brother operated under Queen Anne Cattle Company. The succession plan aimed to maintain family relationships and ensure the ranch’s longevity.
“The succession plan is definitely something that every operation needs to have figured out long before they think that they do,” Angelo said. “When you look at all the generational ranches and family places that have been sold, it mainly comes down to that they didn’t have a good succession plan. Of course, it doesn’t always go the way that you think it does, but at least for both of us, we knew that’s what we needed to do to keep this place alive.”
Today, Angelo, along with his wife, Katie, and their daughter, Charlotte, continue to uphold the values and traditions that have defined Diamond Peak Cattle. As they navigate the complexities of ranching, they remain committed to preserving their family’s legacy and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Wolf reintroduction
As the ranch continues to thrive, it also faces new and unprecedented challenges. The reintroduction of wolves to Colorado poses a significant threat to livestock operations throughout the region. For Angelo and other ranchers, the return of these apex predators is a cause for concern.
“My whole life, we never had to deal with anything like this,” Angelo said. “My dad’s life, he never had to deal with any wolves because they’d already been eradicated before.”
Now, as wolves make a comeback, Angelo said the ranch must adapt to this new reality. Angelo said the extensive size of the ranch, coupled with the terrain and the use of rotational grazing, is not conducive for wolf presence. He is acutely aware of the potential impact on both livestock and wildlife.
“It’s not just livestock that will take a hit,” Angelo emphasized. “Our great elk herds, known for their numbers and health, are also at risk.”
Until this year, Angelo managed the family’s hunting operation for a decade. The hunting operation is located in the northwestern portion of Colorado in game management units 2 and 201, where they “have pulled some really big bulls, 350 class bulls out of there.”
Like many ranchers in the northwestern portion of the state, Angelo said he is apprehensive about wolf reintroduction and how Colorado Park and Wildlife (CPW) is handling the situation. He said he is given a map of wolf activity monthly that is the same as on the CPW website and wishes the agency could provide more information.
The uncertainty surrounding the wolf population’s growth and behavior makes it difficult to predict the future. “In four or five years, we’re going to have a lot of wolves around,” Angelo speculates, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies.
As Angelo, Katie and Charlotte look to the future, they remain dedicated to preserving the legacy of Diamond Peak Cattle. Encroaching urban development, federal land management policies and environmental changes all impact the ranch’s operations. As they navigate the complexities of modern ranching, they remain committed to preserving their family’s legacy and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
