Meet Jo | Veteran, Former Defense-Contractor, Pitmaster

This all started as a passion project. Coming home from the military after spending so much time overseas was a lot to unpack. Looking back now, it’s clear that nearly every veteran goes through something similar—but at the time, it felt isolating. Like so many others, returning to civilian life meant stepping back into a world that no longer fit. The people I’d grown up with hadn’t changed much, but I had.  

Say what you will about the military—there are pros and cons—but one undeniable benefit is the way it forces growth. They break down who you were and rebuild you into part of something bigger. You become a teammate. And out of that comes a level of camaraderie that’s nearly impossible to describe. Bonds are built between people from completely different backgrounds, and somehow, you become family. Finding anything like that once you’re home? That’s tough. 

Cooking became a way to process all of it. There was something grounding—almost meditative—about feeding people. Around that same time, a buddy invited me deer hunting. It had been years since I’d been in the woods like that—something I did as a kid, but had never revisited as an adult. That peace, that silence in the timber… it hit like a reset button. It felt like an 85 lb ruck had been lifted off my shoulders. That’s when it clicked—I wasn’t the only one out there feeling this way. Thanks in part to shows like MeatEater, a lot of vets were finding themselves back in the woods, or standing knee-deep in a river with a rod and reel. 

Not long after, we started a food blog—mostly to share some of the “Memphis Style” BBQ I’d been perfecting, but also to post recipes that worked well with wild game and fresh-caught fish. About two years ago, those recipes really started to come together in my home kitchen. That’s when it finally made sense: instead of letting “Jesus take the wheel” every time I seasoned meat, maybe it was time to write some of it down. 

We found an amazing co-packer in Denver, and with a little grit (and a lot of test batches), Ranch & Rifle took shape. Fast forward to today—we’re stocked in seven states and counting. “

At Ranch & Rifle, the challenges that come with military service aren’t just understood—they’re lived. The transition from active duty to civilian life can feel disorienting, even aimless at times. For many, it’s like losing a sense of purpose. That’s where things like hunting, fishing, and cooking came in—not just as hobbies, but as lifelines. They offered peace, clarity, and a path to reconnect with both self and community.  

Giving back through this business has always been part of the mission. We actively support veteran-focused charities and partner with organizations that align with our belief in the healing power of the outdoors and shared meals. These partnerships make the work feel bigger than just BBQ. 

There’s no claim here that “nothing is being done for veterans.” In fact, there are some truly incredible people and organizations out there doing meaningful work for our military family. It’s an honor to collaborate with them. Around here, the mindset is always “we all grow together.” 

One thing that makes Ranch & Rifle different is how focused we are on creating space—literal and figurative—for vets to gather. Every time we fire up the grill, the goal is the same: feed our people and bring them together. Whether it’s your local Ace Hardware, a neighborhood butcher shop, or one of our signature Content Cookouts, we make sure folks know where to show up for good food and even better connection. And the whole thing? It’s funded by the rubs we sell.

After being back and forth between here and COS for the last 8 years, lots of ideas come to mind, so below I have a list of favorites in no order, but I tried to separate things by COS/DEN area. Pick one or two from each section and choose-your-own adventure!

Leadville has to be my favorite area to hang out in, just a beautiful and unique area!

Hiking
St. Mary’s Glacier – Snowfield hike with a beautiful alpine lake.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum – Leadville, Tabor Opera House, Silver Dollar Saloon
Turquoise Lake Trail – 6-mile out-and-back with views of the lake and peaks.
Mineral Belt Trail – 11.6-mile loop that can be hiked or biked
Relax by Lake Creek near Willis Gulch, Twin Lakes

Hot Springs
Rainbow Hot Springs, Pagosa Springs
Piedra River Hot Springs, Pagosa Springs
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Nathrop
Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, Salida
Desert Reef, Florence

Hunting
Elk, Mule deer, antelope, small game, duck, and turkey throughout the state.

Fishing
South Platte River – Deckers & Cheesman Canyon
Arkansas River – Buena Vista to Salida
Gunnison River – Black Canyon & Gunnison Gorge

DEN Live Entertainment
Bluebird Theater, intimate setting for local and touring artists.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, check the schedule!
Mission Ballroom, a fun venue hosting great artists
Comedy Works

COS Live Entertainment
Lulu’s Downtown
Sunshine Studios Live
Blacksheep
Ford Amphitheater (get on the Facebook group “Firepit Tickets at Ford Amphitheater” if you want those seats)
Loonees Comedy Corner
DJ Rocky Ross – Anywhere he plays

DEN DITC (Digging in the Crates) Record/Vinyl hunting
Wax Trax Records 638 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO
Twist & Shout Records 2508 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO
Angelo’s CDs & More 937 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO
Recollect Records 1255 Delaware St, Denver, CO
Mutiny Information Café 2 S Broadway, Denver, CO
Sold Out Vinyl 150 S Broadway, Denver, CO
Love Vinyl Records Inside FM, 107 Broadway, Denver, CO

COS DITC (Digging in the Crates) Record/Vinyl hunting
Leechpit Records & Vintage – 3020 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
Earth Pig Music – 1953 W Uintah St, Colorado Springs, CO
What’s Left Records – 2217 E Platte Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
Tiger Records – 1625 W Uintah St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Photography/Art
Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC)
McNichols Civic Center Building
Denver Art Museum
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
First Friday Art Walk
Pikes Peak Film Forum (Show us your shorts)

COS Gym & BJJ
Accolade Fitness
Renzo Gracie BJJ
Prime BJJ
Combative Fighting System – Master Ken Gabrielson
Warrior Fitness

Disc Golf
Colorado Mountain College Disc Golf Course, Leadville
Lion’s Den Disc Golf Course, Lake George
Rockin’ the Rails Disc Golf Course, Palmer Lake
The Aviary Disc Golf Course, Colorado Springs

Veteran Activities:
Schedule a fly-fishing day trip through Project Healing Waters.
Irreverant Warrior silkies hikes and events.
Veterans Memorial Park
National Veterans Art Museum – RiNo Art District
Warriors’ Ascent Events – Check local listings for workshops, retreats, or community gatherings.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing – Offers fly-fishing trips and classes to veterans.
Boulder Veterans’ Memorial Park – A peaceful spot to honor service.
Team RWB Denver – Weekly group runs, workouts, and community-building events for veterans.
American Legion Posts – Some have regular events, live music nights, and social gatherings.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Posts — DEN VFW 1 is a unique and well-visited stop, along with many other CO VFW’s.
Mt. Carmel/River Deep/Operation TBI Freedom

DEN Restaurants
Little Bodega, a great sandwich shop (Flying Horseman and The Situation are solid) 613 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Buckhorn Exchange: Denver’s oldest restaurant
My Brother’s Bar
Culinary Dropout

COS Restaurants
The Rabbit Hole, a unique underground experience with great food, cocktails, and Alice in Wonderland art by Phil Lear https://www.phillear.com/
Paravicini’s Italian Bistro
Chiba Bar, Japanese cyber-punk
Cowboy Star, Steak House
Tong Tong, Korean

Distillery, Breweries, Cigar & Libations
Axe and Oak
291
Red Leg Brewery
Goat Patch
Brass Tap
The Archives Underground Libations
Shame & Regret
District Elleven
3D’s Cigar Lounge
Stag Tobacconist
Cigar’s on 6th
Churchill’s

Additional musts!
Denver Botanical Gardens
Williams & Graham (speakeasy)
RiNo Art District for murals, craft breweries, and funky shops