Meet Corey Roberts | Farmer/Rancher, NonProfit Executive Director,

We had the good fortune of connecting with Corey Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Corey, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is persistence. I have had a lot of ideas that I say, “hmm, that’s a good idea,” and then it doesn’t quite work out each time. Instead of dwell on the failures, it helps to look at the lessons learned in the process. I follow my gut; every idea is an opportunity to learn something new. Being persistent and seeing something through always produces a result.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My story is one of persistence. Getting here wasn’t easy. I met my wife when she was just getting on her feet from a few difficult life instances, just as I was. We both had a lot of ideas and talents, but our solo efforts weren’t paying off. We started our first company together, Veterans Housing Network, within a few months of meeting. Between my attention to detail and tech savvy and Michelle’s outgoing personality and willingness to try anything, we started the brokerage and split from the safety of being at a brokerage. Pouring all of my effort into a new business I had no experience in, we navigated making a website and advertising. Within two years, we were successful and looking to move to a more suitable location for our goals and lifestyle.

I started studying agriculture online during COVID at Stockbridge UMASS. I got a taste of the knowledge needed to make a farm and ranch. We started looking for the property on the Western Slope of Colorado, a 5 hour move from Fort Collins.

We bought 30 acres of amazing agricultural land about 10 minutes from Delta, Colorado. From my experience working with some nonprofit organizations in Fort Collins, I set out to develop the property as a retreat space for Veterans. The land is ripe for opportunity, and was extremely underdeveloped. I spent the next 4 years cleaning it and clearing it.

Our landing here was rough, to say the least. We faced a court battle for custody over the move. We spent most of the proceeds from the house we sold in Fort Collins on legal and attorney fees. We still lost the court case. Defeated and nearly broke with a huge mortgage payment, no book of business, and a difficult economy, we set out to do whatever it took to succeed.

The next several years were spent creating a successful Short Term Rental business, which we had fortunate purchased with the money we had from the sale of the other home. We established real estate success from a ground roots effort spearheaded by my wife, with me drumming up marketing and operations.

Now we are on the path to truly doing what I set out to do here in Delta; create a space for Veterans to heal, and deliver fresh food, unforgettable memories, and lifelong relationships.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m not much for the city, one of the many reasons why I love the Western Slope! I would set up a week of adventure: from the Via Ferrata in Ouray to the hidden gem that is Dominguez Canyon, I can show you what makes this place truly one of a a kind!

Let’s start by talking about Ouray, the quaint mountain town 45 minutes south of Delta. Pack for the Hot Springs, bring your day pack, and a full charge on your phone for epic sweeping pictures! Called the “Switzerland of America”, we will start on the Via Ferrata, following the canyon walls with the Uncompaghre River roaring under our dangling feet. After the exercise, we would go grab a brew and meal at Ouray Brewing Company. From there, we could hit Orvis Hot Springs on the way back home, a natural hot springs in Ridgway.

Why not spend more time down here, and talk about Ridgway for day 2! Ridgway is a small town with a bustling market on the weekends during the warm months. Tons of local artisans and good food. If you’re up for a culinary experience, Gnar Tacos is the place for a magical experience. After a morning of walking the river and hanging in the park for the market, the next logical move is to drive just out of town and head out to Last Dollar Road, between Telluride and Ridgway. A beautiful drive through mountain ranches, aspen forests, wildflower meadows, and the most epic entrance into Telluride you’ll see. A great way to finish the day is with some Brown Dog Pizza in T-Ride!

Nearby Montrose is a full day of adventure! Here is where we would stop for a burrito on the way to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park; and there is no better breakfast burrito than Don Gilberto’s (Donny G’s to the locals). About 30 minutes away is the South Rim of the Black Canyon. With huge views of this stunning sheer canyon face, spending a few hours here is very easy. Coming back in to Montrose, the only way to spend the afternoon is by grabbing a brew and meal at Horsefly Brewing, and take a walk downtown. With a ton of intriguing and fun stores along the main drag, there’s always something fun and new to look at!

In Delta, the vibe is always chill. The best place to spend a morning is at Confluence Park, on the north end of town, bring a fishing pole! Walking around the park and finding the confluence of the mighty Gunnison River and the Uncompaghre is a great experience. Walking the bike trails to get back there is calming, and feels remote for this area. This area has the most diverse population of birds in the entire state! Going to play mini-golf at the Yard Family Fun Center is a blast! We always end up laughing so hard, so don’t let us hold you up. Dinner at Daveto’s Italian is a must!

Another full day can be spent in Crested Butte, going through Kebler Pass to get there! A beautiful and epic drive through a massive Aspen forest drops you off on the far side of the town. A vibrant downtown offers tons of food and culture. Walking around the Main Street and exploring the side streets always yields an adventure and a good time. Spending half a day here is easy. For a more active day, there are hiking options all along Kebler Pass! But if your cup isn’t completely full, no worries. You’ll be driving by Paonia on the way back to Delta, and Big B’s Orchard is a great place to stop off when their summer activities are in full swing. Their concert series are a must! The food and cider is grown right there! And camping? Yes, camping right there in the orchard. Perfection!

A really great way to spend a day is to go from the bottom of Dominguez Canyon to the top of the Grand Mesa in a day! Start by getting a burrito at Taqueria Master in town, and head out to Bridgeport Road off of US50. Take a short 2 hour walk to see a gorgeous bridge over the Gunnison River, surrounded by red cliffs and cattle grazing lands. Walk far enough to get to the waterfall, and have a quick picnic. Once you’re done here, don’t forget to look up! You can see the Grand Mesa from way down in this canyon, and that’s our next spot to hit! A short drive up to highway 65, and get through the lovely little town of Cedaredge. Up on the Mesa, the Mesa Lakes are stunning. There is a lot of hiking here, and it’s super easy to find a trail and do a loop for stretching the legs. Grabbing a bite to eat in Cedaredge at Lost Mesa grill is always a win!

As a last day, it would be prudent to see the Gunnison Gorge. A little visited place that is on the east side of town, there is a Jeep Road along the area that will take you down to the end of the gorge where the Gunnison River takes a turn towards Delta. You’ll see the West Elk mountains, Uncompaghre Plateau, San Juan’s, Grand Mesa, and the North Fork Valley from here. It’s absolutely stunning. There is a hike back here called Cool Rock Canyon, and its name couldn’t be more accurate! Grab some cool rocks, and head back to town!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe a lot of my patience and savvy to my wife, Michelle. She’s an everyday inspiration and a powerful model of success, grit, and grace. Watching her navigate challenges and building meaningful missions and efforts has influenced the way I approach life and leadership.

I also want to give a shoutout to the many mentors I had during my time in the Army. Their guidance helped shape my character, teaching me the value of discipline, resilience, and staying mission-focused under pressure. They were the pathfinders forwhen things got tough. A few standouts I’ll never forget: Marshall Codd, Zach Blevins, Dan Saunders, Johnny Mac, and Michael Hanaway.

Image Credits
All of these photos are my own.