Meet Gretta Fosha | Drowsy Water Ranch Family

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

Hi Gretta, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Drowsy Water Ranch is successful because we have owners that are willing to share in the time, energy, and passion for what they love with their guests, staff, and family.

Ken and Randy Sue bought the ranch in 1977. It was already operating as a dude ranch at that time but they added their own twist to the business. They raised their two sons, Justin and Ryan, at the ranch and mentored countless staff members along the way. There was never a part of the business they weren’t willing to do and they never asked staff do complete any tasks that they could not do or had not already done themselves. Their humility and true western hospitality brings back guests year after year that enjoy feeling truly welcome at the ranch.

As the in-law, I’ve learned so much from working for and with this family. This family truly loves what they do and you can tell. I tell our staff every year that it is not often that you get to work for a boss that truly loves their profession. You will have many bosses but very few that value you like Ken, Randy Sue and their family. The Fosha’s lead by example and teach their staff not to shy away from doing hard work, making hard decisions and pursuing meaningful relationships.

What should our readers know about your business?
Drowsy Water Ranch is one of roughly 20 ranches in the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association. Each of the ranches in our state association is unique, beautiful and shares the western lifestyle with their guests. Drowsy Water Ranch has become known as one of the best in the business for its horse program and kids’ programs as well as offering a unique place for families with all ages of family members to reconnect.

Ken and Randy Sue will be the first to tell you that, no, what we do is not easy. In the early days, they’d rush to the post office to get any deposit checks sent by guests so they could make payments on the ranch. Most of the buildings were built almost one hundred years ago so there is almost always something that needs fixed. You have to find a way to keep all the animals healthy, house and feed a full staff of around 25 young adults, and provide a safe, fun environment for guests that stay with you for week-long stays. In a business that makes virtually all of it’s money between May and September, you have to know how to work hard when it’s time to work and play it smart when its the off season.

As a family, we are used to being at the ranch 7 days a week in the summer. This is tiring and challenging but also incredibly rewarding. I’m careful about using the word “work” when I say we’re there 7 days a week. So much of what we do feels nothing like work. The genuine hospitality that we’ve learned from Ken and Randy Sue means working often equates to being outside, having fun, and sharing stories and experiences.

Our staff and guests appreciate how hands-on we are as owners. Many of the ranches in our industry have sold to or moved toward a more corporate model. Our model still revolves around us getting to know the name of each of our guests, of knowing all 120 of our horses and working alongside our staff in each and every aspect of the business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our area of the state is amazing in the summer. We encourage our guests to take side trips to Rocky Mountain National Park to see wildlife and spectacular views and head to Grand Lake for some of the best Ice Cream in the state.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This Shoutout needs to be all about Ken and Randy Sue! They are now in their ’70’s and in the process of passing the torch of owning the ranch to their son’s and their families.

Like I mentioned in the last slide, we’ve all learned so much from the values and ethics that Ken and Randy Sue instill in us. They created the business model that the ranch still uses. Welcoming 50-55 guests each week of the summer for an all-inclusive, week long stay means lots of moving parts to keep the machine working. They have taught us to focus not just on service but on the people we serve, not just on work but on the quality of work, not just on loving the land but on sharing that love.

Website: https://www.drowsywater.com

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Image Credits
Courtesy of Grand County Tourism Board, photo by Briana Wollman