El Rancho was built in 1948 by the Jahnke family as a trading post. They sold the building in November 1953 to Mildred and Ray Zipprich, Milwaukee Wisconsin pie distributors. Their daughter Donna and son-in-law Paul McEncroe joined them in February 1958 and operated it, with their children, until 1988. After the McEncroes sold El Rancho in 1988 it was owned and operated by various families. In May 2015 the Vincent families purchased El Rancho. Through their efforts El Rancho has been returned to its glory days' condition.

When the Zippriches opened El Rancho in 1954 it could serve 72 guests in the original dining room. From those early years the family business grew through dedication, passion and hard work to become a Colorado landmark. Today El Rancho can serve 332 guests on the main floor dining room and bar, 27 in the private dining room and up to 135 guests in our garden level banquet room. El Rancho is 7,686 feet above sea level. We have six fireplaces. We serve dinner 364 days a year. (We do take Christmas off so our staff can spend quality time with their families.)

We hope you won't just "eat and run". Weather permitting, relax on our western facing deck which boasts having "one of the most photographed views in Colorado"...some go further and make that "in America!" Our aim is to offer good food, good beer, good service and good value to all of our guests.

Thank you for visiting El Rancho where we are family friendly and where the history continues.