Silver Cliff Ranch
About Silver Cliff Ranch
Silver Cliff Ranch gives youth, families, and nonprofit groups a place to breathe for a while, with cabins, lodges, a dining hall, a gym, and a hot springs-fed pool near Buena Vista, Colorado. The draw is not just the setting, it is the way stays help keep reduced-rate access available for nonprofits serving underserved youth. If you care about giving kids and families room to rest, learn, and explore, this is the kind of place that turns a getaway into support for more than one group at a time.
What sets Silver Cliff Ranch apart is the mix of a mountain retreat setting with a hot springs-fed pool, a full-size gymnasium, a historic Opera House, and a range of lodging options for groups and families. Its stay revenue also helps make reduced-rate access possible for nonprofits serving underserved youth.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Year-round group lodging and retreats
Cabins, lodges, and platform tents for summer adventures, ski weeks, weekend retreats, reunions, and group stays.
Family lodging
Private lodges and cabins for families with children, including seasonal lodge rentals.
Fitness retreats
Yoga, pilates, athletic training, pool use, and custom meals for retreat groups.
Dining services
Onsite meals in the dining hall, with customizable menus and accommodations for dietary needs and restrictions.
Recreation and event facilities
Hot springs-fed pool, full-size gymnasium, Opera House, game room, and space for swimming, basketball, performances, dances, receptions, and parties.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Silver Cliff Ranch provides a safe and welcoming place for youth and families to rest, learn, and joyfully explore through positive outdoor experiences and authentic interactions.
Who they serve
Youth and families, especially church youth groups, youth development and educational nonprofits, groups that support underserved youth, and other groups seeking retreat lodging and recreation.
Their impact
- more than 300 visitors attended the Trick or Treasure Hunt in the prior year
- Eric and Leta Dahlberg made thousands of meals during their years managing the camp
How your donation helps
- Reduced rates for nonprofit groups that serve youth in foster care
- Reduced rates for nonprofit groups that serve youth from urban backgrounds
- Reduced rates for nonprofit groups that serve youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Reduced rates for nonprofit groups that serve youth from the juvenile justice system
- Discounts for nonprofits that serve underserved youth
- Support for nonprofit partners that provide summer camp experiences for underserved youth
Our story
The property goes back to the late 1800s. It was built in 1950 as a Young Life summer camp location, and since 1984 it has operated as a nonprofit summer group rental facility hosting faith-based groups from across the country. Eric and Leta Dahlberg managed the camp from 1984 until 2022.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Silver Cliff Ranch’s services.
Groups contact Silver Cliff Ranch for availability and pricing to book cabins, lodges, platform tents, meals, pool time, gym space, and event facilities. The ranch serves youth groups, nonprofits, families, and other groups seeking retreats, trips, and family getaways.
In their words
We love being in Colorado. An enclosed gym and game room, as well as a pool is incredible.
Events
Trick or Treasure Hunt
annualA fall event with live music, an Oktoberfest dinner, carnival games, candy, prizes, and pool access, with proceeds supporting nonprofit partners that provide summer camp experiences for underserved youth.
Victors of the Valley Basketball Tournament
2024A 3-on-3 basketball tournament with adult and teen divisions, concessions, cash and prize incentives, and pool access for participants.
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of groups can reserve Silver Cliff Ranch?
Youth groups, nonprofits, families, church groups, coworkers, and other groups can reserve lodging and retreat space.
What lodging options are available?
The ranch offers rustic cabins, private lodges, and platform tents for groups of different sizes.
What meal services are available?
The dining hall serves onsite meals with customizable menus and options for dietary needs and restrictions.
What recreation spaces are available?
Groups can use the hot springs-fed pool, gymnasium, game room, and Opera House for recreation, sports, and events.
How does the ranch support underserved youth?
Fees from stays help provide discounts to nonprofit groups that serve underserved youth, including youth in foster care, youth from urban backgrounds, youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and youth from the juvenile justice system.
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