Koshare Museum Outlines Vision for Western Heritage and Education Campus at Former Colorado Boys Ranch

Description: The Koshare Museum explains its acquisition of the former Colorado Boys Ranch, addresses artwork sales and outlines plans for a new Western Heritage and Education Campus... (Photo by Adrian Hart)

Preserving the Past, Investing in the Future: Koshare Museum Outlines Vision for New Western Heritage and Education Campus

LA JUNTA, Colo. — For more than 90 years, the Koshare organization has played an important role in the Arkansas Valley, providing opportunities for young people while preserving and sharing the art, history, and cultural heritage of the American West. Today, the organization is taking definitive steps to ensure that this legacy continues for generations to come.

The recent acquisition of the former Colorado Boys Ranch represents much more than the purchase of additional property. It is a strategic investment in the long-term sustainability of the Koshare Museum, the future of its youth programs, and the educational, cultural, and economic opportunities available throughout southeastern Colorado.

Like many museums across the country, Koshare has faced significant challenges in recent years. Changes in tourism, fewer school groups, declining scout numbers, and rising operational expenses have made it difficult to rely solely on traditional revenue sources. Rather than wait until circumstances forced more difficult decisions, the organization proactively explored ways to diversify and expand its educational mission.

"The former Colorado Boys Ranch offers a rare opportunity to breathe new life into a historic property that has sat largely dormant for years," said Bob Fowler, Chair of the Koshare Board of Directors, "With its existing dormitories, educational buildings, kitchens, and equestrian facilities, the Ranch creates possibilities for youth camps, art workshops, overnight accommodations for groups attending programs and community events that simply don't exist within the museum's current footprint."

In many ways, the histories of the Koshare organization and the Colorado Boys Ranch are deeply connected. Both were built around the belief that young people benefit from opportunities for education, responsibility, and service. The proposed Western Heritage and Education Campus aims to carry that shared mission forward through robust partnerships with schools, 4-H, FFA, and scouting groups.

The campus is also expected to provide new reasons for visitors to come to La Junta, stay longer, and support local businesses into the evening hours. Development will occur in deliberate phases, focusing first on bringing existing facilities back into productive use to create self-sustaining revenue.

Throughout its history, Koshare has had to navigate complex choices to survive. Founder James Francis "Buck” Burshears understood that sustaining the organization's core youth work sometimes required selling artwork and other assets. That practice has continued at various strategic points over the decades to ensure the mission could endure.

The organization recognizes the immense value of its collections and does not take asset management decisions lightly. However, the Koshare began fundamentally as a youth program, and that mission remains central. The ultimate goal is to preserve both the legacy and the treasures entrusted to it, ensuring the institution itself thrives.

"Our goal is not simply to preserve the past, but to build upon it," Fowler added. "We are ensuring that both the Koshare Museum and the former Colorado Boys Ranch continue making a positive difference for years to come."

FACT SHEET

Why did the Koshare organization decide to purchase the former Colorado Boys Ranch?

The decision was driven by two important goals: ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Koshare Museum and creating new educational, recreational, and economic opportunities for the Arkansas Valley.

Over the years, changes in tourism, declining school group participation, reduced Scout traffic, and increasing operating expenses have significantly affected the museum's traditional revenue sources.

The former Colorado Boys Ranch offers an opportunity to address these challenges while expanding the organization's mission. With approximately 372 acres and 41 existing structures, the property provides facilities and opportunities that would be difficult to develop at the museum's current location.

Equally important, the ranch has remained largely dormant for years. The organization recognized an opportunity to bring this historic property back to life and return it to productive use for the benefit of young people and the broader community.

How will the Western Heritage & Education Campus benefit La Junta and the Arkansas Valley?

The campus is envisioned as a regional destination offering educational programs, youth camps, art workshops, equestrian activities, overnight accommodations, and community events.

An important objective is to attract additional visitors to La Junta and encourage them to spend more time in the area.

By providing activities beyond traditional museum hours, including evening programs and special events, the campus could help support local restaurants, hotels, retailers, and other businesses.

The organization also hopes to partner with schools, 4-H, FFA, Scouting organizations, and other groups, providing facilities and resources that will allow them to expand their own educational and recreational programs.

Will the Western Heritage & Education Campus replace the Koshare Museum?

No. The campus is intended to complement and help sustain the Koshare Museum, not replace it.

The museum remains an important part of the organization's identity and mission.

The campus represents an opportunity to establish additional sources of revenue, expand educational programming, and strengthen the organization's financial foundation.

The ultimate objective is to ensure that the museum and its youth programs can continue serving the Arkansas Valley for generations to come.

Why has the Koshare Museum sold artwork?

Throughout its history, the Koshare organization has occasionally sold artwork and other organization-owned assets to support its operations and ensure the continuation of its programs.

This practice dates back to founder James Francis Burshears, who understood that sustaining the organization sometimes required difficult financial decisions.

The artwork and collections accumulated over generations are an important and cherished part of the organization's history. Decisions involving these works are not taken lightly.

However, the Koshare organization began as a youth program, and its fundamental purpose has always been to provide opportunities for young people while preserving and sharing the artistic and cultural heritage of the American West.

The organization's position is that carefully considered decisions involving its assets must be evaluated in the context of protecting that mission and ensuring the institution's long-term survival.

How will the campus be developed and maintained?

The organization intends to develop the property in phases, beginning with existing buildings and facilities that can be returned to productive use.

Initial priorities include overnight accommodation for groups attending programs there, gathering spaces, educational facilities, and areas suitable for community activities.

The long-term vision includes generating revenue through inclusive packages facility rentals, educational workshops, camps, and special events.

Rather than developing the entire property at once, the phased approach is intended to allow programs and facilities to expand as resources and opportunities become available.

What is the organization's long-term vision?

The goal is to preserve two important pieces of southeastern Colorado's history while creating something that serves future generations.

Both the Koshare organization and the former Colorado Boys Ranch have histories rooted in helping young people develop skills, confidence, responsibility, and an appreciation for their communities. By bringing these legacies together, the Western Heritage & Education Campus offers an opportunity to build upon that history while responding to the changing needs of the Arkansas Valley.

The goal is not simply to preserve the past, but to build upon it—ensuring that the Koshare Museum and the former Colorado Boys Ranch continue making a difference in the lives of young people and the Arkansas Valley for generations to come.

• Will this campus replace the Koshare Museum? No. The campus is intended to complement and financially anchor the Koshare Museum, which remains the heart of the organization's identity.
• Property Scale: The former Colorado Boys Ranch property encompasses approximately 372 acres and features 41 existing structures, offering massive infrastructure capacity for regional youth events.
• Phased Development: Initial phases will prioritize opening the overnight accommodations, gathering spaces, and educational facilities before expanding into wider recreational programming.

Community members, organizations, businesses are encouraged to volunteer to help the organization clear the property which has been empty since 2012. People who are not afraid of a chain saw, a pitchfork, mower, vacuum, etc. are welcome. A phone number will be established soon and a website for volunteer sign ups are being created. Watch the media announcements when that becomes available.

The WHEC is not hiring any positions at this time. They are not accepting applications or resumes; that will be announced in the future when there are needs.

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