Cozens Ranch Museum

Cozens Ranch Museum is located along the Fraser River, where Winter Park meets Fraser, across from the Grand Park Recreation Center and next door to Rendezvous Discovery Center.

Cozens Ranch Museum brings to life pioneer times of the late 1800s at the first homestead of the Fraser Valley. Travel back to the days of stagecoach travel and pioneer ranching. See where countless visitors found shelter and food after the arduous journey over Berthoud Pass. The restored buildings at Cozens Ranch Museum are all that remain of a large ranch complex which once covered over seven hundred acres. The museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the only museum in the Winter Park-Fraser Valley region. It’s the “Biggest Little Museum.”

History

cozens ranch museumWhen the stage from Georgetown to Hot Sulphur Springs commenced, the Cozens Ranch was the first stage stop on the west side of Berthoud Pass. Tired, windblown and dirty travelers enjoyed a nice warm thirty-five cent lunch prepared by Mary York Cozens and her daughters.

After a successful career as sheriff of Central City, Colorado – recognized for his courage and honesty, William Zane Cozens moved with his family to the Fraser Valley in 1874. Between 1874 and 1881, structures were completed which provided a family residence, a small hotel, a stage stop, dining room and the first Fraser Valley Post Office. Billy Cozens was appointed postmaster of the Fraser Post Office in 1876 and held the post until he died in 1904. Their large house with six bedrooms served as the hotel. The Cozens family prospered with the day and cattle ranch, the post office, hotel and stage stop.

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Visit Cozens Ranch Museum

Directions from Winter Park: Travel northwest on Highway 40 towards Fraser. Turn Right at the entrance to Rendezvous and take the next Right and the museum in next door to Rendezvous Discover Center.

Directions from Fraser, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs or Kremmling: Travel southeast on Highway 40 towards Winter Park. Continue past downtown Fraser. Shortly after the East Grand Fire Station, turn Left at the entrance to Rendezvous and take the next Right and the museum in next door to Rendezvous Discover Center.

Summer Hours: Monday-Sunday (7 days a week) from 10am to 4pm
Winter Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (closed on Monday & Tuesday) from 10am to 4pm
Admission: $8 adults / $7 seniors / $5 children (6-17) / under 5 is free/ FREE for Grand County Students (with valid ID) / FREE for Members
Location: 77849 US Hwy 40, Fraser, CO 80442
Phone: 970-726-5488