Alpacas With A Purpose

About Stargazer Ranch

Colorado Alpacas

Stargazer Ranch began operations in 1998 with the purchase of 20 irrigated acres, on a ridge overlooking the scenic Big Thompson River Valley and the city lights of Loveland and Fort Collins, Colorado. Initially, we were content with our our plans to breed and refine Appaloosa horses. That was... until we were introduced to alpacas. Since alpacas came into our lives, we have been charmed by these unique creatures and the industry that has developed around this prized livestock imported from South America.

Stargazer Ranch started as Cindy's wish to get out of the city and pursue her third career goal of becoming a cowgirl (now paca pal). Preferring to hang out with her appaloosa's instead of traveling around the country for her own consulting and training business. Raising alpacas has contributed a great deal to enable us to work at home on the Ranch. Husband John still stays busy helping on the ranch, building, remodeling, and real estate.

Upon learning of the financial and tax advantages of raising livestock we decided that alpacas were the perfect addition to our pastures and mountain vistas. We made the decision to raise alpacas because of their gentle nature and enjoyable personalities. What began as a common sense tax shelter a few short years ago has turned into an almost full-time endeavor running a full service facility with top quality Herd Sires and Bloodlines.

Initially we started out with a few Huacaya and Suri females and have since switch to raising only Huacayas. The reason for the change was mainly due to the complexities of  accommodating both breeds at the herd size needed to accomplish our goals.  We usually have over 50 alpacas that we care for on a daily basis. Although much of our herd consists of championship bloodlines and top breeding stock, we also enjoy helping "fiber only" interests and 4-H projects with easily affordable alpacas.

Along with a couple part-time helpers, we spend our day on animal husbandry, mentoring new breeders and taking time for our farm store visitors and We haven't tired yet of helping others learn about these captivating creatures.

Colorado Alpacas

Many consider Colorado the birthplace of the US alpaca industry. Many of the first alpaca imports ended up in Colorado. This was largely due to the large llama breeder population in the Rocky Mountains. Since caring for alpacas is so similar to llamas, alpacas were very accepted in Colorado.

Beginning in the early 1990's an industry started to develop. Since Colorado had one of the largest alpaca populations through the 1980's and 1990's, much of the industry development was due to the efforts and foresight of the early Colorado alpaca/llama breeders. The North American alpaca marketing association, Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, (AOBA), was formed in Colorado and the association headquarters was initially located been located in Estes Park. The first two national alpaca shows were held during the Estes Park Wool Market until it out grew the facilities.

The Alpaca Registry (ARI), was also formed in Colorado. One of the issues that plagued the llama industry was the lack of verifiable parentage. ARI was designed to take advantage of available technology in DNA testing to assure parentage and acceptance into the registry. Today ARI is one of the most successful livestock registries in the world and is used as a model for new registries starting in Europe and Asia

Being the second or third largest populations of alpacas in the US the Colorado alpaca industry remains in the forefront of the US and international community. We've been part of industry development from ground zero. The long term Colorado alpaca breeders are very cognizant of the tremendous advancements attained in the industry and have continued to be among the most successful breeding programs in the US. Colorado's long and extensive alpaca background has also produced many of the AOBA Certified Judges.

The large Colorado alpaca community and the association with Colorado State University has played a very large role in the care, breeding and genetic development. Largely, through the commitment and  dedication of Dr. La Rue Johnson who had taken up the camelid cause in the 1970's.  References to his work can be found in every research bibliography pertaining to N. American Camelids.

When Dr. Johnson retired from teaching at Colorado State University in the late 1990's, a big hole in was left in the Colorado and US alpaca community. That hole has since been filled by the veterinary research and dedication of Dr. David Anderson, KSU; Dr. Ahmed Tibary, WSU; and Dr. Norman Evans, who through his private practice in KY has undoubtedly set the standard for alpaca health and husbandry in the US.

We are also very appreciative and thankful for the help and support that we receive from our Northern Colorado veterinary team. Most notably, Dr. Richard Wheeler, Fort Collins, who is one of the few board certified theriogenologists (Reproductive Specialists) working in the US camelid arena. He keeps our momma's reproductively sound and our bottom line in the black.  Dr. Barbara Roberts, Loveland, CO a small ruminant specialist, who keeps our herd and crias healthy and growing. Dr. Shawn Bott, Greeley, CO who is the go-to guy when all else fails for his extensive knowledge and willingness to think outside the box. We've increasingly come to appreciate Dr. Tim Thompson, Platteville, CO, due to his extensive experience and knowledge of ruminant metabolism and on-farm surgical experience. Do you think we've covered all the areas of alpaca care?  Not without special recognition to Dr. Tim Holt and Dr. Kerri Belsito, who both have pitched in to help with some difficult and unusual trauma and illness problems.  We are very lucky to have the local resources produced by Colorado State University VTH.  As we meet breeders around the country we see this level of support is becoming more commonplace. It just seems to follow the pattern of starting in Colorado first.

Whether you are looking to get started raising alpacas or to add proven quality genetics you need to consider going to the source, Colorado. Stargazer Ranch and our customers have always been among the premier breeders in Colorado.