December 2013 - Colorado Yurt Company

19 Dec 2013

Yurts, Tipis and Tents: Handmade in a World of Mass Production

By Ivy Fife| 2017-07-22T07:34:31+00:00 December 19th, 2013|

Handmade. Custom. Uniquely yours.

There are many ways to communicate what we do at Colorado Yurt Company. But, what it comes down to is this: we don’t have a factory across the globe making our products. Instead, we have talented craftsmen and craftswomen who put their hands on each structure, and craft each element. People often ask where our products are made, and are surprised when we answer- right here in Montrose, Colorado. We’re a small business in a small town in a very beautiful spot in Colorado.

Colorado Yurt Company will not be the same.

Colorado Yurt Company offices in Montrose, CO

In a world where retailers are talking about drone deliveries and products are stacked to the ceiling in chain stores, we are a rarity. We aren’t against modernization and technology- we just prefer to maintain a personal touch- with quality, customization and professionalism in everything we do.

Maya has been sewing in our tipi/tent department for over 7 years

Each of our options is chosen with quality in mind. That means a handcrafted door on each yurt. That means windows placed to maximize the view and breezes on your land. That means hand painting each design on your tipi and each tent fly finished by hand.

Marina cuts fabric for a new tent

We work with each customer to decide what options are best for their yurt, tipi or tent. That’s why we don’t have an online order form. It’s a conversation when you order. We ask where you live, how you are using your dwelling and often learn a lot about you. It’s the start of a relationship in many cases. After that, we schedule the crafting of the structure in our shop.

Brandon works on a valance for a yurt

After the process starts, we build what you’ve ordered. We don’t have inventory of yurts, tipis and tents in a warehouse ready to ship out. We make each one – with your fabric choice, your options and your special requests written on each work order. It has your name on it from start to finish. When there is any question, one of our crew members walks across the shop to the office and asks whomever you talked to on the phone.

Rick (shipping) and Donald (sales) confer on a shipment

We always like to hear from customers after the sale, too. We share feedback with the whole company. Our crew especially likes to hear stories of how the yurt, tipi or tent is being enjoyed. We believe we aren’t just making canvas structures, but we are making dreams come true.

Chris and Jerry start the hand-finish on a door

We understand the culture of bargain hunting that is prevalent in our culture. However, we also believe in delivering the best product possible, at the most competitive prices while giving our valuable employees a living wage and utilizing their unique skills.

Anna has worked in our yurt department for over six years

As another year winds down, we look forward to a growing number of people who agree with us.

11 Dec 2013

Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Two Yurts make Hunting Camp Dream Come True.

By Ivy Fife| 2013-12-11T20:03:11+00:00 December 11th, 2013|

This blog is written by a recent yurt customer in Colorado.

A few years ago I purchased some wilderness land in Northwest Colorado, primarily as an investment. I’m a city boy, having been raised in Chicago and never exposed to camping or rugged outdoor adventures. I was surprised to find how attracted I became to the wilderness.

To sate my appetite for my new found love of being in the woods, (hiking and tracking elk herds and deer, discovering grouse leks and the serenity of dense Aspen groves and majestic stands of Douglas Fir), I bought a wall tent. Then two wall tents, then a cook fly, then camping trailers. Well, you get it, I was hooked.

While we ended up with a very adequate hunting camp, I wanted to upgrade so I could easily live and entertain in complete comfort while still respecting the natural beauty and serenity of the land. The obvious choice to me was a rustic but somewhat plush cabin or even a multi-room house.

Factoring in solar power, water, septic systems, lumber, and so many other things, I couldn’t justify putting that much money into my passion. Then, a wise friend suggested the idea of yurts. As they say, “The rest is history”.

While my ignorance was complete, I started investigating on-line and quickly realized that Colorado Yurt Company was by far my manufacturer of choice. My land is high altitude and gets heavy, consistent snows, so I needed a very strong yurt. The Winter Stout Alpine Yurt completely fit the bill. A visit to Colorado Yurt Company headquarters in Montrose, Colorado confirmed my decision.

By working together with Colorado Yurt Company and my family, our plans evolved to joining two thirty foot Winter Stout Yurts- allowing for large kitchen, bath, mud and laundry, plus a private master bedroom along with a charming bunk area.

Colorado Yurt Company designed the connection between the yurts, helped us pitch them, and they have been helpful throughout the process.

Sure, we ended up with an attractive, economical, fully functional and well-engineered structure, but the real reward is the almost indescribable charm and literal joy of what I call the “Yurt experience”. For my money, Yurts are the perfect way to enjoy living in exotic places.