Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Kostopulos Dream Foundation – “Camp K”
Camp K near Salt Lake City is a unique, special place designed for people of all abilities. The camp exists to serve, inspire, care for, and make a difference in people’s lives. Since 1967, Kostopulos Dream Foundation (Camp K) has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of all abilities (including those with disabilities) through education, recreation, and growth opportunities.
Camp K is extremely inclusive – serving people of all ages (children/teens/adults), people with cognitive and physical challenges, people with and without disabilities, people from different socio-economic backgrounds, beliefs, religions, and cultures. Campers and staff come to Camp K from all over the United States and the world.
Camp K is located on a beautiful 25-acre property in Emigration Canyon – a hidden peaceful oasis just minutes from the city. Camp K’s facilities include a lodge with offices and dining hall, 6 cabins, 5 yurts, 2 painted tipis, a heated swimming pool, bath house, infirmary, equestrian center, ropes courses, zip line, sport court, activities field, fishing pond, pavilion, paved patio, and fire-pit area, and multiple trails.
Mircea Divricean, President and CEO of Camp K says: “We chose yurts because they look good in a natural setting, and blend very well into the environment. Yurts provide a unique environment for learning – giving the students an opportunity to be inspired, creative, and innovative. The round shape also symbolizes inclusion and diversity – there are no corners. When we gather our campers in a circle, whether it be around a campfire or in a yurt, all feel equal and appreciated.”
When expanding the facilities at Camp K, they analyzed several potential vendors based on products, quality, and reviews. They decided that Colorado Yurt Company sets the standard in working with camps, and Camp K decided to purchase their first yurt in 2013. Camp K/Kostopulos Dream Foundation is a non-profit organization, having received 7 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. This is the highest ranking available, and is awarded based on commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal fitness. Because of Colorado Yurt Company’s reasonable pricing offered to non-profits, and the quality of the products, Camp K gets the best value for the buck.
Mircea says, “Our campers, staff, and families love our yurts! We have used our yurts as gathering and learning spaces for many years. This summer, we have added 2 additional yurts as sleeping quarters. Our campers love the yurts, and are excited when they discover that they will be spending time in them. Families are amazed at how accessible and comfortable they are – they enjoy the rustic feel of the mountains, with a secure, well-lit, climate-controlled sanctuary.”
Camp K has a long history with the Colorado Yurt Company. Mircea says, “From the beginning, the Colorado Yurt team has been very supportive, personable, and responsive to requests. Colorado Yurt has been there for us in emergencies, helped with repairs, and have always been on time and supportive of our needs.”
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Baja AirVentures/Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge
How many of us dream of a sun-soaked beach, spending our days fishing, whale watching, exploring nature and sipping margaritas? Most of us have dreamed it, but Kevin Warren made it a reality. For over 30 years, Kevin has shared his love of Baja and Sea of Cortez with guests at Baja AirVentures and Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge.
In the late 1980s, Kevin started flying surfers to Baja from San Diego for days spent on the unrivaled waves. As the word spread, his guests wanted to include their non-surfing friends in these adventures, and they wanted to have a place to stay overnight. A lease of an existing property worked for a few years, but soon Kevin wanted to own his own private destination on the beaches. He started buying land, eventually accumulating 135 acres of remote, pristine beachfront land on the Sea of Cortez.
Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge opened in 2005, a natural extension of Baja AirVentures. They installed yurts on the beach and prepared them for their guests. Kevin’s team chose yurts because they are durable, charming, low-impact structures that would stand up to the winds off of the sea.
A vacation at Baja Airventures/Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge is a life-changing experience. Guests arrive by plane direct from San Diego to the remote Midriff Island region of the Sea of Cortez. From there, they have a scenic one-hour boat ride past pristine bays, islands and dolphin, whale and bird-filled waters to Las Animas Ecolodge for six-day all-inclusive adventures on this remote, off-grid property. Activities can include: whale watching, bird watching, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, nature walks, surfing, paddle boarding and health and wellness retreats. Accommodations are glamping-style with seven beach-side Colorado Yurt Company yurts equipped with solar showers, toilets, comfortable beds, covered decks and skylight roofs. The yurts are built around the spacious main lodge yurt which offers an expansive deck that serves as a central dining area, game area and communal lounge space. Gourmet meals and guided excursions complete the experience.
Customers love the yurts.
“The yurts are a delight. Private and comfortable (great beds and linens). “Roughing it” was never this much fun! We totally relaxed on our yurt’s covered deck and absorbed the ocean and mountain view. Add a bonfire on the beach every night to spectacular, star- filled skies and you’ve got one happy camper.”
“It’s rare that you feel so completely disconnected and at peace as quickly and easily as at Las Animas. After a beautiful flight in a 6-seater you arrive at sleepy Bahia de Los Angeles and get whisked away in a little boat for an hour until you arrive at your private yurt on the beach – heaven! Greeted by one of the best Margarita’s you will ever have and probably fresh ceviche or fish tacos caught earlier that day, this place is hard to beat.”
Colorado Yurt Company’s partnership with Baja AirVentures & Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge spans almost 15 years. They originally chose us because of our price, delivery arrangements and customer service. Over the years we’ve continued to work with them to keep their yurts in top shape for their guests.
We highly recommend you live your dream of a sun-soaked beach (if just for 6 days) by reserving your vacation at Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge & Baja AirVentures. And, remember to send us photos!
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: The Cedars Ranch
Are you planning a wedding? Do you need some “me” time to relax and rejuvenate? The Cedars Ranch is a new wellness retreat and wedding venue situated among oaks and cedars in the Texas hill country just 40 minutes from Austin.
Bill and Marilyn Orr and their crew have been working hard to be ready for a spring 2019 opening. They’re completing buildings and outdoor spaces that fully embrace the beauty of their surroundings and create a one-of-a-kind destination. The property has indoor and outdoor spaces, including the light-filled Great Hall (seating 200), outdoor tree-lined Plaza (seating 250), high character Event Bar, intimate organic flower Garden and Gazebo, and many outdoor wedding ceremony sites under majestic live oaks.
They also have a beautifully-outfitted thirty-foot Colorado Yurt available as their only on-site accommodation. It’s available to rent by the night, or can be a memorable bridal suite as part of a wedding experience.
The team at The Cedars Ranch wanted a unique structure for their guests. They chose a yurt because it met all the requirements: lighter footprint on the earth, speed of construction, spacious interior and available options. Bonus features are the comforting atmosphere of a round structure and the ability to see the moon and stars through the yurt dome.
The Cedars Ranch yurt interior was designed by a pro (Amy Jameson out of Austin)- incorporating absolutely all the essentials into the 706 square feet. The yurt has a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, dining area, sitting area and a large outdoor deck to extend the living space. They have a mini-split for heating and cooling, and a graceful oversized ceiling fan to move air through the space.
The Cedars Ranch inspired us at Colorado Yurt with the beautiful custom touches they added to the yurt. First, they painted all interior wood white, making for a seamless and clean look inside the yurt. They painted their doors and window frames black, creating drama and a modern design aesthetic. The cool, tranquil color scheme provides respite from the summer heat.
We were happy to help them with this important addition to their business. They said, “Colorado Yurt Company was very helpful. We had questions-many questions- and often. They were patient, helpful and were able to deliver the yurt to us in just a few weeks. We did our research. Colorado Yurt has quality, options, customer service and competitive pricing.”
Their yurt guests have left glowing reviews:
“The eco-yurt was really lovely. The pictures didn’t do it justice! The yurt was comfortable even in the scorching Texas summer. We would highly recommend this experience to anyone!”
“We had a lovely stay in the eco-yurt at Cedars Ranch. It was exactly what we needed- peaceful and relaxing. The yurt was cozy and thoughtfully decorated and had everything you could need. The hospitality and small touches really make this place unique.”
Check out their website and social media for upcoming special events and wedding deals. You can also book their yurt on AirBnB and connect with them on social media @thecedarsranch.
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Needle Rock Farms
When you think of Colorado, you think of mountains, clear blue skies, skiing, hiking, camping, fly fishing and, since 2012, legal marijuana. Despite the easy jokes about high altitude stoners, legal weed and other products are important parts of the Colorado economy and culture. There’s also so much more to legal cannabis than getting high.
One great example is Needle Rock Farms in Crawford, CO. Needle Rock is a large scale grow operation, a premium organic CBD hemp company which grows and produces the finest organic CBD products for health and wellness. They specialize in high CBD – low THC strains, clones, oils, and raw botanical material. Products include balms, tinctures, tablets and even CBD oils for pets.
Colorado Yurts are part of Needle Rock Meditation Sanctuary + Retreat Center, which hosts retreats and events on the farm. Earlier this year, Needle Rock Farm was gearing up for a big international meditation retreat in early May. Everyone on the ranch worked extra hard getting the decks and build site ready… and the yurts were pitched 5 days before the event! It all happened quickly and retreat participants were amazed at how much the yurts added to the meditation center! Day to day, the 30’ yurt is used for yoga, meditation and group gatherings, while the 16’ yurt is a lovely place for guests to sleep.
Julia Desmond, owner and founder of Needle Rock Farms is thrilled with the addition of the yurts. She says, “We LOVE our Colorado Yurts. Everybody likes the look and the feel of the yurts. Our decorations are Asian-Zen inspired – the perfect complement to our international meditation + CBD retreat center.”
She adds, “When we aren’t using our yurts for our retreats, they make a great family gathering place, especially for the holidays. We’re in the process of adding wood-burning stoves to extend their use through the winter months.”
Colorado Yurt Company worked with Needle Rock to select the appropriate options for their yurts, then our crew arrived on site to pitch them. Julia adds, “We chose Colorado Yurt Company because they are the best yurt company available. They came highly recommended and are local! Their staff is very knowledgeable and helped me every step of the way. From the first phone call to the final pitching details, Colorado Yurt Company was wonderful to work with.”
Needle Rock Farms is a leader in a growing industry, making quality products and offering an exceptional spiritual experience to their guests. We’re happy to be a part of this wonderful place, and look forward to their expansion plans in 2019 (more yurts!).
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Tent Living for a Family of Six
Watching the evening shadows move across the wall, listening to an owl in a nearby tree, smelling the rain outside the door. These are all experiences a family in the Pacific Northwest is enjoying while living full time in one of our Cimarron Tents.
Dan and Rachel purchased a small farmstead, with a house that needed serious help. They determined that the house would need a complete remodel, and would be uninhabitable while the work was being done. However, they needed to be on the farm to care for their livestock. That’s when they decided to try tent living.
They have four young children (8, 6, 4 & 2), and have always spent much time outdoors. Rachel says, “Tent living has brought us all closer to nature. This was surprising to us as we are already a very nature-connected family. Living in a house we didn’t realize how many owls live nearby and the subtle differences in their calls. We didn’t know how many coyote bands yip-howl at night, and at what time true dawn begins.”
The choice to live in a tent made sense for the family because it allowed them to save money during the remodel (instead of paying rent). They chose the largest tent we make, (16’x20’) with the upgraded Prostructure vinyl fly. They have mosquito net on the front and back of the tent to enjoy the breeze without inviting bugs inside. Inside the tent, they have a king bed, queen bed, twin bunk beds, 3 dressers, a full-sized table, a lounge chair, trunk, and the wood stove. They built an outdoor kitchen and shower next to the tent.
They chose our hand-crafted, high quality tent because, “We did a thorough review of tents available. Colorado Yurt Company’s tent seemed to be the best constructed. We are the type of consumers who buy the best because we want it to last a long time.” They were happy with the customer service they received, and are thrilled with the quality of the tent. “We like the color of the tent, the way light and shadows come through the walls and ceiling, and the closeness it offers us to nature, the coziness, affordability, and simple living. It heats up quickly as well.”
“It’s a really affordable and peaceful setup to not have power in the tent while right next door we have modern conveniences of power and hot water.”
The experience of living in the tent is something the family believes they will cherish long after their house is complete. “We know this is a unique living situation and believe it will have a positive and memorable impact on our young children.”
They are already thinking of the tent’s future (after the house is finished). “We plan to use the tent, kitchen and shower as either a farm-stay, vacation rental or potentially as an outdoor forest school.”
Follow their adventure on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicallyholisticfarmlife/
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Escalante Yurts
A few years ago, Jan and Scott Roundy showed up at our shop in Montrose, Colorado. They had a plan. The Roundys have land in Escalante, Utah- and in 2015 they had a vision of a yurt glamping destination. The popularity of Grand Staircase National Monument was growing, and their property is perfectly located for vacationers to enjoy all of the sites and activities of Southwest Utah.
Scott was interested in the nuts and bolts (and rafters and lattice) of building the yurts and decks. Jan was interested in ideas for beautiful interiors. They were excited and ready to start their journey.
We worked with Jan and Scott through the planning, ordering and building of their yurts – helping to decide what mix of sizes would accommodate visitors from families to couples to groups of friends. We advised which options would be best for their desert climate and how to design the interiors for guest comfort.
Then, when it was time to pitch the yurts, we sent our best guy to Utah to help.
Jan says, “Colorado Yurt Company has been great! They have great service – they have supported us the whole way!”
Since opening in the spring of 2017, Jan and Scott have built a loyal and enthusiastic customer base. They are sold out most of the year- and their guests leave reviews like these:
My boyfriend and I stayed at Escalante Yurts for two nights towards the end of a cross-country road trip. It was by far the highlight of our trip. The management was outstanding and the yurts and amenities offered far surpassed our expectations. The weather was fairly hot but the AC units did a great job keeping the immaculately decorated yurts cool. If you are planning a trip to the Escalante area, I highly recommend this location. It is worth every penny.
Escalante Yurts was amazing. So, relaxing in the middle of nowhere. Stayed here after a day in Bryce on way to Capitol Reef. Wish we would have stayed a little longer. Owners were great and accommodating. Outside space to relax by fire or swing in hammock was much better than staying in normal hotels. We opened up the sides and enjoyed the night air. Would definitely stay again.
Escalante Yurts is in the process of expanding, adding two new yurts that will be ready for guests in March.
Customer reviews almost always mention Jan and Scott’s warmth and friendliness – which is something we saw the first time they stopped by. The Roundys are a great example having a dream and making it come true with hard work, research and careful planning. We’re just happy to be a part of it.
How to Buy a Yurt: Some Tips from Colorado Yurt Company
You want a yurt. You have some land. You’re ready to jump in and buy one. Then, you see “DuroLast Roof”, “Bender Board”, “Dome Lifter” and “SIPs Deck”- and probably have a lot of questions.
One of our 20′ yurts at Ayanchin Lodge in Mongolia
We’re always happy to answer questions via email or phone, but here are a few quick explanations and suggestions for you:
Most important, you want an engineered yurt. Your yurt should stay strong when the wind blows in the spring or when the snow piles up in the winter. Not all companies make engineered yurts, but EVERY Colorado Yurt is an engineered yurt. Our CORR brackets are standard- so you don’t have to buy an upgrade to get the yurt you need and want.
Our engineered yurts stand up to heavy snow
The rest of our standard yurt package includes one door, three windows, 7’2” lattice wall, rafters, compression ring, clear dome, heavy roof fabric and durable welded-laminate wall fabric. Other companies charge extra for this wall fabric, and don’t offer a color selection like ours. This fabric is the best choice for longevity, durability and seam strength (with welded seams, not sewn).
We offer an array of wall colors
Which upgrades do you need? In our decades of experience, we’ve learned that most yurt customers select these:
- DuroLast roof upgrade (15 year warranty + increased durability)
- Insulation for roof and walls
- Dome lifter (lifts one side of your dome for ventilation)
- Stove pipe outlet
- Extra snow or wind load package (where needed).
Glass windows are a very popular choice, as well as French doors or an extra door.
Engineered yurts need to be pitched on a deck. Every customer has questions about decks. While some build using our suggested plans, others choose a SIPs deck. SIPs is an abbreviation (Structural Insulated Panels). They are a foam insulation center with OSB on each side, creating an insulation “sandwich”. These make a great insulated base under a yurt. They can be installed on a beam system with mobile home piers or on top of a larger deck, creating the necessary raised footprint for the yurt. Finished flooring can be installed right on top of the SIPs.
SIPs deck
Another common question is about bender board. This is a necessary component of the deck, wrapping the round deck with a thin flexible piece of material where the wall fabric attaches and the lattice is contained. We can include it in your order, or you can find it on your own.
Installing bender board
After 42 years of doing this, we have a good thing going. We provide our customers with the best quality yurt and the best buying experience. To learn more about our product differences click here.
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: Brews & Yurts
Yurts and beer. Seems like a perfect combination, doesn’t it? We have two great examples of breweries in our home state who have added a yurt with great success.
Outer Range Brewery in Frisco and Horsefly Brewery in Montrose found themselves with a similar dilemma. They had a popular summer seating area on a patio, but lost it as soon as cold weather started. Both pitched a yurt to solve their seasonal seating shortage.
Outer Range Brewing is a microbrewery that specializes in IPAs and Belgian ales. They opened in December, 2016, with the intent of pairing love for the mountain lifestyle with love of craft beer. Outer Range is in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, with 360-degree mountain views, and six ski resorts within a thirty-minute drive.
Outer Range Brewing yurt on a snowy winter evening
During the summer season, customers can sit on the patio and take in the views surrounding the brewery. In the winter, they can now sit inside the yurt. Emily Cleghorn (one of the owners of the brewery) says, “We wanted a space that could help us with additional seating, and that was authentic to what we love about mountain living.” They’ve hosted private events in the yurt, utilized the extra seating and they even brewed an IPA in the yurt’s honor (The Yurt Life IPA sold out).
Yurt Life IPA
Emily says, “We also chose a yurt because they are very structurally sound. We wanted something that we could put up year after year.” Why a Colorado Yurt? “You guys have been awesome to work with. Brad was proactive in helping us navigate town codes and made the entire process very smooth and enjoyable.” Emily says, “Customers love the yurt! Who doesn’t want to drink beer in a yurt while looking out at epic mountainscapes!”
On this side of the divide, Horsefly Brewing Company was established in 2009 in our hometown of Montrose. They have a full menu and a wide selection of beer on tap. Located in the heart of downtown, Horsefly is a popular restaurant, pub and hangout for locals and tourists.
Horsefly’s yurt on the patio
Winter on the Horsefly patio
Phil Freismuth, owner of Horsefly, says, “In the summer we utilize our outdoor patio to increase sales and provide a more relaxing environment for our customers. Then winter comes, and we lose that extra seating. What we like about the yurt is that it heats up quickly with our natural gas heater, and stays warm all day. When people walk into our yurt they are impressed. It adds approximately 20 more seats during the winter which helps with the bottom line. Many groups have used the yurt for business meetings and private parties because they can go inside, close the door and have privacy.”
Warm, inviting interior of Horsefly yurt
He adds, “Colorado Yurt was great to work with. They made the transaction really smooth. Cliff met with me and explained all the details of the yurt. He then showed up with the yurt and a crew and assembled it for us the first time.”
If you visit one of these brewery yurts this winter, be sure to drink one for the skilled crew that built the yurt- working hard in Montrose. (And send us a photo!)
Looking Forward to 2018 at Colorado Yurt Company
Our 2017 was a year of great changes here at Colorado Yurt Company.
We began the year with one of the biggest changes in our company history. Dan and Emma, the founders and owners of Colorado Yurt Company, took a step back. They spent over 40 years at the helm, taking care of the day to day operations. They paid the bills, made decisions small and large, worked with customers, managed employees and even shoveled the walks.
In January, they handed over much of that responsibility to Doug Severson, newly promoted president of Colorado Yurt Company. We have an experienced management team to help out: Cliff Connaughton (VP of Sales), Henry Wolfe (Production Manager) and Ivy Fife (Marketing Manager).
In the months since Dan and Emma handed over the day to day responsibility, we’ve been impressed with just how much time they spend outdoors with friends. They have enjoyed time with their grandson, traveled a bit, gotten more involved in the community- and we still see them several times a week.
The business thrived this year. We did some large-scale projects in some exciting places, as well making yurts, tipis and tents for families and individuals.
To start the year, we made yurts for a resort in Mongolia. Ayanchin Four Seasons Resort received their yurts in the spring- and sent us some of the most spectacular yurt photos we’ve ever seen. We loved working with them, and hope to hear more in the future about how their guests are enjoying the “American-style” gers (yurts).
Toward the end of the year, we made and installed six new yurts just across the state line at Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah. It was a great project, installing our beautiful yurts overlooking the canyons of Southeastern Utah.
On the tipi side, it was a boom year. We had many camps order multiple tipis early in the year- and summer was full of building tipis for ranches and resorts. Our tipi artist was super busy all summer and fall, creating some spectacular designs for our customers. As the year ended, we kept busy with lots of tipis for family holiday giving.
Our tent business was steady and strong in 2017. We shipped many tents to glamping resorts and campgrounds all over the country. Looking ahead, we already have lots of summer camp work on our schedule for the spring of ’18.
We always like to answer the phone and listen to the stories we hear from our customers. It’s been the way we do business from the start: listening to our customers, learning their stories, recommending the best solutions and making their plans and dreams come true.
As we wind down another year, we’re grateful for our friends, appreciative of our crew and excited to come back and do it all again in 2018.
Colorado Yurt Company Customer Stories: The Views RV Park and Campground
Glamping is a mash-up word of “glamour” and “camping”. Start with the desire to experience the outdoors, add a comfortable bed and flush toilet- and you have glamping. Who can argue with that?
The Views RV Park and Campground in Dolores, Colorado, is in the heart of spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery and pristine desert beauty. Only 50 miles from Durango, 30 miles from Mesa Verde and right next to McPhee Reservoir- they are perfectly situated for adventure of all kinds. On the 42 acre property, Matt and Wendy provide 50 RV spaces, full bath house, free wi-fi and (new in 2017) Colorado Yurt Company’s Cimarron platform tents for glamping comfort and luxury.
They chose the spots and built the platforms for their two safari-style tents to take advantage of the scenery, sunsets and wildlife viewing on their property. The tents are on the edge of the property, but close to the facilities- the perfect combination of privacy and convenience. Their customers have responded with glowing reviews such as: “My husband booked a night in a glamping tent and it was amazing!!! The campground is very, very nice. Very peaceful place, very welcoming and by far better than any motel I have ever stayed in.”
Wendy says, “We wanted to add a unique experience to this area and to our park for people who want to enjoy “getting out” but don’t necessarily have an RV or their own equipment. The feedback has been awesome!!!! Our youngest guest so far was 12 and the oldest was 89! We’re looking forward to meeting more great folks!”
The Views crew had a memorable experience building and pitching the tents. It was a multi-generational process as the decks were built by Wendy’s dad, Matt and their son. Friends and family all came together to pitch the tents, and everyone worked to get the tents furnished and open for guests.
“We chose Colorado Yurt Company first and foremost because of the attention to detail and knowledge of what it takes to build a quality project that will last for years. We love the fact that they are a Colorado company. Any questions we have are answered the same day and the product has exceeded our expectations. We’d love to have more tents soon!”
The fall season is a great time to check out The Views RV Park and Campground. Peak color for aspen leaves is usually the third or fourth week of September. Reserve now to get your home base set for a truly memorable southwest Colorado adventure.
