Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs prepares for first full season since 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- After a limited reopening last year, the popular Flying W Ranch, a tourist attraction and local institution, plans to be back in full swing for the upcoming season.

The ranch, founded by Russ Wolfe in 1953, was destroyed by the Waldo Canyon Fire in June of 2012.

Ranch staff spent the following eight years rebuilding and improving drainage to protect the property from flooding by rainfall on the adjacent mountain slopes left bare by the flames.

The ranch reopened last June and operated through the end of September. This year, president and owner Leigh Ann Wolfe says that the ranch will open on May 21st and welcome visitors through September 30th.

"We normally averaged 120,000 in average annual attendance before the fire," she said. "Last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, only 17,000 came. But everyone was just so happy that we were open again."

The ranch has a new, larger dining and event center which serves the trademark, hearty chuckwagon meals. A new seating area, with chairs and tables made from trees, is located in front of a new stage where the Flying W Wranglers band will play country-western music.

A new addition to the ranch attractions are four endangered Devon cattle, which came from England with the Pilgrims in 1623. The large beasts provided meat, milk and work, and were used by pioneers and settlers during the nation's westward expansion.

Returning for the first time since the fire is the ranch train, which was protected from the fire because it was parked in its tunnel. The train now has new tracks and will provide rides for guests.

The ranch staff is gradually rebuilding "The Village," a collection of exhibits that burned in the fire.

For more information about the ranch, visit: https://www.flyingw.com/.