A Highlands Ranch family has turned their suburban home into something more than just a residence. It’s a living gallery, a testament to the history of the American West and the relationships in their lives. Floor to ceiling, the walls are covered with images of sweeping plains, majestic buffalo, and rugged cowboys—each piece a thread in the tapestry of their story. This collection is not just about art; it is about connection, heritage, and the enduring spirit of the West.
At the heart of this collection is a passion for Western art inherited from the family patriarch.Unlike many collectors who purchase art for its aesthetic value or popularity, his approach to collecting was deeply personal, prioritizing relationships with the artists themselves. “We’ve never just bought art,” one family member says. “We get to know the artists, their stories, their inspiration. Some have become close family friends.”
For the uninitiated, it’d be easy to dismiss this genre as kitschy or simply on-trend thanks to “Yellowstone” popularity. Lest you think Western art is of a bygone era.
“Dad kind of had a rule that he didn't want to buy a piece of art unless he got to know the artist and liked them. Almost all artists are contemporaries, and we have become friends with them.”
Their father’s serious collecting began at the Out West Art Show in Great Falls, Montana. This annual event introduced them to some of the most talented Western artists, including members of the Skull Society associated with the C.M. Russell Museum. Over the years, they cultivated relationships with artists like Kyle Sims, Chad Poppleton, Jill Soukup, and Mark McKenna, acquiring works that spoke to their experiences and values. Among the most cherished pieces is a buffalo sculpture by Parker sculptor Stephen Leblanc, a proof of the sculpture at the entrance of CU Boulder’s football stadium, their alma mater.
The collection, spread between their Highlands Ranch home and their farmhouse on the Colorado plains, showcases the rugged beauty of the West and its way of life. As avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, they live in harmony with the land that has inspired so many of the works they treasure.
“Our collection tells our family’s story,” they explained. “Every piece carries a memory, a connection to a moment in time.”
“See the two leather reclining chairs in there? We put those in there so we can actually go in and sit and look out across the prairie by the artist Kyle Sims,” he says.
Their son was raised surrounded by works of art from a young age and developed an appreciation and respect for the collection’s significance. Their collection demonstrates their commitment to hard work and the refined living that follows.
This collection is more than just a visual display — it’s a narrative woven through generations. The family members catalog and preserve the history behind each piece. This shared appreciation ensures that the artistic legacy remains intact before any thoughts of public auction arise. Many friends and extended family members now own works of art from the original collection.
Beyond their collection, the stories reflect their passion for keeping history alive. “Art and history go hand in hand,” they said. “It’s about preserving moments, ensuring the stories don’t fade.”
Future plans include backyard renovations to incorporate outdoor art and extending the collection beyond the walls of their home as an ongoing commitment to engaging with the art rather than merely owning it. However, these wouldn’t be the first significant home renovations in service of these works. When the family patriarch passed away and bequeathed his collection to his children, this family remodeled their entire home to accommodate just a portion of the massive collection.
“Our home isn’t just decorated with art,” they said. “It’s history—our family’s history and our community’s collective history. When I walk past a painting, I don’t just see an image. I’m reminded of the process of selecting the piece, the connections fostered, and the story lived. That’s what makes it all so meaningful.”
Through brush strokes, bronze sculpting, and careful curation of each piece, these local collectors have created more than an art collection—they have built a legacy. The Western spirit, alive in every painting and sculpture, bridges the past, present, and future through the power of connection and storytelling.