Stylish Stewardship

When Bud and Betsy Knapp fell in love with a parcel of land near Vail in the early 1990s, they began a 25-year undertaking that would evolve into more than just a home and space for friends and family to gather. Their efforts turned into a working ranch and environmental center located at 9,000 feet. “Owning land comes with the responsibility to protect it,” says Bud Knapp. “It’s our belief that appreciation and accountability to the environment are obligations to our future.” Living Beneath the Colorado Peaks: The Story of Knapp Ranch (The Knapp Press), chronicles the evolution and architectural design of the property, and details how the family plans to protect its future. Written by the Knapps and Aspen resident Sarah Chase Shaw, with photos by Vail-based Todd Winslow Pierce, the book is a beautiful addition to high-country coffee tables and bookshelves. Find it at the Bookworm in Edwards, Gibbs-Smith.com or KnappRanch.com.