(FREEMONT COUNTY, Colo.) — We are the Royal Gorge Region, where Fremont County holds a long-held love of horses and cattle. While the area's ranching lifestyle was a popular one back in the, some say the Western history is becoming just that: a thing of the past. Gary Marchand over at Marchand Ranch, says he's the last real cowboy in his area. You might think you know a cowboy, but Marchand says the modern day cowboy just isn't the same. "The ranch is 24/7," said Marchand. "Them guys (modern cowboys)... I admire them for wanting to come and help and ride and see it, but from the rodeo arena to out here is like night and day. It's a rough and tumble deal. I've been bucked off, I've been run over... everything." He says he's faced 30 below zero temperatures, and snow up to his horses chest. However some things, make the hard times worth it. "It makes me so happy. You go down there and you find a calf that just come out all wet and stuff and flopping around. There isn't anything better or cute. It's nature," said Marchand. Although tough times like the Great Depression called for creative solutions like their saw mill, He says they also put in the first power cables at the Denver International Airport (DIA), plowed the runways there, and did the plowing for E-470 between Brighton and Parker. "We got a plaque from the president that they sent to grandpa, was the last homestead proved up under the Homestead Act. He stuck it out. Everybody else gave up. They sold out, they went to town," said Marchand. As they say, history repeats itself, and the tough times are relentless. "I was worried when I had to sell cows. Good Lord, what am I going to do? How am I going to pay my bills? You can't make any money in cattle anymore," said Marchand. To keep the dream a reality and to keep the livestock around, his daughter now runs a wedding venue on the property. "There's going to be weddings no matter what. Now, as far as the ranch and everything, we'll keep it going. You know, that's one thing. I made a promise to my granddad. I made a promise to my grandmother. It will stay the way it is as long as I'm alive," said Marchand. While he maintains it now, he says the fifth generation has expressed interest in carrying on the tradition. "It'll continue on," said Marchand. "They know that's what I want. As long as they're around, they will keep cattle and stuff here." With the help of a conservation easement, he hopes it carries on for generations to come. ...read more read less