The story begins in the 1880s when Aspen was born as a mining town. Joshua Deane came to town as an attorney for the mining companies and stayed on, serving as Pitkin County judge for many years. From then on, he was known as Judge Deane. He married a beautiful young opera singer, Lottie Crukshank, and started a family.

Over the years, their grandson, Had Deane, visited frequently from Chicago. At the age of 28, Had decided to retire out west and searched for a wife who would love Aspen as much as he. He chose Lou, a young stage actress, who played leading lady and feature roles on Broadway in New York City and was under contract to Universal Studios.  

In September of 1938 they married, came to Aspen and bought the ranch on Maroon Creek, which they later named the T-Lazy 7 Ranch. The early years were chaotic and fun. Despite a fire that destroyed their first cabin and all their possessions on Christmas Eve, they eventually built a series of cabins and ranch houses. So many friends came to visit and horseback ride through the scenic Maroon Creek Valley, that they eventually started a guest ranch business.

Had loved horse trading and would spend several months a year in Texas purchasing horses. Their three sons - Tony, Buck and Rick - all worked the ranch, breaking colts and guiding guests on overnight pack and fishing trips.

With opera singing and theatre in their background, it was only natural that the Ranch fell into the movie scene. A movie company had already rented the Redstone Inn and planned to film “Red Stallion of the Rockies” there. When the director arrived, a local resident suggested he look at Maroon Bells for shooting possibilities. On the way to the Bells, he stopped at the ranch to ask for directions. Lou met him at the door and exclaimed, “My God, what are you doing here?” He was a friend from her movie days. Shortly after, Had arranged to contract the stock, horses, buses for the crew, lodging at the ranch and food for crew lunch.

After “Red Stallion” came “Devil’s Doorway” starring Robert Taylor. Had not only contracted all the services, he provided 51 Indians as extras. Lou commented that “she and her mother ended up doing the dishes. We’d hire people to wash the dishes, then the next day they’d be extras, out there riding horses and making lots more money.”

Tragedy as well as glamour is a part of life at the T-Lazy 7 Ranch. Son Tony was killed in 1958 in an avalanche while on a rescue mission while training with the U. S. Ski Team in Utah. Years later in 1962 Had Deane died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 50. The colorful Lou Deane, called the “soul” proprietor of the Ranch, died in 1993.

The ranch continues to host western festivities and events for guests. In the winter, there are sleigh rides through the Maroon Creek Valley and western dinner dances at the lodge. In the summer, the hills are filled with guided trail rides and overnight pack trips and the western dinner dance is held creekside at the outdoor Chuckwagon Grounds.