The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Spann family to be recognized for their contributions to the growth of agriculture in the county
By Jan Washburn
Lee and Polly Spann, the leaders of Virgil and Lee Spann Ranches, Inc., have been ranchers and advocates for the livestock industry in the Gunnison basin since the late 19th century.
Lee’s paternal grandparents, the Imoberstegs, began as ranchers in Crested Butte near what is now the Danni ranch after they emigrated from Switzerland in 1878. Olive Imobersteg Spann raised her eight siblings after her mother died when she was a teenager. She married Langdon Spann, who moved into the Upper East River Valley in 1900 from Missouri. Lang and Olive began ranching at Jack’s Cabin, on what is now known as the Y-Ranch, part of today’s Spann Ranches.
Lang and Olive had three boys: Woodard, Aubrey and Virgil. Virgil was Lee’s father who grew up and went to school at Jack’s Cabin. He ranched with his father, and married Lois Spann (Campbell) in 1930. Lois was raised in Gunnison by her grandparents (Ben and Mattie Wright) and attended Gunnison High School and was a Western State Normal School Graduate. After they married, they started their own ranch closer to Crested Butte, but the winters were harsh, so they borrowed money and bought the IVX place west of Gunnison to begin their ranching legacy. They had 100 cows and were well known for hosting community gatherings at Hillside building on McCabe’s Lane.
Virgil and Lois had one son, Lee Spann, in 1933. He grew up ranching and was a member of the first 4-H club in Gunnison. He loved sports, football, high-jump, basketball and skiing, and he was always up for an adventure or some mischievousness. In high school, he met his long-time love, Polly. The first time he asked her out, she turned him down. He said, “Ok, I’ll pick you up at 7.” She was ready for him at 7 and never looked back. Polly was the daughter of Ralph and Marjorie Porter, and was very much a “town girl.” Ralph and Marjorie lived on Colorado Boulevard in Gunnison, where Ralph was the business school administrator for Western State College, as well as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives. Marjorie had a lovely singing voice, which she passed along to her daughter, Polly.
Lee and Polly married in 1953. Almost immediately after being married, Lee was drafted into the Korean War. When he returned, he and Polly began a lifelong adventure of ranching in the Gunnison Valley. They had four children: Ken (Spann), Sandy (Ankenman), Susan (Rivale) and Jan (Washburn).
Lee and Polly dove headfirst into growing the ranching operation, as well as advocating for ranching within the valley and the state. Polly adapted to life as a ranch wife with enthusiasm; riding, irrigating, cooking for branding and hay crews, and she was a charter member of the Gunnison Valley Cowbelles (Cattlewomen). Lee was president of the Gunnison Valley Stockgrowers, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, served on the Colorado River District, the Colorado State Brand Board, charter donors for the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, and now Lee serves on the Pioneer Historical Society Board.
Over the last 145 years the Spann ranch has grown from 100 to 800 cows, and the legacy of the hard work that Lee and Polly put forth can be seen in the lush green hay meadows west of Gunnison, the contented cattle grazing in the Upper East River Valley, and their children and grandchildren who still ranch with them and try to emulate the high standard of stockmanship and community service that Lee and Polly have set throughout their remarkable lives.
