Beer, Bands, and Barbed Wire Strands - Gunnison, CO

Event Start Date: 5/15/2026 5:00 PM

Event End Date: 5/16/2026 10:00 PM

📍 I Bar Ranch | Gunnison, CO 
📅 May 15–16, 2026 

The 4th annual Beer, Bands & Barbed Wire Strands is our signature family friendly stewardship event of the year and one of BHA’s largest habitat restoration and public lands gatherings!

Held at the historic I Bar Ranch in Gunnison, this annual weekend festival brings together public landowners, volunteers, conservation partners, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the state to roll up their sleeves, give back to the land we love, and celebrate the power of the public lands community. 

This event is equal parts hard work and good times. Participants will work alongside agency partners, BHA staff, and the Colorado BHA Chapter to remove barbed wire fencing and restore wetland habitat, improving wildlife connectivity and on-the-ground conservation outcomes on public land. When the work wraps up, the celebration begins with live music, dinner, cold beers, bonfires, sponsor booths, games, and sweepstakes giveaways. 

What to Expect: 

• Hands-on habitat restoration alongside agency partners and BHA staff, including barbed wire fence removal and a possible wetland habitat improvement project to enhance wildlife connectivity on public lands

  • Volunteers will receive some stewardship swag and goodie bags  

  • Lunch will be provided

  • Volunteers will be entered in to win an exclusive sweepstakes for gear from our sponsors 

• Live music presented by Bard Edrington V & The Blackbirds 

• Bonfires, onsite camping, and fireside music 

• Friday night wild game potluck 

• Vendor booths, games, and sweepstakes giveaways from our valued sponsors 

This event is open to BHA members and non-members, and all proceeds directly support BHA’s work to protect public lands, wildlife habitat, and access across Colorado and beyond. 

Two Ways to Participate

• Volunteer for the stewardship event only  

  • Volunteer appreciation items  

  • Food  

  • Entry into volunteer only sweepstakes  

• Purchase a $20 ticket which gets you everything 

  • Camping Friday and Saturday  

  • Food  

  • Music ticket  

  • Friday night’s Wild game potluck  

  • Ticket entry into greater sweepstakes  

  • Providing funding support for BHA’s conservation work 

🗓️ Schedule 

Friday, May 15 gates open at 5:00 (Optional)  

• Camp setup (bathrooms and running water available onsite...no camper hookups) 

• Wild game potluck 

• Bonfire and fireside music 

Saturday, May 16  

• Breakfast and coffee onsite 

• Event check-in and safety briefing 

• Stewardship projects in the field until mid-afternoon 

• Dinner back at the I Bar Ranch 

• Live music 

• Special guest speakers 

• Vendor interactions and games 

• Sweepstakes prize giveaways 

Sunday, May 17 

• Morning cleanup 

• Head out

Camping & Lodging 

• Onsite camping available at I Bar Ranch (included in your $20 ticket)

• Bathrooms and running water provided 

• Participants may also choose to stay in nearby lodging in Gunnison 

More detailed logistics will be shared with registered attendees ahead of the event.