Valley rancher awarded CO CattleWoman of the Year

The Custer County Cattlewomen are proud to announce that Sara Shields has been honored as the 2025 Colorado CattleWoman of the Year, recognizing her lifelong dedication to the beef industry, agricultural education, and land conservation.

A third-generation rancher, Sara carries forward the legacy of her family’s San Isabel Ranch, homesteaded in 1872 by her great-grandfather here in Westcliffe. From a young age, she was horseback and active in every aspect of ranch life—from animal health and irrigation to haying and range management.

Sara is a graduate of Colorado State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science and a master’s in Beef Industry Leadership. Her professional journey began with the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, where she lobbied on behalf of agricultural and rural communities at both the state and federal levels.

For decades, Sara has played an active role in promoting beef and supporting youth engagement in agriculture. She has worked tirelessly at the Colorado State Fair and National Western Stock Show since 1989, and continues to serve as a mentor and educator to young cattle producers. A former 4-H club leader, she remains involved in youth development through showmanship clinics and leadership training.

Most recently, Sara helped launch the Colorado CattleWomen’s Beef Ambassadors Program, which teaches youth vital communication and advocacy skills to promote the beef industry. She and fellow advocate Sudzy Benesch led the program’s inaugural workshop at the Colorado CattleWomen and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association joint convention in Steamboat Springs.

Beyond her work in the beef industry, Sara also serves her community as a pastor’s wife and continues her family’s conservation legacy. In 2003, the Shields family placed the San Isabel Ranch in a conservation easement, ensuring the preservation of Colorado’s natural resources and working landscapes for generations to come. Sara continues this stewardship today as a board member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust.

The Custer County Cattlewomen extend a heartfelt congratulations to Sara Shields for her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and lifelong commitment to Colorado agriculture. We are beyond proud to have her in our “herd.”

– Press release by the Custer County Cattlewomen