A Legacy of Love: Celebrating Tom Ames' 80th Birthday and the Heart Behind Spruce Mountain Ranch

December 26, 2025

Photography credit: Jensen Sutta Photography

Some venues are just beautiful spaces. Others are built on something deeper—a foundation of vision, hard work, and unwavering values that transform acres of land into a place where love stories unfold, and memories are made. Spruce Mountain Ranch is undeniably the latter.

This year, we celebrated a milestone that reminds us of the incredible journey that brought this Colorado treasure to life: the 80th birthday of Spruce Mountain Ranch’s beloved founder, Tom Ames. To honor this special occasion and the remarkable legacy he and his wife Lois have built, Tom's daughter Tara Ames—Owner and Operator of Spruce Mountain Events—sat down to share a more personal look at the history of our cherished venue, the values that guide us, and the dreams that continue to shape our future.

What began as 450 acres of rolling farmland in Douglas County has blossomed into something far greater than anyone could have imagined: a sanctuary where families gather, couples unite, and communities come together to celebrate life's most meaningful moments. This is the story of how it all began, told by the woman who turned her parents' beautiful canvas into a place where love truly belongs.

Your parents, Tom and Lois, bought the property previously known as Higginson Ranch in 1999. What motivated them to buy the property, and did any of you ever imagine it would turn into what it is today?

Tara: [My parents] were Minnesota farmers by lineage who desired to get closer to their roots. They were raised to learn the importance of land ownership and preservation.

How did Spruce Mountain Events come about?

Tara: Spruce Mountain Events was a dream brought to life and love. Like many businesses, what began as a vision was forged into a reality through hard work, the generosity of many wonderful people, and, most of all, the loving couples who trusted us to provide them with the sacred space where their life’s bond would be formed.

Your guest list size will ultimately be determined by your venue's capacity—after all, you can only invite as many people as your chosen space can comfortably hold. The good news? There may be some flexibility depending on your venue setup and seating arrangements.

In 1999, my parents bought this beautiful five-hundred acres of rolling farmland in Douglas County. They invigorated Spruce Mountain Ranch by making it into a working Black Angus cattle ranch. My mother is a creative genius. By trade, my father is an earthmover who built a highway construction empire. With his bulldozer as his paintbrush, together, Spruce Mountain Ranch became their canvas.

I knew the beauty my parents had created called out to be shared with the love of others. I was an elementary school teacher and single mother of three with an entrepreneurial heart and the certainty that Spruce Mountain was where love belonged. In my classroom, on my desk, was my list of goals. Topping that list was my desire to present a business plan to my parents, where I could open a wedding venue on the Spruce Mountain property.

My parents appreciated my vision, and being the loving and ever-supportive mentors they had been to me all my life, they agreed to lease me a portion of the land. So, I began to “plan my work and work my plan” … having no idea what I was doing. I went from teacher to student overnight. It started small, but I had no time to rest. I had a family to feed.

I worked seven days a week. I learned the truth of the old saying, “running a business is nine-to-five, growing that business is nighttime and weekends.” I had to learn everything. I became an overnight “expert” in doing every job in the business – sales, marketing, event planning, giving tours, executing contracts, and down to cleaning toilets. One of the greatest assets my parents instilled in me was to never be afraid of hard work.

So, I asked a lot of questions of experts in the field. I had many fears surrounding the balance of being a mother and an aspiring businesswoman with a drive to be successful. A lot of scary nights. Setbacks and mistakes were plenty, but ultimately, through patience and listening to the wants and needs of wedding couples, my dream began to take form. Service from the heart was always my beacon on this journey.

What core values do you hope your businesses embody?

Tara: Spruce Mountain Events holds 5 Core Values. We aim to work with integrity, be consistent, be good leaders, be excellent problem solvers, and provide service from the HEART.

What is one piece of advice from your parents that has always stuck with you?

Tara: The wisdom we learn from our parents is truly priceless, and I have been incredibly lucky and blessed to have parents like mine guiding me through life. Here are just a few of the meaningful lessons I’ve carried with me, cherished over the years, and that have helped shape me into who I am and who we are today.

Outwork Everyone. One of life’s greatest advantages is knowing you’re mentally and physically tough enough to outwork your competition. Hard work isn’t something to fear—it’s your edge. Embrace it. It’s how dreams become reality.
You’re Never Alone. No one succeeds alone. There’s always a team behind the scenes. Be kind, be grateful, and always acknowledge those who’ve helped you. Reach back and lift up the next person. Shake their hand. Look them in the eye. Say thank you.
Earn It Honestly. Don’t ask for a free ride. Earn your way. There’s pride in working for what’s yours. Cheating, scheming, or leaning on others won’t build anything worth keeping.
Laugh and Smile Big. Laughter is powerful—and contagious. Don’t take life too seriously. Laugh at yourself, stay optimistic, and trust that things will work out. They always do.
Be Proud to Be an American. We live in the greatest country on earth. Embrace the freedoms others died to give you. Take that opportunity and build something meaningful. Leave your mark.
Family is Everything. God created the bond of family to be unbreakable. Through the highs and lows, they’re the ones who stay. Invest in them. Protect them. Keep your family strong.
Stay Disciplined. Push Through. Life will knock you down—get up fast. Don’t wallow, don’t play the victim, and don’t waste time blaming others. Think critically, solve problems, and stay one step ahead.

What has been your favorite memory since opening Spruce Mountain Ranch and Spruce Mountain Events?

Tara: Some of my most treasured memories have been—and will always be—sharing this stunning property with our community and playing a role in a couple's most cherished day.
I am blessed to work in a business that is dedicated to celebrating love and uniting people. Each event we host is not just a gathering; it’s an opportunity to create lifelong memories that will be cherished for years to come.

What has been your favorite memory since opening Spruce Mountain Ranch and Spruce Mountain Events?

Tara: The journey itself was the proudest moment and accomplishment.
Reflecting on this incredible journey, I am filled with a profound sense of accomplishment. It’s clear now that every ounce of hard work truly paid off, even though the road was anything but smooth.

Starting a business is no small feat; it’s a demanding endeavor that tests your resolve at every turn. Yet, failure was never an option I entertained. The countless sleepless nights and long hours became a testament to my unwavering determination.

Throughout this arduous process, I learned invaluable lessons in endurance and patience. Each decision I faced regarding how to spend my time was a tough one, often weighing heavily on my heart. My family made sacrifices, and friends often found themselves taking numerous “rain checks” as I poured my heart and soul into this dream.

But as I look back on this journey, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing, and I did not do it alone. I had so much love and support, particularly from my parents, the event community, and my hard-working staff. Spruce Mountain has blossomed into a source of joy for so many people, and building it stands as one of my proudest achievements.

What made you and your parents choose Mount Saint Vincent as your charity of choice for your annual fundraisers?

Tara: In the early 90s, my parents attended mass at their church when a nun from Mount St. Vincent’s Home stepped forward to share the mission of this very special charity.
She spoke passionately about the rich history of the organization, which had been a sanctuary since the late 1800s for children who had suffered unimaginable abuse. The weight of her words settled heavily on the hearts of [my parents,] Tom and Lois.

Among the many stories she shared, one particular account had a tremendous impact—a story of a young boy who had once called the home his refuge. Night after night, the nuns discovered him sleeping on the cold, hard floor.

When gently asked why he chose the floor instead of the warmth of a bed, his response shattered hearts: I don’t deserve the bed.

This poignant admission revealed the depths of despair that had enveloped this innocent child. The sheer tragedy of a young soul believing he was unworthy of something as basic as a bed was a chilling reminder of the scars left by abuse.

From that moment on, they were forever changed. They vowed to help these children, and the mission was to ensure that no child would ever feel unworthy of love and comfort again.

In your own words, what do you think makes Spruce Mountain Ranch special?

Tara: Simply, we care deeply about what we do, who we serve, and preserving the land we call home.

What do you envision for the future of Spruce Mountain Ranch and Spruce Mountain Events?

Tara: To continue to build the legacy. Every day, I am thrilled that together with my family, we continue to be honored to serve as the stewards of this piece of heaven here in Colorado. My family and I take great relief in knowing this beauty will be preserved for generations, and this venue will be shared with those who wish to celebrate their love here. Every wedding is meaningful here at Spruce Mountain. When a wedding party comes through our gates, they join our family and become part of the legacy of this majestic mountain that we call home.

A Legacy That Continues to Grow

As we celebrate Tom Ames' 80th birthday, we're not just honoring one man's milestone—we're celebrating the vision, values, and unwavering dedication that transformed rolling farmland into one of Colorado's most beloved wedding and event venues. From Tom's bulldozer serving as a paintbrush to create the landscape, to Lois's creative genius shaping the aesthetic, to Tara's determination to share this beauty with couples in love, every chapter of Spruce Mountain Ranch's story has been written with intention, heart, and an unshakeable commitment to excellence.

The values that guide us today—integrity, consistency, leadership, problem-solving, and service from the heart—aren't just words on a page. They're the legacy of Tom and Lois Ames, carried forward by Tara and embodied by every member of our team who has the privilege of serving couples and families on their most important days.

When you choose Spruce Mountain Ranch for your celebration, you're not just booking a venue. You're becoming part of a story that spans generations, joining a family that believes in hard work, honest values, and the transformative power of bringing people together in beautiful spaces. You're entrusting your most precious moments to a team that understands what it means to pour your heart into creating something meaningful—because that's exactly how this place came to be.

From all of us at Spruce Mountain Ranch, we extend our deepest gratitude to Tom and Lois for their vision, to Tara for her tireless dedication, and to every couple and family who has chosen to celebrate with us over the years. You haven't just attended events here—you've become part of the legacy of this majestic mountain we call home.

Here's to Tom and Lois Ames' extraordinary life, to the next chapter of Spruce Mountain Ranch's story, and to the countless celebrations still to come beneath these Colorado skies.

Ready to become part of the Spruce Mountain Ranch family? Schedule your venue tour today and discover the difference that values, vision, and genuine care can make in your celebration.