A sprawling Colorado ranch that once served as the summer retreat and training ground for Thunder, the legendary live mascot of the Denver Broncos, has sold for $23 million.
Known as Triple Creek Ranch, the 254.6-acre property sits just north of Silverthorne in Summit County, tucked into a private mountain setting along the Gore Range. The estate combines two substantial log lodges, professional equestrian facilities, trout ponds, mountain views and direct proximity to some of Colorado’s most sought-after outdoor recreation.
The sale also closes an unusual chapter in the property’s history. Sharon Magness Blake and her husband, Ernie Blake, who owned Triple Creek Ranch since 2003, retired last month from their three-decade association with the Broncos’ Thunder program. The ranch had been where the Arabian horses were trained and spent their summers before appearing at Broncos home games.
For CaliforniaLuxuryHouses, the transaction is notable not simply because of its $23 million price tag, but because Triple Creek Ranch represents the increasingly rare category of trophy mountain properties that combine serious acreage, luxury accommodations, equestrian infrastructure and a genuine piece of American sports history.
A $23 Million Ranch With a Broncos Legacy
Thunder has been part of the Denver Broncos experience since 1993, when the first Arabian horse took to the field to celebrate the team’s touchdowns.
Over the following 34 seasons, the Thunder Spirit team—led by Sharon Magness Blake, Ernie Blake and longtime rider Ann Judge—helped turn the horse into one of the franchise’s most recognizable symbols. The Broncos officially announced in August 2026 that the team was retiring, while confirming that the Thunder program itself would continue with a new team.
“It’s been a privilege,” Magness Blake said when the Broncos announced the retirement of the Thunder Spirit team. Ernie Blake added that it was “a terrific seat for all of the games.”
The Broncos organization also paid tribute to the couple and their team, describing Thunder as an iconic part of the club’s gameday experience and community outreach.
That timing makes the sale of Triple Creek Ranch particularly fitting. The property is leaving the Blakes’ ownership just as they step away from one of the most distinctive chapters of their professional lives.
The ranch was not merely associated with Thunder in name. Its equestrian infrastructure was purpose-built to support serious horse operations, and Thunder Lodge itself served as a home and training base for the Arabian mascot.
The Blakes Bought the Ranch in 2003
The ownership history of Triple Creek Ranch stretches back well before its recent $23 million sale.
Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake purchased the roughly 254-acre property in August 2003 for $10.45 million, according to contemporary reporting from the Summit Daily News. At the time, the property included four buildings and a support structure.
Magness Blake already had deep roots in the Arabian horse world. Before acquiring Triple Creek Ranch with Ernie, she had trained Thunder and other Arabian horses at another Colorado ranch she had owned with her first husband, cable television pioneer Bob Magness, who died in 1996.
The couple subsequently transformed Triple Creek into a sophisticated mountain retreat while maintaining its working-ranch character.
The property was established in the early 1990s, and the two principal lodges were constructed from reclaimed logs. According to current marketing material, both recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation.
The result is a property that occupies an unusual position in the luxury market: part private mountain compound, part equestrian estate and part piece of sports history.
Two Log Lodges and 12 Bedrooms
At the heart of Triple Creek Ranch are two substantial log residences known as Thunder Lodge and Elk Lodge.
Together, the lodges provide 12 bedrooms, allowing the property to function not only as a private family retreat but also as a destination capable of accommodating large groups.
The homes combine traditional Rocky Mountain architecture with updated interiors. Reclaimed timber, stone fireplaces and expansive windows give the residences the character expected of a Colorado mountain retreat, while renovated kitchens, contemporary furnishings and modern systems bring the property into the luxury-estate category.
The current property records list approximately 7,284 square feet of living area, while the ranch encompasses 254.6 acres. The two lodges sit above the ranch’s landscaped grounds and three trout ponds, with expansive views toward the surrounding mountain ranges.
Hall and Hall’s marketing describes the ranch as a private retreat with accommodations designed for both solitude and entertaining. The lodges overlook the ponds and surrounding mountains, while the property’s location places Arapaho National Forest and Eagles Nest Wilderness immediately beyond the ranch’s private acreage.
For an owner seeking privacy, that setting may be as important as the buildings themselves.
An Equestrian Estate Built for Serious Horsemen
Triple Creek Ranch’s equestrian facilities distinguish it from many luxury mountain estates.
The ranch includes a roughly 12,800-square-foot enclosed and heated indoor riding arena, a 10-stall horse barn equipped with automatic waterers and extensive internal riding trails. Thunder Lodge also has two additional horse stalls with individual turnouts.
There is additional agricultural and operational infrastructure, including a 10-bay equipment garage, a ranch manager’s residence, a children’s play cabin and other outbuildings.
Irrigated meadowland adds to the property’s working-ranch credentials. Hall and Hall notes that approximately 13 acres of hay meadow are irrigated, while a larger sprinkler system services important portions of the property.
This is a meaningful distinction in the luxury ranch market. Triple Creek was not created as a decorative country estate with a few ornamental stables; its infrastructure was developed around horses, land management and an active rural operation.
That history is reflected in the property’s connection to Thunder.
For more than three decades, the ranch was part of the behind-the-scenes preparation for a horse that millions of Broncos fans knew primarily from his dramatic gallop across the football field.
Three Trout Ponds and a Private Mountain Setting
Beyond the buildings and equestrian facilities, the landscape provides another layer of appeal.
Three trout ponds sit below the lodges, while several creeks move through stands of aspen, pine and willow before flowing toward the Blue River. The property derives its name from the three tributary creeks that converge within the ranch to form the head of Rock Creek.
Mountain views extend toward the Gore Range, while the surrounding Arapaho National Forest and Eagles Nest Wilderness reinforce the feeling of being surrounded by protected Colorado landscape.
Wildlife is also a recurring part of the property’s appeal. The combination of forest, meadow, water and open acreage creates a habitat that is considerably different from the increasingly developed residential pockets around Summit County.
It is the sort of setting where the luxury is less about conspicuous architectural spectacle and more about controlling a large piece of mountain landscape.
From a $26 Million Listing to a $23 Million Sale
Triple Creek Ranch had a long journey through the luxury market before finally changing hands.
The property was listed for $26 million in July 2023, according to contemporary reporting.
The asking price was subsequently reduced to $24.5 million. Public property records show that the ranch ultimately sold on Aug. 25, 2026, for $23 million.
The final sale price was therefore approximately 6% below the most recent $24.5 million asking price.
The property had actually been marketed on and off for considerably longer. Mansion Global reported in 2018 that Triple Creek Ranch was being offered for $23 million at that time, illustrating how unusual the holding has been within the Colorado luxury market.
Cody Lujan of Hall and Hall represented the sellers, while Brian Smith, also of Hall and Hall, represented the buyer. Neither agent commented publicly on the transaction, according to the published reporting.
That lack of disclosure is unsurprising for a property of this type. The identity of the buyer was not publicly available in the reporting surrounding the closing.
Silverthorne Offers More Than Mountain Privacy
Despite its secluded appearance, Triple Creek Ranch is not particularly remote by Colorado standards.
Hall and Hall places the property approximately five minutes from Silverthorne and the Interstate 70 corridor, while Denver is roughly 90 minutes away by road. Kremmling’s regional airport and FBO are approximately 20 minutes north.
That accessibility is one of the property’s strongest practical advantages.
Silverthorne sits within easy reach of the major mountain destinations of Summit County, including Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain. Interstate 70 provides the primary east-west connection through the region, allowing owners to reach Denver while remaining immersed in the mountains.
The town itself has evolved well beyond a simple highway stop. Silverthorne now offers an expanding dining scene, retail options, recreation facilities and cultural attractions. The town describes its restaurant scene as increasingly diverse, with everything from craft beer and ethnic cuisine to bakeries and more contemporary dining.
The Bluebird Market, for example, brings multiple culinary concepts under one roof, including Italian, barbecue, empanadas, Mexican-inspired food and other casual dining options.
For luxury homeowners, the combination is compelling: privacy at the ranch, restaurants and shopping a short drive away, and world-class skiing and mountain recreation within easy reach.
A Lifestyle That Extends Beyond the Property Line
Triple Creek’s lifestyle proposition changes dramatically with the seasons.
During summer, the surrounding landscape opens up to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fly-fishing and other outdoor pursuits. Silverthorne’s Blue River Trail provides a paved recreational route through the community, while the surrounding wilderness offers more ambitious terrain for experienced hikers and adventurers.
Winter transforms the area into one of Colorado’s most desirable snow destinations. Skiing and snowboarding at nearby resorts can become part of a regular routine rather than an occasional vacation.
The property itself can serve as a private base camp for those activities. The acreage allows horses and outdoor pursuits to remain on-site, while the two lodges provide enough accommodation for extended family, friends or corporate retreats.
That versatility helps explain why Triple Creek could command a $23 million price even after a lengthy marketing period.
The End of One Era, and the Beginning of Another
There is an almost cinematic quality to the timing of the sale.
The Blakes purchased Triple Creek Ranch more than two decades ago, and for much of that period the property was intertwined with the story of Thunder and the Denver Broncos. The ranch provided the space where Arabian horses could be trained, housed and prepared for one of professional football’s most recognizable gameday traditions.
Now that the Thunder Spirit team has retired after 34 seasons, the ranch has also entered a new phase.
The Broncos will continue the Thunder tradition with a new team, while Triple Creek Ranch belongs to a new owner.
CaliforniaLuxuryHouses sees the sale as a particularly distinctive example of how luxury real estate can preserve a piece of cultural history. The $23 million buyer did not simply acquire 254.6 acres and two renovated log lodges. They acquired a property with an unusually rich provenance—one that connects Colorado ranching, Arabian horses, professional sports and the evolving luxury lifestyle of Summit County.
Triple Creek Ranch may now have a different owner, but its connection to Thunder is unlikely to disappear. For more than three decades, the sound of an Arabian horse running onto the football field began long before kickoff, somewhere among the aspens, ponds and mountain trails of this remarkable Colorado estate.