For the second year in a row, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Lake George, Colorado fire department spaghetti dinner fundraiser and auction. There’s something special about rolling up your sleeves in service to your community, whether you’re bussing tables, hauling out trash, or serving food to your neighbors. It’s these grassroots events that keep small mountain communities like Lake George thriving.

The following day brought one of my favorite local traditions: the annual antique tractor pull. Watching these beautifully restored machines roar to life and seeing the pride on their owners’ faces never gets old. It’s a celebration of agricultural heritage that connects us to the hardworking pioneers who shaped this land. A great time was had by all, and I left with a full heart and a deeper appreciation for the community I serve.

Colorado Roots Run Deep
I was fortunate to come from a family of outdoorsmen and women who understood that the best classroom was often the one without walls. My father was a surgeon, but his true passion revealed itself on hunting and fishing trips. He was so devoted to the outdoors that he even talked my mother into  duck hunting for their honeymoon, and she was a really good sport about it! That spirit of adventure and love for Colorado’s wild places became the foundation of our family life.

I boarded my horse at the local stable, so close to home that I could literally throw my bridle over my shoulder and walk there from our house. As young girls, my friends and I spent countless hours jumping our horses over downed trees and riding bareback all over Austin Bluffs in Colorado Springs. Those rides taught me about freedom, responsibility, and the raw beauty of Colorado’s landscape.

My father was always the one who came home with the fish and  game, and our freezer stayed stocked year-round with elk, venison, antelope, pheasant, and duck, not to mention the fish! Our family’s lake property right outside of Buena Vista, Colorado yielded trophy-size trout. That’s where I learned to fish, casting my first line into those pristine mountain waters.

A Legacy of Conservation and Science
My love for the outdoors was further nurtured by my uncle, who ran a business called Fisheries Research. As a science teacher, he stocked ponds, managed algae, and counted insects, bringing a scientific lens to the natural world I so loved exploring. His wife, my aunt, was a field zoologist and ornithologist who taught at Colorado College. Their home was unlike any other, with birds of prey such as peregrine falcons and American kestrels in their care. It was in their company that I discovered my passion for birding, a hobby that still brings me joy on quiet mornings in the mountains.

From Personal Passion to Professional Purpose
These experiences didn’t just shape my childhood, they forged my career path. As a fourth-generation Colorado native and an Associate Broker with over 32 years of experience in the real estate industry, I’ve dedicated my professional life to helping others find their own piece of Colorado paradise. Specializing in land, ranches, horse properties, and recreational properties, I understand that I’m not just selling real estate, I’m helping people connect with a way of life.

My credentials include the coveted Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation from the REALTORS® Land Institute, and I’ve served five terms on their Board of Directors. I was honored to be named 2018 Colorado Land Broker of the Year. But beyond the awards and designations, what drives me is the same thing that drew me to those spaghetti dinners and tractor pulls: a genuine love for this land and the communities that call it home.

Whether you’re looking for a ranch to call your own, a recreational property for weekend escapes, or a piece of land to build your legacy, I bring not just professional expertise, but a lifetime of understanding what makes Colorado special.

About Kem Winternitz
Kem Winternitz is an Associate Broker and Accredited Land Consultant specializing in Colorado mountain properties, ranches, and recreational land. With 32 years of experience and deep family roots in the region, she brings unmatched local knowledge and dedication to every client relationship. Contact Kem Winternitz or visit RanchLand.com to view current land for sale.