Our Story

Kyle Bishop is originally from Boulder, Colorado and an alum of Fort Lewis College, where he first fell in love with the Southwest, the mountains, the sports and its incredible people. Through years of owning businesses and building a life as an entrepreneur, his path eventually led him briefly to the East Coast in Rhode Island.

That’s where he met Tess, a beautiful biologist who had always dreamed of living in the mountains. What began as friendship quickly grew into something much more— Shared passions, a love for the outdoors, and a vision for a life rooted in nature, community, and adventure.

Together, they fell in love and made the decision to move back to Durango, Colorado. And in a twist of fate that still feels surreal, they found themselves becoming the proud owners of River Bend Ranch.

Now, they are stepping into this new adventure side by side—building a life together, settling into the valley, and someday raising a family among the red cliffs, open skies, and endless joyful moments that define this place.

River Bend Ranch has become more than a property to them—it’s a place where stories are lived and love is celebrated. They feel incredibly fortunate to help others experience some of the happiest days of their lives here, and deeply honored to be a part of so many love stories as they unfold.

At its heart, this space is about connection, celebration, and the kind of moments you never forget—and they can’t wait to welcome you into it.

Our Staff

River Bend Ranch is family-owned and operated, although we cannot do it alone. We have dedicated individuals who have demonstrated a joyful willingness to partner with us. These staff members are hard-working yet light-hearted. They take pride in their work but are willing to laugh at their mistakes, and they enjoy knowing that their efforts are recognized and appreciated by all who come here.

Our Setting

As you have no doubt noticed, the views from River Bend Ranch are absolutely stunning. If you’ve never been here, you might wonder if the drive from Durango to the venue is long or difficult. It is neither. Our property is nestled in the beautiful Animas Valley and only 2 miles outside the city limits of Durango. We are an easy 10 minute drive to just about any hotel, restaurant, shopping, or activity in Durango. Or if you want to head the other direction, we are 5 minutes from the Durango Hot Springs and 20 minutes from Purgatory Resort.

Our Style

There are certain features of the property that propel us toward a style that is rustic, although we do provide some modern elements as well. You’ll find that the event barn has a warm, rustic feel (not to mention the pleasant scent of cedar) that invites you to relax and enjoy yourself. The bridal suite/dressing room takes on a more modern touch and includes all the amenities you’d want, being light and bright with lot of mirrors.

While the physical components of a property are important, and they might check all your boxes; don’t forget to consider a venue’s operational style. We didn’t become Durango’s relaxed wedding venue by accident— it is a direct result of the environment we created. We don’t do stress here. We want your experience with us to feel right from our first communication through the final goodbye after your event.