A hiker jumps over a stream with his cooler while hiking through the woods with members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club at the Iron Aspen Ranch near Lyons on June 23, 2024. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Mickey Haggerty cools off near a small water fall while hiking with members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club at his Iron Aspen Ranch near Lyons, Colorado on June 23, 2024. Haggerty hosts members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club — naturist being the term for a non-sexual nudist — on hikes on his property. The idea of Iron Aspen Ranch came to him around seven years ago. Haggerty bought his property near Lyons in 2004, then started building his house by hand in 2011. Once he wrapped up the initial construction, he posted online about his clothing-optional camp and received positive feedback. “I am very small scale, and I plan on keeping it that way,” Haggerty said. “I don’t have pools. I’m not going to have hot tubs. I mean, I live 100% off grid.” Men are required to bare all, while nudity is optional for women. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Hikers make their way through the woods as they hike with members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club at the Iron Aspen Ranch near Lyons, Colorado on June 23, 2024. Owner Mickey Haggerty hosts members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club — naturist being the term for a non-sexual nudist — on hikes on his property. The idea of Iron Aspen Ranch came to him around seven years ago. Haggerty bought his property near Lyons in 2004, then started building his house by hand in 2011. Once he wrapped up the initial construction, he posted online about his clothing-optional camp and received positive feedback. “I am very small scale, and I plan on keeping it that way,” Haggerty said. “I don’t have pools. I’m not going to have hot tubs. I mean, I live 100% off grid.” Men are required to bare all, while nudity is optional for women. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A hiker puts on sunscreen prior to leaving on a hike with members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club at the Iron Aspen Ranch near Lyons, Colorado on June 23, 2024. Owner Mickey Haggerty hosts members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club — naturist being the term for a non-sexual nudist — on hikes on his property. The idea of Iron Aspen Ranch came to him around seven years ago. Haggerty bought his property near Lyons in 2004, then started building his house by hand in 2011. Once he wrapped up the initial construction, he posted online about his clothing-optional camp and received positive feedback. “I am very small scale, and I plan on keeping it that way,” Haggerty said. “I don’t have pools. I’m not going to have hot tubs. I mean, I live 100% off grid.” Men are required to bare all, while nudity is optional for women. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Mickey Haggerty chats with Denver Post reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton while getting prepared to tour his 30-acre homestead at the Iron Aspen Ranch near Lyons, Colorado on June 23, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A hiker jumps over a stream with his cooler while hiking through the woods with members of the Rocky Mountain Naturist Club at the Iron Aspen Ranch near Lyons on June 23, 2024. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
ExpandI'll admit that the idea of hiking in the woods with 21 nude strangers gave me pause. At Iron Aspen Ranch in Boulder County, this is the norm.