Our Story
Stewarding the Land Preserving a Legacy
Paul & Krii Black | LePlatt's Pond at L-J Ranch
Our Stewardship
For the Generations to Come
Shaped by faith, hard work, and deep respect for tradition, this ranch represents a way of life worth preserving. By welcoming our community to gather here, we protect what makes it special and carry it forward for the next generation.
What We Believe
Rooted in Integrity
You see it in the way the land is cared for, the way people are welcomed, and in the quiet details others might overlook. Integrity shapes how we steward this place and how we serve those who gather here.
Serving with Purpose
As a family-owned and operated ranch, this land is our home. We welcome guests generously, work diligently behind the scenes, and treat every celebration held here with genuine care and respect.
Preserving What Matters
Places like this are rare and worth protecting. We are committed to stewarding this land and the traditions it represents so it may continue to be enjoyed and cherished for generations to come.
The Team
Paul Black
Owner & Ranch Operations
Paul oversees the daily operations of the ranch, caring for the land and the many details that keep it running each day. A lifelong Bayfield resident, he is deeply connected to the land and community that surround L-J Ranch. In addition to ranch operations, Paul manages the cattle herd, dedicating countless hours to the care of the livestock and the health of the land. His work reflects a deep commitment to responsible stewardship and preserving the traditions that help ranches like this thrive for generations to come.
Krii Black
Owner & Venue Director
Krii brings nearly two decades of wedding industry experience to LePlatt's Pond. As owner and venue director, she is dedicated to preserving the beauty of the ranch while helping couples create a celebration that feels effortless, personal, and unforgettable.
She also leads the creative storytelling and guest experience for the venue, overseeing marketing, video, and social media while personally guiding couples through the planning process. In addition, Krii manages the ranch's Airbnb accommodations, ensuring every visitor experiences the warmth and hospitality that define life at L-J Ranch.
Lacy Graff
Lead Wedding Coordinator
Lacy has coordinated weddings at LePlatt's Pond for many years and brings a calm, thoughtful presence to every celebration. With a background in interior design and experience designing luxury residences and hotels, she combines creativity with exceptional attention to detail. Known for her kindness, patience, and steady professionalism, Lacy ensures every wedding day unfolds beautifully for the couples she serves.
Colt Black
Venue & Ranch Support
Having called L-J Ranch home his entire life, Colt has watched his parents build LePlatt’s Pond from the ground up. His interests lean toward the venue and guest experience, helping prepare event spaces, welcome wedding guests, and support Lacy throughout celebrations. With a knack for technology and videography, he is also learning how to share the story of the ranch and venue through marketing. Colt especially enjoys hosting Locals Night alongside his family, greeting familiar faces and offering golf cart rides. His parents regularly hear from guests who appreciate his kindness, maturity, and the courteous professionalism he brings to every interaction. From maintaining the grounds to helping customers load their beef purchases, he is learning the teamwork and hospitality behind the family business alongside his homeschool studies.
Arabella Black
Ranch & Venue Support
Raised at L-J Ranch, Arabella has grown up immersed in ranch life and watching LePlatt’s Pond take shape. A nature and animal lover, she is happiest alongside her dad, learning the rhythms of farming and ranching. She helps care for animals, gather cattle, maintain the grounds, and operate farm equipment during hay season. Arabella also assists Lacy with wedding preparations, thoughtfully arranging table settings and décor. She loves hosting Locals Night with her family, welcoming guests and helping beef customers with their purchases. Visitors often remark on her polite manner and the care and professionalism she brings to her work. Alongside her homeschool studies, these experiences nurture her practical skills and connection to the land she calls home.
Our Story
A Stewardship Story
Paul and Krii were married in 2008 and moved onto L-J Ranch as caretakers just one week later. What began as an opportunity to help care for the property soon became a calling.
For the next decade they managed the ranch with deep respect for the land and the legacy of the LePlatt family who entrusted them with its care. In an extraordinary act of generosity, the LePlatt family eventually offered them the opportunity to purchase the ranch — a gift of trust that forever changed their lives.
Both Paul and Krii are lifelong La Plata County residents, as are their children today. While they each grew up around horses, their understanding of ranching deepened through the guidance and wisdom of multi-generational ranching families throughout the community.
Today, nearly two decades after first arriving at the ranch, their family continues to steward this land with gratitude and purpose. They homeschool their children and remain actively involved in several local nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening the community they love.
Their vision for LePlatt's Pond is simple: to preserve the ranch exactly as it is. Ranches like this are increasingly rare, and protecting this open space has become a lifelong mission. Hosting gatherings here and raising beef locally are ways they are able to sustain the land while sharing it with others.
Though they did not inherit this ranch, they hope one day to pass it on to their children and generations to come. They believe the opportunity to care for this land is a blessing and a responsibility they honor with deep gratitude.
The best way to understand this place is to experience it in person.
Come See It for Yourself
We would be honored to show you around and share the beauty of LePlatt's Pond with you.
Schedule a Tour