American Documentary

A feature documentary about a visionary and charismatic cattleman, Kirk Hanna. Through memories and intimate anecdotes, we learn about Hanna and his life from family members, colleagues and friends. Hanna Ranch was built in the 1940s by Kirk Hanna’s father and grandfather, who came from New Mexico and chose the Colorado site for its proximity to Fountain Creek, which runs through it. With 2.65 miles of stream coursing through the property, Hanna Ranch protects important floodplain and upland habitats with essential plant communities and associated wildlife to help it thrive. Featured in the book “Fast Food Nation” and dubbed the “eco-cowboy,” Hanna was an early adopter of Holistic Resource Management practices, sat on numerous environmental boards and was president of the Colorado Cattleman’s Association. Hanna became a leader in the environmental ranching movement that set out to protect the West from the relentless encroachment of development and misuse. Hanna’s opinion was so widely sought and respected that some believed he could run for governor of Colorado. But when his dream of harmony and sustainability ran up against the reality of family conflict and mounting threats to the land, Hanna lost hope.