get out in one!
get out in one!
Inspired by Colorado. Shipped all over the world.Back in 1976 we made our home in a tipi. We set our lodge on a mountainside in the
Colorado Rocky Mountains, watched the stars pass, the seasons change. We were
hooked on the simple life. It wasn’t long before some of our friends wanted the same
experience, and the adventure called Earthworks Tipis began.
Thirty years later this enterprise has evolved into the Colorado Yurt Company.
Located in Montrose, Colorado, our tiny workshop is now a small campus, and our
staff is a group of talented craftsmen and craftswomen. We feel incredibly fortunate
that our yurts,tipis and tents are known and respected worldwide. What gives us real
satisfaction is providing all kinds of folks with the opportunity to wake up out in the
woods, where, at least for a moment, there are no buzzes and beeps demanding
attention; no sound of traffic and no to-do list.
If you are moved to live, work or play in a unique structure and enjoy the gifts nature
has to offer, or you want a little piece of the Colorado Rockies, no matter where you
live, let our experience be your shortcut to the backcountry. We would love to help
you design and build a dream of your own.
You’ll find some pictures of the beautiful sites around our home scattered throughout
our brochure. Most of this spectacular scenery is right in our neighborhood. We hope
it inspires you as much as inspires us.
YURTSThe yurt is a place
to escape the daily
routine and live simply,
connected to your
surroundings. Our yurt is
a gathering place
for friends and family,
a place to share stories
and make memories.
A place we long to go
to and hate to leave.
Thanks Colorado
Yurt Company!
MARK & CATHERINE STEWART,COLORADO SPRINGS,
COLORADO
Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado
A An Alaskan yurt “upstairs.” (courtesy: Seavey, Alaskan home for 7 years) B Home away from home. A cozy getaway. (courtesy: Stellema & Price, 24’ yurt at 8860’ in Colorado)
A
Make It Your OwnCreate your space: luxurious, simple,
or somewhere in between. With its circular
design and spacious interior, the yurt
encourages both social activity and quiet
contemplation. Build it yourself in a couple
of days. Wire it. Heat
it. Plumb it. Create
big family meals in
the kitchen. Add a
bathroom or a luxurious
spa. Based on the
traditional Asian design,
the affordable, durable,
modern yurt can be just
what you’re looking for.
“
”A
B
1
Four Seasons and Two HemispheresColorado Yurts are lived and played in from
Alaska to Honduras. By selecting from our list
of custom features, your yurt can be designed
to suit your climate and fulfill your dreams. We
make five sizes serving a range of functions:
a smaller yurt makes a great backyard office,
guestroom or weekend getaway; the biggest
one—30’ with 706 square feet of floor space—
can seat up to 60 people and function as a
mini-conference center or as a home for a
small family. You can combine and connect
yurts too. Surfside, mountainside or alongside
your favorite trout stream…get out in one!
A WORLD OF
PRACTICAL POSSIBILITIES• Hunting and Fishing Camp
• Lake Cottage • Office
• Mountain Cabin • Guesthouse
• Rental Cabin • Retreat
• Kid’s Camp • Bed and Breakfast
• Classroom • Ski Hut
• Art Studio • Hot Tub Spa
• Yoga Studio • Your Home
2
A A 30’ yurt in the desert. (courtesy: Raleigh, “Rock and Ice” magazine) B Durability and comfort all winter long is a must for this Keystone, Colorado yurt. C This year-around getaway on the Sweet River is beautiful in the fall. D The yurts at Orvis Hot Springs,
Ridgway, Colorado. E Kitchen and dining yurts at a fishing resort in Belize.
A B
C
D
E
“”
We loved our first yurt from
Colorado Yurt Company
so much we had another one
shipped to New Zealand to
create a great beach getaway.
JIM GRANGE, DENVER, COLORADO
3
Craftsmanship + EngineeringThe handcrafted, wooden framework of
Colorado Yurts is made from clear, vertical
grain Douglas fir with machine stress rated
rafters. Just like home, our doors are a full
thirty-six inches wide. All wood components are
protected by natural penetrating oil. Certified
engineering ensures that they are capable
of withstanding heavy snow and high winds.
Colorado Yurts are strong and beautiful.
State of the art industrial fabrics cover the yurt
framework and insulation. With a palette of
twenty-eight different colors you can choose a
combination that will blend perfectly
with your environs—in a spruce
forest or by a turquoise sea.
A
B
C
D
E
A A seaside eco-resort in Baja. (courtesy: Baja Air Adventures)B 12-sided compression ring with CORR brackets. C A cozy home in the aspens. (near Telluride, Colorado) D Majestic Mount Wilson in southwestern Colorado. E Some back country skiers enjoys each other’s company in the James Peak Yurt during a Colorado hut trip.(courtesy: Ron James)
Go Out and Get ItSTANDARD FEATURES• Domed Skylight: five-foot diameter clear dome
lets in loads of natural light.
• Complete Framework: a 12-sided Doug fir
compression ring; engineered rafters on
galvanized aircraft cable; vertical grain
Doug fir lattice wall; and a handcrafted
Doug fir door.
• Roof Cover: industrial fabric with a valance
that covers for a watertight seal; your choice
of three colors.
• Wall Cover: your choice of three tough fabrics
in multiple color combinations.
• Three Windows: includes screens, removable
vinyl storm window and a zippered privacy
flap, 48”x30” on standard yurts,
44”x44” on taller wall yurts. Custom
sizes available.
• Rain Cricket: standard over every door,
channels rainwater away from doorway.
• Natural Finish: all wood components are
finished with rich, natural, penetrating oil.
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A
B
C
D E
A The remote location of the James Peak Yurt affords spectacular star gazing. (courtesy: Ron James) B Furnish and decorate your yurt as rustic or refined as you like. Dining room in a 30’ yurt. C A view along the Uncompaghre River in Colorado, with Mount Sneffles in the distance. D Yurt window flaps convert to awnings. (courtesy: Manitoba Provincial Parks) E French doors, available as an option on your yurt.
OPTIONS • Taller Wall: increases wall height from
5’10” to 6’9”.
• Duro-Last Roof: 15-year warranty;
your choice of three colors.
• Sky Path: translucent, rainbow shaped panel
in the roof.
• Insulation: wall, roof and window insulation,
reflects summer heat, holds in winter heat.
• Cistern System: captures rain water.
• Snow and Wind Load Packages: choose from
four exclusive packages depending on yurt
size and conditions.
• Winter Stout Alpine Yurt Package:
for extreme snow conditions that may
become unbalanced due to wind or
freeze/thaw conditions.
• Stovepipe Outlet: allows vent installation for
wood or gas stove, composting toilet,
clothes dryer.
• French Doors: 42” double doors with full
window in each side.
• Additional Doors and Windows: up to 12
windows and 3 doors on a 30’ yurt.
• Wooden Operable Window: wood framed
window that cranks open from the inside.
• Roll-Up Wall Section: 8’ section of floor-to-
ceiling window.
• Screen Door or Curtain: heavy duty screen
door or simple screen curtain for doorway.
• Dome Insulation, Shade or Mosquito Net:
shade or insulate the dome opening.
• Dome Lifter: operated from floor level, raises
dome up to 8” for ventilation.
• Tinted Dome: significantly reduces heat gain.
• Door and Window Awnings: keep sun and rain
out while letting breeze in.
• Ceiling Fan Mount: allows you to install a
ceiling fan under the dome.
• Handicap Access: grab bars, tread-plate door
thresholds and more.
Winter Stout Alpine YurtThe Colorado Yurt Company offers the ultimate
in load bearing capability. With an exclusive
design that handles real-life, unbalanced
snow and wind loads, the Winter Stout Alpine
Yurt meets the structural
requirements of the
International Building Code.
Site specific engineering
reports are available.
Call for details or visit
www.coloradoyurt.com
5
Winter Stout
A B C
E
D
A Crank open the window from inside the yurt with a wooden operable window. B Stove pipe flashing for venting wood or gas stoves.C A ceiling fan enhances natural ventilation. D Engineered comfort for four seasons. (courtesy: Kettner, solar powered in Colorado) E Alpine Yurt illustration. The Winter Stout is engineered to handle extreme and unbalanced snow loads.
Building Your Yurt… Get Into ItA yurt can go up in a day or so—after your
deck is ready— with a couple of helpers,
a good ladder and a few tools. Complete
instructions are provided but, in a nutshell,
here’s how it’s done.
• Gather some friends…two or three or a whole
bunch, and pull out the complete yurt
setup instructions.
• Stretch out the lattice wall like a baby gate
around the edge of the deck.
• Clamp both ends of the lattice to the door to
complete the circle.
• Lay the cable into the top of the lattice.
• Raise the compression ring, either with three
rafters (small and medium yurts) or a scaffold
(big yurts).
• Connect the rafters—one at a time—to the
ring at the top and the cable below,
to complete the framework.
• If you have insulation, put it in place. It’s precut
to fit and has a sewn liner.
• Lift the roof covering up through the ring and
spread it out over the rafters.
• Fasten the outer wall to the roof and slide it
into the door tracks.
• Secure the dome on top of the ring.
• Attach the bottom of the yurt to your platform.
• Locate a comfortable chair and the beverage
of your choice. Admire your handiwork and
try to fathom that in a weekend, you built your
own house!
6
B
D
C
FE G
A
A An exploded view shows all the basic elements (without insulation). B These yurts are available for overnight rental at East Canyon State Park near Salt Lake City, UT. (courtesy: East Canyon State Park) C A remote yurt is framed and ready for its fabric cover. D Engineered comfort for four seasons.
(courtesy: Kettner, solar powered in Colorado) E Rafters connect to the compression ring with optional CORR brackets. F All rafters include a keeper screw which secures the notch over the cable. G Yurts can accommodate a full kitchen layout.
7
Why Choose a Colorado Yurt?We believe in manufacturing the highest quality
yurt at a fair price. That makes it easy to stand
behind our product. When you call our toll
free number or visit our web site, you’ll be
drawing on over thirty years of experience and
a philosophy that success comes from making a
quality product and treating people right.
Colorado Yurt Offers More: • More standard features and color choices.
• Superior craftsmanship and attention to detail.
• Expertise and options to design for your
specific climate and needs.
• Certified engineering ensures
structural integrity.
• The Winter Stout Alpine Yurt has the highest,
unbalanced snow load rating available in the
fabric yurt industry.
• Experience in shipping all over the world.
• Exceptional phone support during planning
and set up.
• Environmentally responsible manufacturing
and operations processes.
A
B
C D
A Beautiful Allta Lake in southwestern Colorado. B A 30’ yurt at the Plains Conservation Center in Arvada, Colorado. C A 30’ yurt in the Alaska winter. (courtesy: Conkel) D Three yurts at Cornerstone Golf Course near Telluride, Colorado.
TIPIS
Our tipi is two miles high in
elevation. Yearly it gets covered
with feet of snow and battered
by the wind.
Our canvas has lasted through
such abuse for nine years now.
The interior has a wood burning
stove with a stone floor, a
raised platform bed with a living
room underneath, a kitchen
and battery and solar electric
capabilities. We lived in it for
five years and now use it as
a guest house for friends and
family. There is nothing better
than listening to the wind crash
through the trees like waves on
the ocean and be safe inside.
ASHLEY WERNERALMA, COLORADO Make It
Your Own
Temporary or permanent, traditional
or modern, make your tipi your own.
Pitch it at a campground for a weekend in
the woods, or on an elaborate deck adding
all the amenities of the finest resorts.
Perhaps the best way is right on top
of Mother Earth in your own backyard.
Craft your own mural in the round.
Our artists can walk you through painting
your tipi and liner yourself, or, create
a unique design and paint it for you.
8
The pool below Colorado’s tallest waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls
“
”
A
B
C
Authentic and FunctionalEarthworks tipis are patterned after the
three-pole Lakota design with the addition of
graceful, elongated, Cheyenne smoke flaps. The
design innovations made by the buffalo hunters
of the Great Plains are what distinguish true
tipis. The cone is tilted into prevailing winds,
making it nearly vertical in back. This makes
the tipi stand strong against the weather, and
increases the headroom and usable living
space inside. The smoke hole is moved slightly
down the more gently sloping front to control
the draw for the fire.
To the Native American of the Plains, the tipi
was home; warm in winter, cool in summer:
rugged, portable and easy to set up. It satisfied
the owner’s aesthetic and spiritual sensibilities.
The circular plan mirrored nature: the earth,
the sky, the seasons, life itself. Although we use
more modern, durable materials, we have been
reluctant to tinker with the original design of
such a perfect structure.
9
A B
C
D
Opposite Page: A A corporate retreat near Telluride, Colorado. (18’ tipis) B Buffalo hide reinforced door opening reveals an enchanting retreat. (Colorado, 28’ tipi) C A traditional design stands out against the red rocks at Zion National Park. (courtesy: Redwine, Utah Trails 18’ tipis)
This Page: A A comfortable tipi interior featuring a loft and a 9’ liner. (courtesy: Feddersen, Colorado, 28’ tipi) B 16’ and 20’ tipi against the Aspens, Breckenridge, Colorado. C A painted tipi near Aspen, Colorado. D A classic, noble lodge.
Size and Substance• Smaller tipis (12’, 14’ and 16’): weekend
camping, backyard retreats, and playhouses.
• Midsize tipis (18’, 20’, 22’ and 24’): year ‘round
retreats for a couple or a family.
• Big tipis (26’ and 28’): ceremonies, family
reunions, fulltime tipi home.
• Custom tipis (up to 36’): ceremonial and
architectural use.
We offer materials that are high tech, but have
low environmental impact and we inspect
every yard before sewing it into your tipi.
We offer two distinct fabric types in the heaviest
weights. Whether you choose Sunforger or Tuff-
Star fabric, we combine the best fabrics with
the highest quality workmanship to create a tipi
with the durability to last many years.
How Earthworks Tipis WorkThe tipi is a highly evolved and highly
functional structure composed of the
tipi cover, the poles, and the tipi liner working
together. The poles form the framework to
support the cover and hang the liner. When
a tipi is properly pitched, the cover is staked
several inches above the ground. The liner
hangs against the inside of the poles, seals the
bottom of the tipi, and creates a double wall
for a chimney effect to draw the smoke from
the open fire out through the smoke flaps. The
smoke flaps adjust with the direction of the
wind to enhance the draw for the open fire.
10
A
B
C E
This Page: A Three painted 18’ tipis in a meadow. (courtesy: Bower, Moab Outback) B A blazing fire and a liner are the keys to tipi comfort. (Colorado, 28’ tipi) C Soccer at day camp. Kids love tipis! Opposite Page: A Fall creeps into the Colorado high country. B A designer interior. (courtesy:
Anchondo, Colorado 18’ tipi) C A classic geometric design on an 18’ tipi nestled in the woods. D Painted tipis in the desert at Canyonlands Institute in Utah. (courtesy: Bower of Moab Outback)
Tipi Components:• Cover: the outer canvas covering.
• Pole Set: tall, thin, peeled lodgepole pine
tipi poles forming the framework to support
the cover and hang the liner.
• Liner or ‘dew cloth’: fabric, tied to the inside of
the poles, that hangs on an angle from a height
of six (or nine) feet and extends onto the
floor; creates a double wall to control
the draft.
• Ozan: a canopy covering the back third
of the tipi; holds in heat and shelters
the living area below.
LINER
OZAN
SMOKE FLAP POLE
TIPI COVER
11
A
B C
D
Pitching Your Tipi Pitching a tipi is one of the most ingenious
things you can experience. The method—
simplicity itself—draws on mechanical
advantage and the spirit of cooperation. Once
you get the hang of it, a mid-size tipi can be
pitched with the help of a friend in about an
hour. But be sure to set aside an afternoon
to get over the learning curve your first time.
Complete instructions are provided.
After you hammer the last stake and tie up the
liner, stand back and take in the tall, slender
cone of diffuse light. You’ve just created one
of the most beautiful and functional
shelters ever invented.
12
A B
D F
E
This Page: A Tipi pitching accessories: wood stakes, steel stakes, ropes and lacing pins. B This beautifully painted tipi offers a peaceful retreat. C A summer encampment near historic tipi site on Dallas Creek, Ridgway, Colorado. D Make your tipi your own with a comfortable chair (courtesy:
Anchondo, Colorado) E Dinnertime at camp. (courtesy: Hoge, Provo, Utah) F Thanks to the genius of the plains Indians, pitching a tipi is easy. Opposite Page: A A tipi encampment under the grandeur of 14,150’ Mount Sneffels. (Ridgway, Colorado, 24’ tipi)
B Big, painted tipis with liners for privacy and warmth. (courtesy: Stanley, Colorado 24’ tipis)
C
“
”
During a four-year
encampment in northern
Colorado our tipi weathered
high winds and heavy snows,
the fire blazing inside—
sometimes in a wood burning
stove. To withstand the
conditions, we reinforced
vulnerable areas of the tipi
with buffalo hide, hand rubbed
with beeswax. It is the key to
the long-lasting strength
and beauty of our lodges.
DAN AND EMMA KIGAROWNERS OF EARTHWORKS TIPIS
We make Earthworks Tipis in the spirit of the
Native American—with a practical nature and
the heart of an artist. Our tipis are as beautiful
as they are serviceable. Our lodges can be used
for anything from camping to providing a stately,
permanent dwelling. They combine a noble,
classic shape with outstanding durability.
• Buffalo hide reinforcing at stress points.
• 3,000 lb. break strength hem adds strength and
maintains the tipi’s shape.
• Webbing stake loops butterfly-stitched into
the hem make this stress point strong and
pitching easy.
• A door flap that works: six ties (two on the
inside) to keep the door securely closed.
Two additional ties hold the door flap secure
when rolled up. Dowels sewn into pockets on
the door keep it rigid across the opening.
• Double lock stitched main seams and details
distribute stress and build in fullness.
• Fitted Gores: long triangular gores inserted
between the body of the tipi and the smoke
flaps allow the tipi to fit snugly around the
cluster of poles.
Why an Earthworks Tipi?
13
A
B
Warm, easy to put up and it makes me feel
like a kid when I stayed in a tent all summer
with my parents in upper Michigan.
RALPH CROMELL, NUCLA, COLORADO
Make It Your OwnBright and breezy or warm and cozy—we have
a classic wall tent to fit almost any climate.
Make it a weekend in the woods with just you
and your favorite hound. Or stay close to home;
add fresh flowers and a daybed for a charming
guest room or bed and breakfast. Our tents can
house full kitchens and dining rooms so fire-up
the stove, and put the kettle on. If a tropical
locale is more your style, create your own
personal beach retreat
with a grass thatch
roof and screens on all
sides. You dream it,
we’ll make it.
TENTS
14
Chimney Peak & Courthouse Mountain viewed from Ridgway Reservoir
“ ”
A
B
A Platform pitched wall tent at Mary Jane’s Farm, Idaho. B Platform tent with extended rain fly.
Cimarron Tents: Simplicity and Functionality• Bed and breakfast
• Backyard bonus room
• Campground rentals
• Beach bungalow
• Eco-Resort
• African safari
• Hunting adventure
• Scout camp
• Worksite shelter
• Temporary home
15
A B
D
C
A At home in the aspens near a high-country meadow. B Platform tent at the horse camp, Cornerstone Resort. C Exploded view of a tent. D Cozy interior at Mary Jane’s Farm in Idaho.
Why Choose a Cimarron Tent?With two styles in five sizes and dozens of
options, you can design your custom tent. Add
windows, mosquito netting, floors, a fly, stove
pipe outlets and roll up walls. Choose from a
variety of fabrics and colors. Go with a
metal frame for easy pitching and portability or
a wood frame for a more rustic look.
Need something bigger for commercial use?
Give us a call.
We’ve got a way to get you where the only
sounds are the winds in the pines or the waves
lapping against your canoe—and we’ve got
over thirty years experience helping people
get there. Let us be your shortcut to the
back country.
16
A B
C
D
A Covered porch makes a welcoming entry. (courtesy: Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast, Idaho) B Outfitter wall tents for barbeque dinners. (courtesy: Redwine, Utah Trails, Zion National Park) C Custom resort tents with sewn-in floors, oversized windows and palapa frames on the water’s edge.
(Kailuum, Mexico) D A furnished guest tent with wood stove at a resort in Idaho. (courtesy: Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast, Idaho)
From Our Family to YoursAt Colorado Yurt Company, we have a family of employees who take great pride
and care to craft each and every product that leaves our shop.
We all love it when clients drop in to see us and check out our shop.
So give us a call, and come on by. Be sure to visit our web site to view hundreds
of photographs and use our online tools and resources.
We ship our shelters all over the world.
www.coloradoyurt.com
800-288-3190 or 970-240-2111
28 W. South 4th Street in Montrose, Colorado
Colorado Yurt Company | 28 W. South 4th Street, Montrose, Colorado 81401
coloradoyurt.com | 800.288.3190
PMS 274 & PMS 614 4c
get out in one!
Colorado Yurt Company | 28 W. South 4th Street, Montrose, Colorado 81401
coloradoyurt.com | 800.288.3190