The Lazy 3X Sheep Company is part of a diversified ranching operation owned and operated by Mark and Polly Hill. They believe sheep and cattle are complementary in their grazing strategies and agricultural business model. Their success has been based on tireless work in breeding and management of their herds, resulting in high quality lamb and fine wool in their sheep operation. Similar to other western Colorado sheep operations, Lazy 3X sheep graze from lower elevation winter country to higher elevation mountain pastures in the summer.

Mark and Polly both grew up on cattle ranches near Kremmling, Colorado, and are the third generation of their family ranching operations. They’ve known each other since kindergarten, went through school together and graduated from high school in Kremmling. After high school, Mark started a fence contracting company, participated in rodeo, and continued working on his family’s ranch. Polly headed off to California Polytechnic State University in San Louis Obispo, California, to study animal science. Part way through her time there, she switched to Ag Business with an emphasis in finance.

Throughout college, Polly returned to her family’s ranch during the summers to help with the cattle work. Mark and Polly remained in contact. After graduation, Polly went to work for a finance company in Denver, later moving to Eagle, CO where she worked in the farm and ranch insurance industry. Meanwhile, Mark was building his small fencing business, was on the professional rodeo circuit competing in Team Roping and Team Penning, and was still helping on his family’s ranch. Mark’s goal for years, was to own his own cattle operation, having a plan for at least 500 cows one day. Mark admits writing a note to Polly when they were in 8th grade, that said, “One day we’ll get married and have 500 black baldy cows!”

Like many family operations in agriculture, their families’ cattle ranches were too small with too many kids (5 in each family) to pass them on to the next generation. Mark and Polly both knew that their future was in their own hands -- they had to do it on their own.

On one of Polly’s trips home to help, she and Mark rekindled their relationship. Realizing they shared common dreams, they made a commitment to each other and married in 2000. Following the traumatic 911 event when many businesses were in flux, an opportunity came for them to partner in a ranch west of Grand Junction, and they took it. They admit learning a lot in that 10-year partnership. And then, the timing was right for Mark and Polly to go forward on their own. They established the Lazy 3X ranching operation and have continued on successfully, fulfilling their dreams, carrying on the legacies of both their families. They even fulfilled Mark’s note from eighth grade – and the promise to have black baldy cows!

The Lazy 3X is located near Mack, Colorado. It didn’t take long for Mark to become good friends with a long-time rancher in the area named Randy Campbell. Mark was a lifelong cattleman and Randy was a sheep man, but that didn’t seem to inhibit their friendship. It was Randy that got Mark started with sheep. Randy and his wife Julie sold 700 Merino ewes to the Lazy 3X. That was the beginning of Lazy 3X Sheep Company. Mark and Polly went to 800 ewes and then 1800 ewes, running them in 2 bands and really learning about sheep. They continued to meet folks in the sheep business, and their sheep numbers have expanded, following their research and investment in breeding and genetic improvements.

Mark and Polly have grown to appreciate the value sheep bring to their operation. Mark says they graze them in front of the cattle, and they like the mixed species grazing impacts on vegetation communities, and the added economic diversity sheep bring to their operation. Polly adds that it also seems to stabilize their operation economically. Sheep are an integral part of the Lazy 3X ranching operation, and their Merino fleeces have earned Grand Champion fleece honors at the prestigious National Western Stock Show in Denver.

Mark and Polly know that good friends, hard work, and a little luck have made their dreams possible. For those who know them, there’s also a recognition that without their personal courage and tenacity, they wouldn’t be where they are today. Mark and Polly are building a legacy they hope to pass on to their children.