The Raftopoulos family's sheep ranching roots date back to the late 1920’s when Steve’s mother, Georgia Vlahos, and her husband at the time, homesteaded near Craig, Colorado. They came from the central mountains of Greece, the Roumeli area and the village of Kaloskopi, meaning “good view.” It’s no wonder they settled on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies which must have seemed magnificent. Unfortunately, her husband became ill and died of pneumonia in 1948. She leased out their property and returned to Greece, eventually marrying George John Raftopoulos. George’s Dad had one of the largest sheep operations in their home region in Greece, and it turned out to be a great match. Together, they returned to Colorado and started up again, buying sheep and getting their operation going, eventually running 2500 to 3000 sheep. They followed the model of most sheep operations that were established in western Colorado and throughout the American west at the time. Their sheep migrated from higher elevations west of Steamboat in the summer, to their lower elevation winter ground in Browns Park near the Utah/Colorado border.

This is a storied area of the west, boasting a colorful history. Browns Park, originally called Browns Hole, is an isolated mountain valley along the Green River. Known as a haven for outlaws such as Butch Cassidy and Tom Horn during the late 19th century and the early 20th century, Fort Davy Crockett had been constructed there in 1837 as a trading post, but was abandoned in the 1840s. After discovery of gold in California (1848), more settlers were traveling through the region and the valley became a favorite wintering ground for livestock. By the 1860s it had acquired a reputation as a haven for cattle rustlers, horse thieves, and outlaws, alongside Hole-in-the-Wall, Wyoming and Robbers Roost in Utah.

In 1965 the valley became part of the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge, designated as a habitat for migratory waterfowl. The refuge contains the remains of several historic sites, including Fort Davy Crockett and the original "Two Bar Ranch" headquarters established by cattleman Ora Haley. To consolidate his operation, he had moved his headquarters to today’s present location. There were boom and bust times in the early livestock industry, and his ranch ended up owned by the bank. The Winder family took over the Two Bar Ranch from the bank and developed it into a working sheep operation. When patriarch John R Winder passed away, the Raftopoulos family was able to purchase this historic Two Bar outfit, enlarging their existing ranching operation, and bringing the heritage ranch to life again.

There were two sons in Georgia and George’s marriage, John and Steve. Steve went to Colorado University and got a degree in accounting, while his brother went to vet school. When George Raftopoulos developed some health issues, Steve returned home to help on the ranch. Eventually both brothers were involved in the ranch and took over operations. In 2012, Steve and John created a way to separate the sheep and cattle portions of the ranch, with Steve taking over the sheep completely.

Today, Two Bar Sheep continues to grow and expand, involving Steve and Antonia’s three children – Jorgiea, Andrew and Zacharias. They are progressive in their ranch management and practices, dedicated to positioning their family business for success.

Steve, Antonia and their family have long been contributors to their industry and community, serving in a variety of leadership capacities. They are both community and industry leaders, and their children, now grown, are following in the same excellent way.