Your Hosts: Peggy, Lee & Family

The Creation of Willowtail Springs: A Colorado and Mesa Verde Retreat Destination

There’s no place like home, and you’ll feel like you’ve finally arrived when you step onto the stunning 60-acre ecological retreat of Willowtail Springs. This serene setting is the pride and joy of Peggy and Lee Cloy, who have poured their artistic hearts and souls into making Willowtail an unparalleled Colorado retreat.

After living in the Pacific Northwest for a couple of decades, Peggy moved to Colorado sunshine in 1993. A painter and sculpture, she purchased 40-acres and got to work remodeling the property’s ramshackle barns and cabins set amongst the woods, streams and meadows of the desert Southwest. The grounds were in desperate need of some tender-loving care.

Seven years later, she married Lee Cloy, a lifelong friend from Seattle days. With a background in engineering, Lee brought his savvy in property and building management. A true visionary and problem solver, he helped Peggy implement her dream to transform Willowtail Springs from rustic potential into a living art retreat and captivating wedding venue in sync with the whims of Mother Nature.

“Peggy and Lee made us feel at home the moment we arrived.” – Shirley and Arnold, Robinson, TX

Known by guests to be the consummate hosts, Peggy and Lee are just as celebrated for their environmental stewardship of Willowtail’s land, water, air and wildlife. They purchased 20 more acres and set their minds to incorporate as many water conservation and sustainability practices as possible into Willowtail’s operations.

For starters, Willowtail’s private lake serves as a fishing paradise for all skill levels, healthily stocked with trout, sunfish and large-mouth bass. With the help of a couple of canoes, a rowboat, poles and casting rods, bait and barbless hooks, guests are more than welcome to catch-and-release to their heart’s content. As a private lake, there’s no need to procure a fishing license!

This wetland oasis blossoms with an abundance of nature, and, much to the thrill of birders, is a sanctuary for owls, golden eagles, osprey, meadowlarks, Great Blue Herons, hummingbirds, chickadees, woodpeckers, warblers and more. Sometimes, guests get an up-close-and-personal encounter as the Colorado Division of Wildlife releases raptors back into the wild – a truly majestic experience.

“Thank you for sharing your piece of Eden. We appreciated the extra time you took to acquaint us with this wonderful area.”
–Susan and Rob, North Carolina

But not all wildlife is wanted. In 2001, the Cloys were faced with a beetle infestation of Willowtail’s ancient evergreen forests. Four years and a lot of research, sweat and savings later, the Cloy’s saved 7,800 pinyon, cedar and ponderosa trees and restored a thriving habitat for wildlife and humans alike.

In 2012, the Cloys launched Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center. This nonprofit organization funds artist and ecology residencies, providing extended stays for emerging and established creatives and a variety of projects.

When they’re not seeing to the details of running Southwest Colorado’s premier bed and breakfast destination retreat, Peggy’s probably painting and Lee, practicing Tai Chi. Meanwhile, their dog, Beau Jangles, greets everyone and roams around Willowtail’s wild and mild terrain, probably panting, “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.”