January 17, 1969 – April 26, 2025

Our beloved cowboy, Jeff Groom, passed away at home in Basalt, Colorado, surrounded by friends and family on Saturday, April 26th. He picked the perfect day to ride off — warm, sunny skies, no chance of rain, and a sunset on the horizon. It was also his favorite day of the year: Branding Day at McCabe Ranch.

Jeff was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and raised in Carbondale as a fifth-generation native. Horses were in his blood from the beginning. He spent his childhood on horseback, raising livestock, competing in 4H, and riding wherever there was a trail to find. He graduated from Roaring Fork High School, then earned a rodeo scholarship to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, though the surf waves sometimes called him more loudly than the psychology courses.

A true cowboy and a nomad at heart, Jeff spent time working ranches in Hawaii and Australia before the Roaring Fork Valley called him home for good. His entire career was built around horses, from the rodeo arena to the high-country trails. He was a silent force in the roping pen, winning buckles at the Carbondale and Snowmass rodeos. He also made his mark in the polo and cutting horse world, where his instinct for a good horse was unmatched.

Jeff found his haven at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Old Snowmass, where he ran Snowmass Creek Outfitters. There, he packed hunters into the backcountry, guided countless rides through the Snowmass Lake area, and even spent time camping under the stars while John Denver strummed his guitar.

He never met a horse he couldn’t throw a leg over, a steer he didn’t think he could catch, or a mountain he couldn’t ski. His love for livestock and the outdoors ran deep, and he shared his knowledge freely with anyone who wanted to learn.

Jeff was happiest sitting in the rodeo arena, a son on each side. He was a son, brother, husband, father, uncle — one of a kind. You could always spot him by his well-worn denim from head to toe and the signature hat tip and mustache-clad smile he gave to friends and strangers alike.

He is survived by his wife, Amy Groom, sons Dylan Greenough-Groom and Bowen Groom, sister Sara (Jody) Groom Welch, and brother Steve Groom. He was the proud uncle of Drake Groom, Reagan (Rowyn) Carmichael, Laiken Groom, Logan Clay, Landan Clay, Dalton Groom, Morgan Jones, and Ada Jones. He is also survived by his in-laws Nancy and Glenn Forsey and Erin Forsey.

He rides ahead to meet his father, Pat Groom, grandparents Jean and Owen Holgate, grandparents Wilda and Dean Groom, favorite dog Tripp, trusty rope horse Woody, and a posse of cowboys who left us all too soon.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 2nd, at 2 p.m. at McCabe Ranch in Old Snowmass, Colorado.

Ride easy, Jeffro. We’ll meet you at sunset.