New golf mecca set to open on the eastern Colorado plains

Rodeo Dunes Golf Course a surprising oasis and coveted destination for enthusiasts

By David Young

It’s an exceptionally hot Colorado day in early June as I turn off of  Interstate 76 in search of Colorado’s newest and perhaps most lauded golf course, Rodeo Dunes. Having driven for nearly two hours from northern Colorado to the eastern plains, there are few indications of anything impressive out here, aside from wide open skies, much less a golf course.

I pass an old motel that looks straight out of the 1960s as the road turns to dirt washboards. Pausing to check my directions, it doesn’t seem like the entrance to one of the most anticipated new projects in the country, but then I look up and see a Lexus GX driving toward me, and I know I’m in the right place.

The long, bumpy, dusty journey to Rodeo Dunes is appropriate for this experience considering it’s located on a working ranch that hosts an annual rodeo event, hence the name. As I make my way to the temporary clubhouse, there are signposts marking the way with a cowboy on a bucking horse.

I start to get glimpses of rolling green fairways between the dusty brown sand dunes as the course unfurls in this desolate part of Weld County known as Roggen. It’s this view that first attracted developers and siblings Michael and Chris Keiser to this desolate landscape.

“The moment I set foot on this land, I knew this was the place,” says Michael Keiser.  “The dunes are perfect – tall and rolling, with unlimited possibilities for great golf holes. I also knew that Bill and Ben had to work here.  Luckily, it didn’t take much to convince them.”

YEE-HAW! RODEO DUNES OPENS  

• What: Colorado’s newest destination resort, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, set on more than 4,000 acres of towering sand dunes. 
• When: Founder Preview Season is underway now. Public play begins early in 2027.
• Where: Roggen, about 35-40 minutes northeast of Denver International Airport.
• Tee Times: Public tee times for the 2027 season are expected to be available online.
• Cost: Planned public green fee is $350 for 18 holes when it opens for public play. The course is walking-only; caddies will be available for an additional fee.

Where Golf Meets Colorado’s Legacy

Rodeo Dunes is one of the most anticipated new public destinations in the United States. Developed by the Keisers, owners of the famed Sand Valley course in Wisconsin, the resort is designed around a spectacular expanse of natural sand dunes on Colorado’s Eastern Plains.

The first of several courses planned at the site was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who are among the country’s top designers. They have created numerous modern classics, including Sand Hills Golf Club in Nebraska, considered one of the top modern courses by many golfers.

Rodeo Dunes, which is currently open to early investors known as founders, sits atop 4,000 acres of sand dunes formed over hundreds of years of harsh winds and Colorado sunshine. The Kaisers describe the landscape as more akin to links golf in Ireland or Scotland than to the traditional destinations in the U.S. 

Indeed, stepping onto Rodeo Dunes feels a bit like stepping back in time. Aside from some power lines and farm buildings dotting the horizon, it has an isolated, windswept feel. The large rolling fairways are carved seamlessly into the landscape, and walking the fairways at times feels like you are walking into the earth, surrounded by sand dunes and towering bunkers.

Because carts aren’t allowed, the immersive landscape is part of the experience. There are caddies available, which is helpful for insight on where to aim and how to play the expansive course. There are no trees to provide shade or block the wind, which are elements of the challenge.

The first course is scheduled to open to the public early next year. Rather than moving large amounts of earth, they routed holes through the natural terrain, allowing the dunes to dictate strategy.

Rodeo Dunes measures just under 7,000 yards from the back tees, and it rewards creativity and strategy more than massive drives. Wide open fairways encourage aggressive play, while dunes, massive pot bunkers, and natural contours demand focus and concentration.

I could have played this course a half dozen times and never hit the same shot twice, and still had looks at birdies and pars. Often, we stood on the tee box, just marveling at the vastness, with no clue where the next green was. Our caddie would provide aimpoints you will only find at Rodeo Dunes, such as a cow’s skull, a radio tower, or a mound on the horizon.  

The second Rodeo Dunes layout, currently under construction, marks the solo debut design of Coore and Crenshaw associate Jimmy Craig. Rodeo Dunes could house as many as six courses envisioned for the property, along with a large putting area. Though still in its infancy, it shows potential to become a destination for those seeking a pure dunes experience.

The New American Golf Frontier: Colorado

Rodeo Dunes has a bit of the “if we build it, they will come” mentality.

“These dunes are so good,” Keiser says. “You could not ask for a better site. The land requires minimal shaping. We know what kind of work Bill and Ben do, and their routing is as great as you would expect from them. Rodeo Dunes gives every player the chance to experience the timeless joys of links golf.”

Bandon Dunes in Oregon has beaches and the ocean, whereas Roggen has cattle and cactus as its backdrop. Rodeo Dunes is just 45 minutes from Denver International Airport, making it more accessible than many destinations, yet it still has a rugged, remote feel.

The Colorado golf landscape is growing, and Rodeo Dunes bets on Colorado’s rise as a national destination, especially with newer destination-style projects that push beyond the traditional resort model. While the site is currently a dirt parking lot and trailer clubhouse, the Master Plan includes a clubhouse, lodge, and privately owned residences. There are plans for a 7.5-acre putting course dubbed “the Rockies,” which would be the world’s largest putting green.

Rodeo Dunes shares much of the same DNA as well-known attractions like Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Sand Hills Golf Club, Sand Valley Golf Resort, and Colorado’s own Ballyneal Golf Club.

With the addition of Rodeo Dunes to iconic courses like Castle Pines, Colorado is redefining golf in the American West. The Centennial State is attracting national attention, and what sets its scene apart from more established destinations is its emergence as one of the country’s most compelling destinations, especially for people seeking architecture, scenery and unusual experiences.

Colorado also offers a remarkably diverse portfolio, including mountain courses, historic clubs, resorts and prairie links – all within one state. The state benefits from a long summer season, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and easy access through Denver International Airport, making destination trips practical.

For those interested in checking out the new course, Rodeo Dunes is releasing 2027 tee times to insiders mid to late 2026. The only way to secure tee times is through the Rodeo Dunes website. 

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