Rep. Tim Dunn helps preserve Arizona Heritage Ranches

Dude ranches are typically vacation resorts for tourists in the western United States

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - Representative Tim Dunn (R-Arizona) has been working to preserve and promote the dude ranch, a piece of Arizona history, culture, and tourism with a bill that was signed by the Arizona governor.

Governor Katie Hobbs (D-Arizona) signed Rep. Dunn's bill that will add historical markers to state routes and highways to identify dude ranch locations to travelers.

These signs along the road will help identify Arizona dude ranches and have been designated as "Arizona Heritage Ranches."

According to the Arizona House of Representatives, the bill places dude ranches into Class Four for property tax considerations to help out with its financial burden and support the effort to conserve land and preserve open spaces.

Dude ranches have struggled with property taxes due to the strict standards and mandatory requirements such as maintaining at least 1,000 contiguous acres and having an organized horse program with a heard to match at least the number of accommodated guests.

The Arizona House of Representatives said qualifying dude ranches will receive a modest reduction in their taxable value with a 10 percent assessment ratio.

“There are just 17 dude ranches remaining in Arizona today and only a few of them will qualify for the Heritage Ranch Program,” said Representative Dunn. “These ranches are a special and irreplaceable part of our state’s unique cultural heritage. It’s important to support them so future generations have the opportunity to experience.”