About us
Our Ranch and Legacy - Generations Strong
The Kraft Family History
Hilltop Hay & Livestock is more than just a business; it's a family tradition woven into the fabric of Fort Collins, Colorado, farming and ranching for over a century.
Our story begins in the southern part of the state in the 1880s. Cheri, a fifth-generation rancher, hails from a family that persevered through the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, and their ranching legacy continues to this day.
Meanwhile, Jason's family, the Kraft’s, established their homestead in Fort Collins in the early 1940s. They built a legacy of farming corn and sugar beets, and a 3,000-head grow-yard. Their family operation continues to this day.
Our Family Today
Jason, a Colorado State football player majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Ag Business, followed his passion for agriculture. After college, he worked at Cattle-Fax and later became a financial risk management specialist, founding Compass Ag Solutions. His passion is to help agriculture families with financial stability enabling family legacies to be passed on for generations.
Cheri, also a CSU graduate with a Master's in Extension Education and a bachelor’s in animal science, brought her expertise to the table. Together, they continued the family tradition, raising Angus and Angus cross cattle in Northern Colorado.
Jason and Cheri love the Lord Jesus Christ have been blessed with four kids and married for over 25 years. They are very involved in their community, taking the time to be on numerous boards and committees over the years.
In the last decade their focus has shifted to registered Angus cattle. Their four children, Kyli, Ty, Mataya and Clay, actively participate in the National Junior Angus Association and the Colorado Junior Angus Association. They are supporters of the local 4-H program and provide facilities and expertise to help 4-H members show market steers in their county that otherwise would not have the opportunity.
Our multi-generational approach ensures a wealth of knowledge and experience pass down through the family.