Jill Knuckles - Owner, Tall Tail Llama Ranch My passion for llamas began in 1995 when my husband, Rob, and I purchased four llamas for packing purposes. However, it wasn’t long before we discovered a deep appreciation for showing llamas and the remarkable fiber they produce. Our first experience at the Estes Park Wool Market in 1996 was particularly memorable—our very first cria born on our ranch was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Light Wool Female. This success marked the beginning of our ongoing participation in the Estes Park Wool Market, which we continue to attend every year. Located in Collbran, Colorado, Tall Tail Llama Ranch is home to an average of 60 llamas, alongside our other animals, including peacocks, ducks, and chickens. We are passionate about weaving, dyeing, and crocheting with the exceptional fiber from our llamas. In addition to showing llamas, we regularly participate in Fiber Arts Festivals across the country. In 2023, we expanded our business by launching an online store that offers high-quality yarns, rovings, and other fiber products made from our llamas’ fleece. Outside of ranch life, Rob and I enjoy hiking with our llamas, mountain biking, and traveling to a different U.S. state each year. I have been involved with the Estes Park Wool Market since 1996 and have proudly served as the Superintendent of the Llama Show since 2014.
The llama, a domesticated South American camelid, has been valued for centuries by Andean cultures as a pack animal and fiber source. Known for their social nature, llamas thrive in herds and are intelligent, easily learning simple tasks. Their wool is soft, warm, and low in lanolin, making it a desirable fiber for spinning and crafting. Llamas play an important role in the fiber industry, providing a unique and versatile fleece for fiber enthusiasts.
