Dick Tanner grew up on the Bohart Ranch after his father, Jim, began managing it for Field Bohart in 1942. After attending college and spending several years in agricultural finance in Denver, he and his wife, Sandra, returned to the ranch. The Tanner family ranches 48,000 acres of State Land Board land near Yoder, in addition to land that has been in Sandra's for decades. The family runs a cow-calf operation.

Dick Tanner is a role model and spokesperson for his profession. As president of the Cattlemen's Association, he took the lead in partnering with the State Land Board and The Nature Conservancy, when doing so was neither popular nor common. He set an example for fellow ranchers on how ranching can survive economically while coexisting with scientific and conservation interests.

The Tanner's ultimate contribution to the ranching community and the preservation of working ranches might be that their son, Nate, chose to return to the ranch to work with his father. Under Dick's mentorship, Nate grew into a well-respected rancher, involved with the State Land Board and serving as president of the Pike's Peak Cattlemen's Association.

"I am honored to write this letter of support on behalf of Dick Tanner," wrote Jay Frost of Frost Livestock Company in his letter of recommendation. "He is a very effective leader as he has gained the respect of cattlemen, environmentalists, scientists, business partnerships, family, neighbors, and his community. Dick Tanner cares deeply about the people and the land. There is no better man to steward these resources than Dick Tanner."