Survivalist bunker in Colorado activates 'collapse' mode ahead of Election Day

A group of survivalists in southern Colorado are stepping up their preparations for societal collapse as Election Day nears.

Fortitude Ranch, set up by a former US air force intelligence officer, has activated what Fox News termed “collapse mode” for the first time in its history.

Drew Miller, CEO of Fortitude Ranch, has not responded to the Independent’s question as to what that actually meant., but from the website it appears that “collapse” mode means any member of the community can move from their homes to the site, free of charge.

Members of Fortitude Ranch pay $1,000 annually for up to 10 days a year on the grounds, and during “collapse” times can come and stay for free.

Fortitude Ranch also has sites in West Virginia and Wisconsin, with plans to expand into Nevada.

Mr Miller showed Fox around the Colorado site, and explained that they were heavily armed, with enough food and household supplies to weather any storm for up to a year.

“Yes, civil war seems unlikely," Mr Miller told Fox.

"You don’t estimate the probability of something like that, but is it inconceivable? Absolutely not. The election could be a real trigger.”

The site is staffed round-the-clock by paid employees, rather than volunteers, and has guard towers positioned at the perimeter.

Inside the compound are wooden log cabins, used as holiday homes during the quiet times, but equipped with underground bunkers.

“It’s a good nine feet tall, 16 feet wide, 30-some feet long, and three feet of earth covering it,” said Mr Miller, showing off the submarine hatches that protected it.

The ranch keeps livestock and has solar power in a bid to be entirely self-sufficient.

There are medical supplies, and even what Mr Miller says is an operating theatre, with former military medics on site. 

Members of the community — and non members, for a $1,200 fee — can take part in a two-day survival skills course,  where they are taught about “key survival principles”.

The course manifesto says participants learn about “bug out bags”, tactical movement, starting and managing fires, AR-15s, defending a house or compound, and caring for livestock.

They are also taught radiation and chemical detection and decontamination strategies, how to use solar systems and power,  growing food in a collapse, and how to hunt and fish.

Kiki Bandilla, one of the ranch members, told Fox she liked the feeling of being prepared.

“It’s kind of like an insurance policy," she said. 

“You never hope to have to use it, but it’s certainly nice to have when you do and it’s really just about peace of mind.”

Ms Bandilla does not plan to stay at the Fortitude Ranch during the election.

“It’s just about being prepared for anything. I’ve always said we’re better together than we are alone. We can leverage each other’s expertise,” she said.

Mr Miller said he was not paranoid, but merely prepared.

“If they show up and then bad things don’t happen, then hike, vacation and enjoy yourselves,” he said.