The ranch is comprised of six individual deeded parcels and,State and BLM leased land totaling 16,757 acres, of which 10,557 acres are deeded.
The ranch has all of the components buyers of large investment / recreational ranches are looking for: good carrying capacity, abundant irrigated ground for farming, fishing on approximately three miles of the Huerfano River, hunting for elk, deer, antelope, bear and Big Horn sheep, and thousands of acres for hiking, horseback riding, four wheeling, snowmobiling, and dirt and mountain biking. Abundant opportunities exist to create a family compound or personal retreat in a variety of topographies, while living in the current improvements. The Fortune Ranch is a blank canvas waiting for the personalization of the new owner(s).
Commercial air service is available in Colorado Springs that is served by several major airlines and can handle any size private aircraft. The Pueblo Airport can accommodate most, if not all, private aircraft. Custer County Airport south of Westcliffe can handle most private jet aircraft and is about 30 miles north of the ranch. Volunteer fire and ambulance service is available in Gardner. Other services, shopping and medical facilities are available in Trinidad, Walsenburg and Pueblo.
LOCATION
The ranch is on the eastern slope of the majestic Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range in the beautiful Huerfano Valley. Mt. Blanca (“a fourteener”) can be viewed from many parts of the ranch. The Sand Dunes National Park is only four miles by horseback from the western border of the ranch by way of Mosca Pass, and the views are spectacular.
Coming from Denver, Colorado Springs or Santa Fe on I-25 take the northernmost exit to Walsenburg, proceed west 25 miles on Highway 69 to Gardner, CO. From Gardner continue west 10 miles on County Road 550, then on County Road 580, to the ranch headquarters. Approximate mileages from the ranch: Pueblo 90 miles, Colorado Springs 130 miles and Denver 190 miles. Santa Fe, NM is 260 miles south. To reach the ranch from the west via Highway 50 you will take Highway 69 thru the charming town of Westcliffe to County Road 550 on the north side of Gardner, then west to the ranch.
Total deeded and leased acreage for the ranch is 16,757 acres.
The Red Wing and Higby parcels are made up of lush irrigated meadows and pastures, and riparian and wetland areas. The Red Wing has dramatic rock outcroppings, some of which frame the current compound. The Huerfano River runs through both parcels of the ranch for an estimated total of 3 miles and there are several ponds on each of the parcels.
There’s an estimated 450 acres of irrigable land on each of the Red Wing and Higby parcels. The Higby has an organic apple orchard with estate-sized trees.
The Mosca and South Huerfano parcels are made up of high mountain grass pastures and alpine lands covered with spruce, pine and aspen trees. The ranch has two water storage reservoirs that are located in these upper areas of the ranch. These parcels border, or partially border the San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is approximately 4 miles west of the Mosca parcel.
The Muddy and Cottonsack parcels are at lower elevations with mostly flat to rolling dryland pasture with some expansive meadows and sparse to dense areas of Pinion pine.
Views from almost the entire ranch are spectacular and include several 14,000' peaks in the majestic Sange de Cristo Mountains, including Mt. Blanca to the southwest. At more than one location, it can be said that the ranch extends for as far as the eye can see.
IMPROVEMENTS
Red Wing: The Huerfano River meanders through this portion of the ranch for about one mile offering some good fishing for Brookies and Brown trout. Stream modifications and enhancements are available for the serious fisher. The main house on this parcel is an older 2-story with 4 bedrooms and one bathroom. Water is provided by a well, heat and appliances are propane. There are older cattle working and shipping facilities that include: working / holding pens and loading chutes. The barn, which is partially used for calving has a hay storage area, electricity, telephone, and tack room. In addition, there is a large loafing shed and a multiple bay equipment storage facility. There is an employee house, approximately 1,860 sq. ft., built in 2007 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Higby: The Huerfano River runs through this part of the ranch for about two miles. The main house with 1-1/2 to 2-foot thick adobe walls has three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. Portions of the interior have been remodeled, including a new chef’s kitchen with a Sub Zero freezer and refrigerator, Hobart commercial dishwasher, Dacor oven and a Dacor 6-burner range with double brick-lined ovens. A large tiled island has 2-warming drawers. There is a dog shower in the rear mudroom. Water is provided by a well, heat and appliances are propane. There is an employee house, approximately 1,860 sq. ft., built in 2007 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Other improvements include: 120' x 30' metal structure with a veterinary room and six stalls. The metal machine shop / equipment building (100' x 50') has a concrete floor, 14' high door, and is partially insulated. The six-car metal garage has a concrete floor and is insulated. The most up-to-date cattle working facilities, including a squeeze chute and a 10,000 lb. scale, are on this parcel.
Mosca: This parcel has a period house and compound that could be restored to serve as a high mountain cabin for hunting and other high mountain adventures. There are no improvements on the Muddy and Cottonsack parcels, other than fencing and a well on each. The South Huerfano parcel has fencing only.
WILDLIFE & RECREATION
The Huerfano Valley is rich in wildlife. Elk are abundant and can be found predominantly in the upper reaches of the ranch during the warmer months and on the lower part of the ranch in colder months. Deer can be found throughout the ranch and antelope can be found on several parcels with more vast open areas. Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep, bear, mountain lion, coyote and bobcat are also inhabitants of the ranch. In the past the storage reservoirs have been stocked with German Brown and Rainbow trout.
CARRYING CAPACITY
The carrying capacity of the ranch, including all leased lands and grazing allotments, is estimated to be 125 to 150 animal units (AU’s) year round. These figures are based on the average “normal” year and will fluctuate according to management and precipitation.
WATER RIGHTS
The ranch holds extensive water rights for irrigation purposes and storage rights in two reservoirs. Please contact Listing Broker for a complete list of these rights.
A Phase One Environmental Site Assessment has been previously performed on the ranch. The conclusion of the inspector is that “There were no recognized environmental conditions discovered and no environmental impact that would relate to this property.” As a result “no further action was recommended.” The report will be provided to serious prospective buyers.
MINERAL AND EXECUTIVE RIGHTS
The Muddy and Red Wing parcels are currently subject to an oil and gas lease which was recently assigned to the exploration wing of a major oil company. The seller will convey all mineral rights owned, and executive rights owned, BUT will retain a fifty percent (50%) interest in the executed oil and gas lease on the Muddy and Red Wing parcels.
BROKERS COMMENTS
Seldom does a ranch of this magnitude come available in this day and age as there aren’t many left. Numerous large mountain ranches have been taken out of production and divided into smaller parcels. The Fortune Ranch has so many desirable attributes it’s hard to know where to begin itemizing them. The climate in southern Colorado and the Huerfano Valley is moderate--summers are not too hot and the winters are not harsh. Colorado in general has over 300 days a year of sunshine. And, the air is clean and fresh. The views, both on the ranch and of the surrounding mountains, are quite spectacular--and they’re constantly changing. For wildlife viewers and hunters alike the ranch is a paradise. For those looking to slow the pace down, this is where you can do it. This is a real “cowboy outfit.” Cattle are driven to their summer pastures on horseback, not trucked. “A step back in time.”
SPECIAL NOTE
The San Isabel Land Protection Trust has expressed a strong desire to place conservation easements on any or all parcels of the ranch to preserve them as agricultural land. The land trust is willing to raise funds to purchase limited development rights on the property. Dedication of these easements may provide a new owner with substantial funds and / or federal tax deductions and state tax credits (which can be sold), effectively providing a rebate on the purchase of the ranch. The land trust is willing to discuss these possibilities at any time. Contact Ben Lenth: 719-783-3018, ben@sanisabel.org.
PRICE $11,500,000 Seller will consider all reasonable offers from well qualified buyers. Seller may want to perform an IRS #1031 Exchange.
Individual parcels may also be purchased as follows:
Higby, $2,650,000
Mosca, $3,550,000
South Huerfano, $800,000
Cottonsack, $375,000
Red Wing $2,250,000
Muddy, $2,100,000
SHOWINGS
Shown by appointment only. A minimum 48-hour advance notice is required. Please contact Sellers Exclusive Listing Agent to schedule a showing, or for further information.
Seller will consider all reasonable offers from qualified buyers.