LOCATION
The Horse Creek Ranch - Main Unit begins at the east end of Judge Orr Road approximately 27 miles from its intersection with Highway 24 which is two and a-half miles northeast from Falcon (Falcon is approximately 16 miles from the Colorado Springs Airport). Alternatively, the ranch can be accessed from Calhan by going to Harrisville Road two miles east of Calhan, then east twelve miles to County Road 133 (Holtwood Road), then south six miles. From the south, the ranch is two miles east from Rush on Highway 94, then north on Holtwood (County Road 133) eight miles. The ranch lies mostly in Elbert County, with a small portion lying west of County Road 133 in El Paso County.
The Lone Cedar Unit is 12 miles north of Simla or 20 miles east of Kiowa and three miles north of Highway 86. This parcel is in Elbert County.
ACREAGE AND WATER
The Horse Creek Ranch - Main Unit consists of 6,604 acres, more or less, all deeded. This parcel includes 200+ acres of irrigable meadow (320 acres of decreed irrigated area) and approximately 800 acres of sub-irrigated lands that lie along Horse Creek and Adobe Creek. The headwaters of Horse Creek and Adobe Creek are formed by a dozen or more springs originating on the ranch. Horse Creek, which is lined by cottonwoods and willows, bisects the property for more than five miles, providing wildlife habitat and winter protection for livestock. Horse Creek itself is very scenic and the aesthetic value is significant.
The irrigated meadows are irrigated from five ditches that originate from Horse Creek. The early priority direct flow water rights provide for 15.5 cubic feet per second with a consumptive use equivalent of 268 acre-feet-year. In addition, three large reservoirs on the ranch provide for 61.56 acre-feet of storage rights. Underground water availability from the Laramie- Fox Hills aquifer is estimated at 407 acre-feet per year.
The Lone Cedar Unit consists of 4,640 deeded acres and 2, 068 acres of State of Colorado Lease. The State Lease is for a term of 10 years and the annual cost is $2.86/acre. The Lone Cedar Unit has underground water available from the Arapahoe aquifer and the Laramie Fox Hills aquifer estimated at 492 and 1,183 acre-feet per year, respectively.
The ranch has excellent grass cover and production. The grass varieties include prairie tall grasses such as big bluestem, sand bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, and prairie short grasses such as blue grama and buffalo grass. Meadow grasses include clover, alfalfa, western and crested wheatgrass, brome and rye grass. Along the creek one can find wild asparagus, watercress, tarragon and mint.
The ranch has excellent water characteristics. In addition to the springs, creeks and reservoirs the Horse Creek Main unit also has three windmills (one with submersible pump) and two domestic wells. The Lone Cedar unit has 14 windmills (two with submersible pumps) and two submersible wells.
The ranch is cross-fenced with 19 pastures on the Main Unit and 12 pastures on the Lone Cedar Unit. The fences on both parcels are in good condition and generally consist of four-strand barbed wire on wood and steel posts.
IMPROVEMENTS
The buildings are all on the Main Unit and consist of the following
Main Home:
A 3,000 square feet approximately. Five-bedroom, three-bath, historic home and dating back over 100 years. The home has been remodeled and boasts hardwood flooring, a custom kitchen and detached three-car garage.
Livestock:
Several livestock barns and sheds exist along with the corrals and stockyards. These improvements are older, yet adequate for the operation.
Labor Home:
A 1,800 square feet approximately. A three-bedroom, one-bath home with attached workshop and horse corral with shed.
Airstrip:
A 3,000 foot grass landing strip. Other improvements consist of numerous miles of fencing and water improvements. These necessary improvements are in good condition.
OPERATION
The ranch is owner rated at 500 animal units under normal conditions. The ranch has not been operating at capacity due to lower precipitation the last few years. The Lone Cedar Unit is used as summer grazing for the main cowherd. Replacement heifers are kept on the Main Unit during the first summer and then they are run with second calving cows the first winter before moving into the main cowherd. The first calf heifers are bred to calving-ease Angus bulls the first year. Under the current operation, the owner pastures the irrigated land in the spring and winter and supplements with protein in the winter. The cattle are available private treaty and consist of straight Charolais selected for carcass, milk and calving-ease traits.
Horse Creek Ranch is an economical operating ranch with the capability for high beef production at a low input cost. The versatility of the Main Unit allows for earlier or later calving and weaning periods. The varied terrain and creek bottom provide protection against winter storms. The native irrigated and sub-irrigated lands are a hedge against droughts as well as flexibility in production programs. The Horse Creek Ranch is without question one of the finer cattle ranches on the market today.
AREA & CLIMATE
The area is served by Colorado Springs, which is a large city with all amenities including commercial air service. A number of smaller towns are within 15 miles and offer limited services including Rush, Simla and Calhan. The general area from Colorado Springs north and east has been developing into 35-acre "ranchettes" over the last 20 years and at an accelerated pace in the last eight years. This development has occurred very close to the Horse Creek Ranch Main Unit thus providing support for land values in the area.
Simla, Kiowa and Limon serve the area near the Lone Cedar Unit, all with schools. Limon and Kiowa are the county seats for Lincoln and Elbert Counties and they offer most services. This area has been experiencing development pressure from the Denver metroplex as many areas around Elizabeth and Kiowa have been parceled into 35-acre tracts.
The front range cities of Colorado Springs and Denver offer the finest in cultural and recreational opportunities. Living 45 to 90 minutes from these opportunities is considered an amenity that most ranch families do not enjoy. In addition, the local area provides some of the best in terms of local rodeos and fairs, not to mention the State Fair in Pueblo each year.
The elevation of the Horse Creek Ranch ranges from 5,800 to 6,100 feet and the elevation on the Lone Cedar unit ranges from 5,700 to 6,200.
Climatic records maintained about eight miles from the ranch headquarters for 15 years indicate an average annual participation of 15.03 inches per year. Temperature averages (Degrees F. Daily minimum/maximum) are 15/39 in January and in 52/84 July. The growing season, based upon temperatures above 28 Degrees F., is 202 days from April 11 to October 29. The growing season, based upon temperatures above 32 Degrees F., is 176 days from April 21 to October 13.
SUMMARY
Horse Creek Ranch offers an unparalleled location for a large acreage ranch. The location of both units is favorable for long-term development and thus enhanced valuation increases. The water rights of these properties are a significant investment consideration for acreage of this size and location.
The favorable economics of this ranch as an ongoing operation along with its prime location in the path of front range growth, valuable water rights, and last but not least, the wildlife, scenery and aesthetic values make this one of the finest properties on the market in Colorado and surrounding states. The opportunity to own a ranch of this caliber is not available every day.
Please contact us to schedule your private showing.