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LOCATION
The 14,035 deeded acre Fortune Ranch is located 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 most parts of the ranch. The Sand Dunes National Park is three miles by horseback from the western border of the ranch by way of Mosca Pass, and the views are spectacular.
The ranch can be reached several different ways. From Colorado Springs go south on I-25 to Pueblo where you will go west on Highway 50 through Canon City to Texas Creek. A good portion of this route will be through the scenic Arkansas River Canyon. At Texas Creek turn south on Highway 69 through the Wet Mountain Valley and the charming little town of Westcliffe to Gardner, then west 13 miles on County Road 550 to the ranch headquarters. A second option from Highway 50 is to go through the town of Florence, just east of Canon City, to the town of Wetmore. From here you will take Highway 96 over the Wet Mountains to Westcliffe, then proceed south on Highway 69.
If you prefer to use I-25 from Colorado Springs or Santa Fe take the northernmost exit to Walsenburg, proceed west 25 miles on Highway 69 to Gardner. From Gardner continue west 13-miles on County Road 550 to the ranch headquarters. From the ranch Pueblo is 80 miles, Colorado Springs is 120 miles, Denver is 175 miles, all to the north, and Santa Fe, New Mexico is 260 miles south.
The nearest commercial airport is Colorado Springs which is served by a number of major airlines and can handle any size private aircraft. The Silver West Airport, conveniently located between Gardner and Westcliffe, abut 30 miles north or the ranch, has a 7000 feet runway that is 40 feet wide at an elevation 0f 8,290, and can handle most private jet aircraft.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Fortune Ranch is a study in topographical diversity, from lush irrigated hay meadows and riparian land to high mountain pastures and alpine forests. The ranch is comprised of eight individual parcels, three of which are connected by State lease land, or BLM and National Forest land. The Headquarters, Lower Higby and Cottonsack parcels are in very close proximity to each other. The most distant large parcel is approximately five miles from the headquarters. All of the improvements and irrigated ground as well as cattle working facilities are on the headquarters and Lower Higby parcels. There are three hunting / fishing cabins in remote mountain locations.
The Huerfano Valley is an agricultural community made up of various size ranches and farms ranging from 160 acres to one of about 70,000 acres. Volunteer fire and ambulance service is available in Gardner. Other services, shopping and medical facilities are available in Walsenburg and / or Pueblo.
A Phase One Environmental Site Assessment has been done 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.”
ACREAGE / TERRAIN
Parcel:
Redwing Headquarters
Deeded 966 ac.
BLM 40 ac.
State 40 ac.
Irrigated 500 ac.
Martin
Deeded 1,640 ac.
BLM 200 ac.
State 640 ac.
Mosca
Deeded 5,040 ac.
BLM 720 ac.
State 640 ac.
Muddy
Deeded 2,920 ac.
BLM 2,600 ac.
State 640 ac.
Huerfano
Deeded 1,840 ac.
BLM 80 ac.
Lower Higby
Deeded 909 ac.
Irrigated 450 ac.
So. Huerfano
Deeded 400 ac.
Cottonsack
Deeded 320 ac.
BLM 1,520 ac.
The National Forest lease is on approximately 13,000 acres which borders the ranch on the south and the west. Total deeded and leased acreage for the ranch is 34,155 acres.
Red Wing Headquarters and Lower Higby are made up of lush irrigated meadows and pasture land, riparian and wetland areas. The Huerfano River runs through both of these parcels of the ranch for an estimated 2-1/2 miles and there are two ponds on each of the parcels. It’s estimated that there are approximately 500 acres of irrigated land on the Red Wing Headquarters and about 450 acres on the Lower Higby.
Martin, Mosca, Huerfano and South Huerfano parcels have vast high mountain pastures and alpine lands covered with spruce, pine and aspen trees. The ranch has three water storage reservoirs which 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 about three miles west of the Mosca parcel.
Muddy and Cottonsack parcels are at lower elevation and are mostly flat to rolling dry-land pasture with some expansive meadows and sparse to dense areas of Pinion pine.
Views from almost the entire ranch are quite spectacular and include several 14,000' peaks in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, including Mt.Blanca to the southwest.
IMPROVEMENTS
Headquarters: The Huerfano River meanders through this portion of the ranch for about
1-1/2 miles offering good fishing possibilities. Note: With some modifications and improvements to the stream the quality of fishing could be greatly enhanced.
Cattle working and shipping facilities are located here and include: ten working / holding pens, a 10,000 lb. scale and loading chutes. The calving shed /barn 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. These facilities are in fair to good condition.
The residence on this parcel is a modest older two-story adobe with four bedrooms and one bath. Water is provided by a well, heat and appliances are propane.
Lower Higby: The Huerfano River runs through this part of the ranch for about one mile. The historic house with two-foot-thick walls has three bedrooms and one and a-half baths. The house has been remodeled inside, with a state-of-the-art kitchen being the focal point. The appliances, which are all new, include: a sub-zero freezer and refrigerator, Hobart commercial dishwasher, Dacor oven and a Dacor six burner range with double brick-lined ovens. A large tiled island has two warming drawers. The house is adobe with one and a-half to two foot thick walls. There is a dog shower in the rear mudroom. Water is provided by a well, heat and appliances are propane.
Other improvements include: a barn, which is a 120' x 30' metal building with a veterinary room, six stalls and an open riding arena. 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.
WATER RIGHTS
The ranch holds extensive water rights for irrigation purposes and storage rights in three reservoirs. Please contact Listing Broker for a complete list of these rights.
MINERAL RIGHTS
Price to include all mineral rights owned by the seller.
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 and some antelope can be found mostly in the lower elevations. Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep, bear, mountain lion, coyote and bobcat are also inhabitants of the ranch.
There are three remote cabins which have been used as hunting / fishing cabins, and as “cow camps.” The cabin on the Huerfano parcel is near the headwaters area of the Huerfano River and is one of the more favored fishing areas. The storage reservoirs have been stocked with German Brown and Rainbow trout.
CARRYING CAPACITY
The historical carrying capacity of the ranch, including all leased lands and grazing allotments, is approximately 700 animal units (AU’s). This figure is based on the average “normal” year and will fluctuate according to management and precipitation. The current owners, in the interest of preserving abundant high quality grazing for both cattle and wildlife, have chosen to reduce the number of AU’s to approximately two hundred and fifty. This number will be increased based on forage conditions.
BROKER’S COMMENTS
Seldom does a ranch of this magnitude come available in this day and age, as there aren’t many left. Numerous large 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. 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 herded to their summer pastures on horseback, not trucked, a step back in time.
PRICE
$19,500,000 Cash or terms acceptable to Seller. Seller may wish to complete an IRS code 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange.
SHOWINGS
Shown by appointment only. A minimum 48-hour advance notice is absolutely required. Please contact Sellers Exclusive Listing Broker to schedule a showing, or for further information.
Co-listed with: Clay Griffith, Western Land Sales.
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LOCATION: Gardner, Colorado |
PRICE: Offered for $19,500,000 |
CONTACT: Ted Schaal |
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Copyright © 2008 Mason & Morse Ranch Company
214 Eight Street Suite 100 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Phone: (970)928.7100 or toll free (877)207.9700
Fax: (970)928.7200 E-mail: sales@ranchland.com
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