Kremmling, CO 80459(Grand County)

Many generations of thoughtful stewardship has made the Matheson Ranch productive for both cattle and hay. Two deeded parcels combined with a 1000-acre BLM lease has supported grazing of about 150 pair of cattle year-round, while producing 700-900 tons of hay on 450 acres of irrigated native grasses. Water rights from Troublesome Creek, which flows through the ranch, are excellent, as are rights to 1074 acre-feet from Matheson Reservoir.

The Matheson Ranch is divided into two deeded sections connected by the BLM lease. The river section of the ranch includes 800 acres and one mile of Troublesome Creek. This section is mostly valley bottom with grass meadows, surrounded by rolling sagebrush hills. The Antelope Creek section to the west includes 1120 acres that is nearly surrounded by public land. This section is prime habitat for elk and mule deer among sagebrush hills and also includes three ponds. The Antelope Creek section is under a conservation easement that preserves the land while allowing for a building envelope.

The reputation of Middle Park hunting and fishing is as legendary as its cattle ranching, and the Matheson Ranch is in the heart of it all. The mile of Troublesome Creek on the ranch has high potential as a wild trout resource. Presently this 10- to 15-foot wide stream is partially willow-lined and is home to a strong population of fat brown trout, many in the 12- to 16-inch class, with a few lunkers as well. A number of rock structures are already in place, and many more could be added with dramatic effect, given the streams large stonefly, caddis and mayfly population and consistent cold water flows. The Matheson Ranch is the highest ranch in the watershed, with minimal irrigation draw-downs. Four ponds on the ranch also hold trout, and few miles upstream on public land is Matheson Reservoir, which once produced a brook trout that tied the state record. As for big game, elk, mule deer and moose thrive in the area, and the trophy hunting opportunities are legion on both sections of the ranch and nearby public lands. At Matheson Ranch, end-of-the-road privacy is assured.

Improvements on the ranch include barns, outbuildings and fencing necessary to the cattle operation, and a two-story log home built in 1905, plus a new 3680 square-foot log home with four bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The latter includes a great deck with amazing views of the Eagles Wilderness to the south. The potential of adapting these homes into a first-class fishing and hunting headquarters is excellent.

At Matheson Ranch, youll feel in the middle of the Real West, but with easy access to Denver, only two hours away via US 40 and Interstate 70. Private jets can land at Kremmling, only minutes from the ranch. Lovers of downhill skiing will find a wealth of opportunities at Steamboat Springs, only an hour to the west, and Winter Park, only an hour to the east. Other recreational opportunities in the area include lake fishing at Wolford Mountain Reservoir, and hiking and horseback riding in the Arapahoe National Forest.

Harrigan Land Company believes that the epic ranching, fishing and hunting legacy of the Matheson Ranch is destined to continue. If youre drawn to consider being a part of the Matheson Ranch legacy, contact us and well dream with you about how the next chapter of this great Western story might be written.