Mancos, CO (Montezuma County)

Nestled in the picturesque Mancos River Valley, against the backdrop of Weber Mountain and BLM lands to the south and Mesa Verde to the west. It is a convenient 10 minutes from the town of Mancos and thirty-five minutes west of Durango’s historic downtown area. It is located on the west side of County Road 39, 4 miles from US Highway 160. The ranch is at an elevation 7,600 ft. above sea level, with scenic mountain and river valley views, and over 300 days of sunshine each year. Comfortable summer temperatures reach the upper 80s, while the autumn days are clear, cool and full of vibrant foliage colors. The crisp and sunny winter days often feature abundant, light powdery snow.

Mancos sits at the base of Mesa Verde National Park, and as a small rural town, offers basic services to the surrounding community. The charming town of Durango is located 25 miles to the north, and has many big city conveniences, including a state-of-the-art new hospital, many fine restaurants, hotels, shopping, a four-year college, and numerous cultural activities. The four-corners area provides endless activities for the outdoor sports enthusiast. The Montezuma County area, which includes Mancos, Cortez and Dolores, has a population of approximately 30,000 and is the most southwestern of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado. Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Yucca House National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument preserve hundreds of ancient American Indian structures, including the famous cliff dwellings, found in the county. Roughly 1/3 of the county is tribal land, 1/3 is federal land (administered by the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management), and 1/3 is private or state/county land. The La Plata County area, including Durango and Bayfield has a population of 45,000. La Plata County Airport runs daily commercial air service to Denver, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City and Phoenix, with seasonal service to Houston and Dallas, and includes facilities for full service general aviation. The property is approximately 75 miles from Telluride, 170 miles from Grand Junction, 210 miles from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, about 320 miles from Denver and Colorado Springs and 430 miles from Phoenix.

Property Details

Outside and Grounds

653 plus acres of irrigated hay pastures, lush riparian area and Cottonwoods along the Mancos River, and some areas of thick Juniper, Cedar, and Pinion woodlands

Adjacent to hundreds of acres of BLM lands

Significant adjudicated water rights (call for lengthy list) and 5 rural water taps

1.5+ miles of the Mancos River providing excellent fly fishing and recreation

Numerous out buildings to include: Large heated mechanic shop (approx 2,432 SF) and welding shop (approx. 784 SF), both with cement floors and lots of storage for large equipment and irrigation pipes; cement floors; three calving corrals; 2 hay storage areas for 10,000 bales each (see attached aerial for placement)

Full perimeter fencing

Irrigation system with underground piping and 7 side-rolls (1,300’-to-1,700’) provides water to approximately 350+ acres

Equipment included:

2003 7410 John Deere Tractor with 740 front loader, 110 hp, 4 WD

3 Fork hay bale attachment

2006 9540 Kubota Tractor, 97 hp, 4 WD

16’ Hale bale elevator

14’ Double bar disk

12’ John Deere 930 packer

John Deere 8’ 3-point hitch scraper blade

10’ Box scraper

2007 5’ Brush hog

Fertilizer spreader

2007 18’ Apache feeder wagon

Massey Ferguson post-hole auger 3-point hitch

500 and 25 gallon trailer mounted weed sprayer

Goose neck 6 horse trailer

16’ heavy duty flatbed trailer

2006 Yamaha Rhino side-by-side

1999 Kawasaki 3010 Mule side-by-side

2006 Arctic Cat 500, 4 WD, 4-wheeler

Riding mower

Oxygen acetylene torch

250 amp Welder

Assorted select hand tools

Livestock included: Registered Black Angus- 4 breeder bulls, 28 calves, 34 mother cows

Cattle, hay production and house rentals create positive cash flow (see attached revenue projections)

Conservation Easement exist on all but 13 acres

The acreage held out of the conservation easement has several exceptional building sites, both along the river and on a hill overlooking the property and valley

Abundant wildlife, including mule deer, elk, black bear, coyote, turkey, and other small game and birds of prey

Several well-kept historic structures are located on the property that add to overall character and feeling

Gorgeous views can be found from most parts of the property

MAIN RESIDENCE

The main residence is a 1998 side-by-side house placed on a foundation with approximately 2,336 SF. It is a high-end model, full of light with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. There is a huge sunken living room, dining room, and large kitchen with all electric appliances. The kitchen, baths and mudroom are tiled and the rest of home is carpeted. Heating is by forced-air propane furnace with 1,000-gallon tank. There is fully insulated and heated 1,024 SF detached 3-car garage. This home is located near the entrance to the property and it has exceptional views from the full-length covered decks to the river valley and Mesa Verde.

ORIGINAL HOMESTEAD

This home is currently being used as the ranch manager’s house – it was built in 1950 and remodeled in 1993. It has 4-carpeted bedrooms, 2 baths with tile floors, living room with moss rock fireplace, large tiled kitchen and mudroom. There is forced-air propane heating, and a 2-car carport. This home is on lovely private site overlooking the hay meadows and Mesa Verde.

GUEST/STAFF HOUSE #1

The larger of the two-guest/staff houses is 788 SF and used as a rental. It is located above the river, just outside of the entrance to the ranch. The location lends itself to this use. The house was built in 1945 and was remodeled in 2005. It has 1 bedroom, 1 bath with jet tub and walk-in shower, living and dining room, kitchen and well-insulated full basement. There is a washer/dryer, propane furnace and 250-gallon tank. This is a great little home with convenient location and great views.

GUEST/STAFF HOUSE #2

The smaller guest/staff house was built in 1998 and fully remodel in 2009. It is 572 SF with a small living area, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom with sink, shower and washer/dryer, kitchen with new appliances and cabinets, wood and tile floors, wall furnace, and 250-gallon propane tank. This home is near the storage buildings and shop, making it convenient for a ranch hand or it could be used as a rental.

Wildlife and Recreation

The open hay meadows attract all types of game from a resident herd of elk, to mule deer, wild turkey, coyote and an occasional black bear. The woodland areas provide excellent habitat and protection, along with the BLM lands which are isolated from outside influence. The property has good equestrian riding terrain, and the BLM offers great trails and topography for hiking and climbing. The ranch has a pond and 1.5 miles of the Mancos River, which support the wildlife in the area and provide an great opportunity for fishing. Also, for lake fishing, Jackson Reservoir provides a wonderful destination, just minutes from the ranch. The Animas, Florida, Pine and San Juan Rivers are all within an hour of the ranch for exceptional fly-fishing.

For downhill skiing, Durango Mountain Resort is a 55-minute drive from the ranch, while Wolf Creek Ski Area is an hour and 30 minutes away. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow-mobiling are also available throughout the area and on the ranch. Summertime is filled with opportunities for riding, hiking, fishing, boating, golfing and visiting the local Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners National Monument. Excellent golf can be found in Durango at Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Hillcrest Community Club, the private Glacier Club (memberships available), and a top-rated public course, called Pinion Hills, can be found in Farmington, NM (approximately 40 miles).