Cerrillos, NM (Santa Fe County)

Size: 11,786 Acres

Type: Farms and Ranches

11,786 Acres in Cerrillos, NM - $3,400,000

I. PROPERTY OVERVIEW

The Ortiz Mountain Ranch is located in the Ortiz Mountains of Santa Fe County. Situated along State highway 14 Albuquerque lies approximately 26 miles to the south of the southernmost ranch boundary; the New Mexico state capital of Santa Fe lies approximately 16 miles to the north.

Seven miles to the northwest is historic Cerrillos, with its dirt streets a picturesque reminder of the Old West that has been used as a setting for several Hollywood motion pictures. In the 1880s, Cerrillos was part of a booming mining district that produced turquoise, lead, silver, gold, and zinc; the turquoise produced here even found its way to the crown jewels of Spain. The town once boasted 21 saloons and four hotels, and was seriously considered as a possible capital for the state of New Mexico.

II. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

Based on the lega...

Based on the legal description the ranch is estimated to be approximately 11,786.9 deeded acres which includes tract J in Sandoval County (the designated headquarters area). The main body of the ranch is approximately 11,501 acres all in Santa Fe County and includes the right of way area for highway 14. An alternative ranch headquarters area (tract J in nearby Sandoval County) has been designated to the west of the main body of the Ranch. This 320 +/- acre parcel is not contiguous with the rest of the ranch being approximately ½ mile west. Present access between the parcels is via an easement on established roadways through the tribal lands or by highway 22.

A legal description providing both metes and bounds and sectionalized text is available from the listing broker.

The famous Ball family (known for Ball jars and glasses) owned the property from 1966 to 2004 and used it for a cattle operation. After the death of Edmund Ball the ranch was donated to the Nature Conservancy, with the exception of a 640-acre parcel retained for the Ball family heirs which contains the Ball Ranch headquarters. The Ball family acquired the ranch from John and Paula Blackshere and it is believed that they used the ranch for cattle grazing as well.

The total acreage of the ranch may vary from approximate 11,500 acres.

III. MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights are believed to have been previously reserved that are associated with the deeded lands; however the Nature Conservancy does not intend to make any reservations as part of the sale since the conservation easement restricts their development.

IV. WATER RIGHTS

The Nature Conservancy intends to pass any water rights appurtenant to the subject property they may own to the buyer as part of the sale.

V. CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS

Ortiz Mountain Ranch is a property of significant conservation value. In the interest of protecting that value the Nature Conservancy has placed a conservation easement that will preserve in perpetuity the Ranchs open space and agricultural characteristics. The easement prohibits further subdivision; land fills; mining of sand and gravel and the construction of buildings and roads, except on tract J.

VI. TERRAIN FEATURES

The Ortiz Mountain Ranch is named after the Ortiz Mountains that it is a part of. There are at least 6 peaks on the ranch in excess of 8,000 ft msl and the east boundary is within a few hundred feet of the highest peak in the area called Placer Mountain. The property includes all or portions of Gypsy Queen Canyon, Canon Monte del Largo, Stagecoach Canyon, and Eagle Canyon. The ranch area is serviced by multiple roads and 4 wheel drive trails including paved highway 14 and gravel highway 22 which connects 14 with interstate 25. Tract J is characteristically high desert terrain being generally flat to slightly rolling and irregular hills. Elevations range between approximately 6040 to a high of 6137msl. The second edition of the New Mexico in Maps publication indicates that the predominant grasses for the area are ricegrass and galleta. Shrub vegetation consists of a scattering of Colorado Pinion, Juniper and big Sagebrush between 6000 to 6500 ft elevations and Ponderosa Pine the more dominant tree at higher elevations. Annual precipitation ranges between 10 to 14 inches. The major drainage favors the Rio Grand Basin.

VII. LISTED PRICE

The listing price for the Ortiz Mountain Ranch property is $4,255,000 for approximately 11,500 acres which includes tract J. The property is listed exclusively with Larry Brow of Azure Enterprises, Inc. Participation with cooperating brokers is available. New Mexico licensed cooperating brokers must execute a cooperating brokerage agreement with Azure Enterprises, Inc. and represent the buyer and/or act as a transaction broker under New Mexico Law. Foreign brokers (not licensed in New Mexico) must work through Larry Brow or another New Mexico broker pursuant to New Mexico State Law.

VIII. CONDITIONS OF SALE

Cash or new financing is requested. The Nature Conservancy prefers not to engage in seller financing.