SILVER CREEK RANCH

Silver Creek Ranch is a stunning 400 +/-acre ranch located near Mancos, Montezuma County, Colorado, approximately 30 miles west of Durango, and is surrounded by the San Juan National Forest. The Middle Fork of the Mancos River and Silver Creek flow through the ranch, offering excellent water sources for the abundant wildlife.  The ranch is heavily treed with mature Ponderosa pines, stands of Aspen trees, Spruce trees and Gamble oak. There are many roads and trails that run throughout the ranch which are ideal for horseback riding, hiking, snowshoeing and all-terrain vehicles. The entrance to the ranch is a new high quality, all weather road. Mineral rights are owned by the seller and will convey with the property. The ranch has a private road easement through the San Juan National Forest that is perpetual and will convey with the property.

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LOCATION

Silver Creek Ranch has direct access to 1.8 million acres of the San Juan National Forest which offers limitless recreational opportunities. The scenery ranges from high desert mesas and canyons to lush meadows and high mountain peaks. 

Within the small town of Mancos, about 8 miles southwest of the ranch, you will find basic necessities and visitors can enjoy art galleries, gift shops and wholesome eateries in historic buildings. 

The town of Durango is a well-known tourist destination and a prized residential area. The town is filled with excellent art galleries, gift shops, fine restaurants, and the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which offers scenic trips daily through the mountains to the old mining town of Silverton. 

The entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is a short drive away, to the southwest, with hundreds of cliff dwellings, perched high in the mountains where the history is rich and the views are outstanding. These spectacular dwellings were created by the now extinct Anasazi Indians, known as “the ancient ones”. 

ACREAGE

This ranch is heavily treed with Gamble oak, mature Spruce and Ponderosa pine trees, Cottonwoods and stands of Aspen trees which, all combined, create wonderful habitat for wildlife. There are numerous roads and trails that access most parts of the ranch and provide many recreational opportunities.

The Middle Fork of the Mancos River and Silver Creek which flow through the ranch provide excellent water sources for the abundant wildlife. While these are not major fly fishing waters, they could be enhanced to support a larger and broader trout population. In addition, there is a three ponds stocked with Rainbow trout and beaver ponds which can be stocked. 

OPERATIONS

The carrying capacity for the 400 acres is 50-60 cow / calf pair for approximately three months. The carrying capacity, or number of cattle, a certain number of acres will accommodate is based, mainly, on the amount of moisture received. Cattle size can also be a determining factor. The ranch is fenced and cross-fenced.

WILDLIFE

Due to the surrounding National forest a number of wildlife residents call the ranch home, consequently there is exceptional big game viewing and hunting onsite and in proximity to the ranch. This is a rare opportunity for a large, private, ranch inholding, in the San Juan National Forest that is located close to resort amenities. 

Silver Creek Ranch is not a huge hunting property but its appeal is greatly enhanced by the National Forest surrounding the ranch. Elk, deer and bear are abundant on the ranch and the adjoining forest. The seller has  harvested an elk three out of the last four hunting seasons on the ranch. A number of alfalfa food plots have been planted to feed the wildlife. Elevated box blinds have recently been installed. 

Fishing in Silver Creek and the Middle Fork of the Mancos River is presently for the lively and sometimes elusive Brook trout. Fishing could be greatly improved with a stream enhancement plan and the addition of Brown and Rainbow trout. The ponds on the ranch have been stocked with rainbow trout.

IMPROVEMENTS

The primary, 3,864 square foot building, built in 2013, has a 1,077 square foot manager’s apartment on the upper level and a large, 1,269 square foot space on the lower level designated as an entertainment area. The apartment has two bedrooms with two full bathrooms and features granite countertops, hickory cabinetry and large spacious rooms. The entertainment room, with a half-bath, was built with posts and beams encased in 100-year-old barn wood that was salvaged from the ranch. The remainder of the lower level, which is 1,441 square feet is a three-bay garage with oversized doors that will house all of the ranch vehicles, equipment and toys. The setting for this structure was chosen to provide quiet seclusion and magnificent views. Additionally, there are many choice home sites to build one’s desired estate. An outdoor fireplace built with poured concrete and surfaced with local stone provides a quiet place to converse and enjoy nature. 

Since the ranch is off-the-grid, power is provided by an array of 40 solar panels with a 10 kilowatt Generac eco back-up generator. Domestic water is provided by a spring, which feeds into a 1,800 gallon cistern. 

CONSERVATION EASEMENT 

At present there is not a conservation easement on the ranch. Placing an easement on a property can have favorable tax benefits and will protect, in perpetuity, whatever portion of your property you desire. Easements can be placed with organizations such as: The Elk Foundation, Colorado Open Lands, The Nature Conservancy, or others.

PRICING
Full 400+/- acres - $3,595,000