Orchard Mesa Reserve - Colorado, Mesa County, Palisade

Orchard Mesa Reserve comprises 150 acres of magnificent orchard, vineyard, and river bluff land on East Orchard Mesa. The property is considered one of the finest and largest orchard and vineyard tracts in Colorado, and is of such high quality that a conservation easement has been placed on the property to ensure that it will remain in agricultural production for years to come. The plan developed will preserve 100% of the irrigated agricultural lands and will create a unique residential and agricultural community. Although a number of the sites have been sold, there are three remaining larger irrigated tracts remaining including two on the bluff above the Colorado River and the third within the pastoral setting of the existing orchard. Fifty acres in the middle of the Reserve, including productive peach orchards, premium vineyards and historic buildings, will be operated by a fourth generation local family and will be accessible to all parcel owners.

The growing conditions at OMR are ideal for fruit and wine. The early-morning winds funnel through the area and significantly reduce frost conditions and provide a temperate climate. Over millions of years, the Colorado River has continually changed its course through the Palisade area, leaving rich sediments behind. The property is comprised of “Prime Unique Soils” as designated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. An extensive system of irrigation canals provides the final touch for ideal growing conditions.

• Cold winters, which gives the peach trees sufficient cold dormancy and allows the rejuvenation needed to develop healthy flower and leaf buds for the following year.
  
• A long frost-free growing season (with high elevation intense sunlight), which creates fruit sugars during the hot summer days.
  
• Cool mountain breezes moving down the Colorado River at night and dropping the temperature, which slows the ripening and intensifies the crisp fruit acids. In the end, this results in a better balanced flavor profile.
  
• Rich, fertile volcanic based soils with complex clay and loam components, again adding to the flavor profile.
  
• Cool, clean mountain water (snowfall runoff) from the Colorado River provides irrigation. (The river also helps to moderate the temperature extremes in the valley).
  

For every acre of irrigable land, owners will receive one share of water from the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District. The Orchard Mesa Irrigation District (OMID) was organized in 1904, and became part of the Federal Grand Valley Project in 1922. Approximately 9,800 landowners and approximately 4,300 acres are served by the district. OMID's water is diverted from the Colorado River at the Cameo Diversion Dam in DeBeque Canyon. Water rights are owned by the OMID and are allocated to the land. Water rights cannot be sold separately. When land ownership changes, the water stays with the land. Records showing the amount of water allocated to each parcel of land can be viewed at the Mesa County Assessor's Office and the OMID. Domestic water is provided by underground city utilities and not wells.


The property is considered one of the finest large orchard and vineyard tracts in Colorado and has been designated by the Mesa Land Trust as one of its highest conservation priorities. The current owners, who have extensive experience in private land conservation, acquired the property with the land trust’s encouragement. Since acquisition, the owners have developed a strategy and obtained approvals for a plan to conserve the extraordinary landscape while providing for a small-scale compatible development and agricultural enterprise. A copy of the conservation easement will be provided to qualified individuals.


All of the irrigated acreage is capable of producing the strong cash flows to make this the most valuable agricultural land in the Rocky Mountain West. Orchard Mesa Reserve owners may choose to mange their own agricultural land or have it managed by Talbott Farms at attractive terms. Orchard Seven is an existing and fully operating peach orchard with flood irrigation. Orchards One and Two can be planted with whatever the owner desires. Drip irrigation systems utilizing the existing valuable water resources can be implemented.