Cerro Colorado - Mexico, Sonora, Cananea

Mouse over thumbnail to view photo above.

For larger photos,
please click here for slideshow.

The land of Cerro Colorado consists of approximately 32,123 contiguous acres (13,000 Hectares). It is entirely deeded, fenced, and all property taxation and water use permits are current. The entire acreage is accessible by internal roadways that are continuously maintained with a neighbor-owned/shared John Deer Bulldozer.

Rugged and pastoral best describe the natural landscape with a variety of trees, bushes, and grasses. Cottonwood, Oak, Sycamore, Pine, Mesquite, and Manzanita are common with a random mixture of understory Brush grass, Samota, Palo Dulce, Pepper Bush, Gamma grass, and various small cactus. Agricultural plants such as alfalfa, wheat grass, oats, and various grain plants can thrive and produce with cultivation and irrigation.

There are (3) main ranch houses with (2) swimming pools, paddle tennis court, regular tennis court and gardens. In total, the main ranch offers (18) bedrooms with accommodations for up to (40) guests. All rooms are beautifully furnished in a rustic and charming style featuring photos, collections, paintings, taxidermy and many beautiful family heirlooms. All interior furnishings, which can be included in the sale of the ranch, have been inventoried, cataloged and appraised. All of the houses have excellent water supply with hot and cold service. Hot water heating and cooking is with propane gas. Main rooms and bedrooms have fireplaces.

As a functional complement to the main houses, there are (2) ranch staff houses complete with garden areas and outbuildings for farm animals. The “tack” room, equipment garage, ranch office, and power generation building are near the main ranch house.

A beautiful private brick chapel occupies a hilltop just a short walk from the main house. Fifteen minutes away by 4WD vehicle, a hidden private campground with a natural spring and large trees unfolds in a meadow with saguaro cactus and a roman colonnade.

The main ranch includes corrals, work chutes, loading ramps, watering, and feeding areas to serve the working cattle operation.

Close to the main ranch, a clear and level area is available for small aircraft landings and takeoffs.

Located at strategic “round-up” and watering locations, there are a total of (5) small ranch and service houses that are currently occupied by caretakers of the cattle and the ranch. Each service ranch has abundant water and is powered by generator.

The ranch is powered by diesel generation with battery storage. Telephone and internet services are available in the main ranch house and satellite service is available.


The ranch is located in the northwestern state of Sonora, Mexico. The land is located at an elevation of between 4,000 and 5,000 feet and is a heavily contoured topography with ridges, “barrancas”, “arroyos”, forested valleys, chisled rock canyons and grassy meadows.

By car, the ranch is 177 miles from Tucson, Az., 125 miles from Nogales, N.M., and 170 miles from Hermosillo, Mexico.


“Cerro Colorado” has been under continuous ownership for more than (62) years by four generations of the Redo Hoeffer family. The family management and guardianship has been lovingly given with the assistance of three generations of full-time on-site staff.

The ranch has been enjoyed by many famous guests including former presidents, world dignitaries, and Hollywood stars who have often returned to be part of the old world rustic charm of a real working ranch.


The ranch enjoys a wonderful semi-arid, sub-tropical, climate with four distinct seasons and moderate temperatures.

Summer lows are in the 60s with highs occasionally exceeding 100. Winter lows are in the 30s with highs reaching the 80s.

Annual rainfall averages 18” and arrives primarily during the “monsoon” months from late June through September. Rainfall for 2009 totaled 36”. In winter, occasional snow falls above the 5000’ elevation, but, rarely accumulates or lingers. The winds are seasonal and occur with frequency and force sufficient to generate wind energy for electricity.