Near the southern base of the Spanish Peaks and close to the headwaters of the Apishapa River, this ranch offers a rare combination of well maintained irrigated lands serviced by historic water rights, and hillsides and canyons that are predominantly covered with a mix of spruce, pine, fir, and Gambel’s Oak. These mountainous areas are easily accessible by a good network of roads and trails.
Improvements
This Brunelli Ranch is a very functional property with modest but well maintained improvements that include two homes, barn, equipment shed / workshop, equipment, and a significant watering system that provides a reliable water source for both livestock and wildlife.
History
This region of Colorado has a very rich and colorful past. The Apishipa River, which flows through the Brunelli Ranch, is a tributary to the Arkansas River, and the area was inhabited by early Native Americans. It’s not known for sure, but archeologists believe these “Apishipa Phase” people inhabited this region between 1050 and 1450 AD and are ancestors to the modern day Pawnee Tribe. The mid-1800s brought the railroad and coal mining along with significant growth to the area.
In more recent times, the Brunelli Ranch has been family owned and operated as a working ranch for the past several decades.
Location
The ranch is less than 15 minutes west of I-25 via County Road 46. C.R. 46 is paved to within a mile of the ranch. Trinidad, Colorado, with a hospital, restaurants and stores, is less than an hour to the south. While to the north, Denver International Airport is slightly more than 3 hours away, Colorado Springs is 2 hours away, and Pueblo is approximately an hour away.
Climate
This area of southern Colorado enjoys a relatively mild climate in both summer and winter months.
- Average rainfall – 20″
- Average snowfall – 95″
- Average January low temperature is 18° Fahrenheit
- Average July high temperature is 84° Fahrenheit