Spring Creek Ranch

Conveniently located approximately 30 miles south of Laramie, Wyoming and 75 miles from Fort Collins, Colorado, the Spring Creek Ranch is situated on the Laramie Plains in south central Wyoming. Comprised of 3,030 deeded acres and 160 acres of BLM, the ranch controls 3,190+/- acres of productive Wyoming prairie. Water is abundant on the ranch with potential to irrigate approximately 500 acres, and the numerous springs, creeks and reservoirs provide a year round water source for livestock and Wyoming wildlife. Numerous Wyoming game species frequent the ranch including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and waterfowl.

Fishermen will also appreciate the stocked 47+/- acre reservoir and the large trout in the 1.3 miles of Spring Creek, which headwaters emerge from a natural spring in the ground beside the ranch home. With the elevation ranging from 7,300’ – 7,516’ above sea level, the Wyoming terrain primarily consists of rolling prairie and open irrigated meadows and pastures. The ranch is well improved with a comfortable home currently used for a ranch manager’s home, a western style horse barn, loafing shed, corrals and several storage/equipment sheds.

Land Overview

The property consists of approximately 3,030 deeded acres and 160 acres of BLM land in south central Wyoming. Situated at the base of Medicine Bow Mountain Range in the Laramie Plains, the Wyoming terrain primarily consists of rolling prairie and open irrigated meadows and pastures. In all, the ranch controls approximately 3,190 acres and includes 500+/- irrigated acres, end-of-the-road privacy, and sweeping views of the Medicine Bow Mountains. Elevations on the ranch range from approximately 7,300’ – 7,516’ above sea level.

Locale

The ranch is conveniently located between to economic/cultural hubs – Laramie, Wyoming and Fort Collins, Colorado. The historic downtown area of Laramie, Wyoming remains much as it was in the late 1800s, however the University of Wyoming brings with it a lively atmosphere including upscale shopping, dining and entertainment giving it a modern advantage. Nestled in a valley between the Laramie Range and the Snowy Range, this area of Wyoming is a popular destination for a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts. The surrounding Medicine Bow and Roosevelt National Forests offer four seasons of outdoor activities, and the granite formations at Wyoming’s Vedauwoo State Park are celebrated by rock climbers around the world. Fly fishermen and rafters are also attracted to the area because of the Laramie River which is known as an excellent brown trout fishery. The Laramie River runs through the town toward its confluence with the North Platte River east of the Laramie Range. Laramie, Wyoming is the County seat for Albany County, and offers all services including grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, regional airport, banks, hospital, veterinary services, farm equipment dealers and feed stores.

Much like Laramie, Wyoming, Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University which has one of the most highly reputed agriculture programs in the county. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins offers exciting recreational opportunities, unique cultural offerings, and is a regional center for employment and shopping. Throughout the year, live music and entertainment, as well as great local dining, can be found throughout the historic downtown area. Fort Collins, Colorado offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a larger city.

Improvements

This Wyoming ranch is well improved with a comfortable home currently used as a ranch manager’s home, western style horse barn, loafing shed, corrals and several storage/equipment sheds. Electricity, phone service, wells and septic systems are already in place on the ranch. All improvements including fencing have been well kept, and are in good working order.

Location

From Denver, Colorado,  take Interstate 25 to Highway 14 through Fort Collins then merge on to US 287 North towards Laramie, Wyoming. Follow US 287 approximately 40 miles to Sportsman’s Lake Rd just north of Tie Siding, Wyoming. The ranch is approximately 30 miles to the southwest. From Laramie, take Route 230 for 12 miles to Brubaker Lane and the ranch is 12 miles to the south. The ranch is located approximately 30 minutes south of Laramie, 3 hours from Denver, and 2 hours from Fort Collins.

History

The area surrounding Spring Creek Ranch is rich in pioneer history, and the Wyoming landscape is still mostly comprised of large cattle ranches as it was over a century ago. Laramie, Wyoming was founded in the mid-1860s on the Overland Stage Line route and the Union Pacific portion of the first transcontinental railroad. The city takes its name from Jacques LaRamie, a French or French-Canadian trapper who disappeared in the Laramie Mountains in the late 1810s and was never heard from again.

Climate

Average annual precipitation: 10 inches
Average January temperature: High: 32, Low: 10
Average July temperature: High: 80, Low 42
Days of Sunshine per year: 300+

Hunting

• The ranch provides extremely valuable and pristine Wyoming habitat for many game species, with elk, mule deer, antelope and waterfowl prevalent on the ranch.
• The ranch is located in Hunt Area 8 for elk, Hunt Area 77 (Region D) for deer, and Hunt Area 44 for antelope.

Recreation

• The ranch and surrounding area is rich with scenic Wyoming beauty and endless recreational opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted to the area in and around Laramie due to the abundance of nearby public land.
• The Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming and the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado offers tens of thousands of acres to hike, ride, fish, hunt, cross-country ski or enjoy however you please.
• In the summer, there is excellent white water rafting on both the Laramie and North Platte Rivers in Wyoming and on the Cache la Poudre River in Colorado.
• In the winter, the Snowy Range Ski Area is about 30 miles west of Laramie, Wyoming and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding on 27 trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert.

Fishing

• On the ranch, fly fishermen will appreciate the large trout in the 1.3 miles of Spring Creek which emerges from a natural spring in the ground beside the ranch home.
• Also on the ranch is the 47 +/- acre Rice Reservoir which has been stocked with rainbow and brown trout.
• Nearby, the Laramie River, which flows north into Wyoming from Colorado, is well known as an excellent brown trout fishery with numerous public access points. There are also great opportunities with public access in both the Laramie and Snowy Mountain Ranges.
• Just south of the ranch in Colorado, the headwaters of the Cache La Poudre River descends eastward in the mountains through both the Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest before it emerges from the foothills just north of the city of Fort Collins. The Poudre River is known as an excellent brown trout fishery, but it is also home to healthy populations of rainbows, cutbows and cutthroats. There are numerous public access points both in the national park and the surrounding national forest.

Ranch Operations

In the past, the ranch has been a cow/calf operation and many of the surrounding Wyoming properties are large historic ranches that are still active as cattle and sheep ranching operations. Historic water rights come with the ranch providing valuable water to irrigate approximately 500 acres. The ranch includes large stretches of rolling Wyoming grasslands providing excellent feed and additional water resources for livestock and wildlife. It is highly suitable for horse and cattle grazing, availing the property with an ideal combination of prime recreational and hunting land, and also a traditional operating horse or cattle ranch.

Aesthetic Value

The Wyoming natural beauty of this property is evident in the pictures with the scenic views, private river corridors, irrigated meadows, rock outcroppings and rolling grasslands. The ranch provides all that buyers are looking for: live water, good access, premier fishing and hunting and adjacency to public lands. This is a ranch that can be enjoyed year-round. This Wyoming ranch would make an excellent candidate for a conservation easement.