The Farm on the Colorado

The Farm on the Colorado is a resource-filled, legacy investment opportunity consisting of a 1,123± acre ranch in the bustling Colorado River valley west of Glenwood Springs. The Farm is likely the largest flat, irrigated expanse on a single, private property in the entire I-70 corridor through the rugged Rocky Mountain stretch between Denver and Grand Junction and identified in Garfield County‘s Comprehensive Plan as a prime location for future development. The area is primarily a Ski Country bedroom community, located an hour from the Aspen and Vail areas. While it possesses a Glenwood Springs address, the property is located within the Town of New Castle’s Urban Growth Boundary and adjacent to the town border, so depending on a new owner’s plans it can be ripe for annexation.

This is a large, versatile, farm & ranch in Colorado that is currently in agricultural use, with over 16 CFS of water rights (over 1,000 acre-feet consumptive) that irrigate approximately 300 acres of the valley floor, its boundaries stretching from the Colorado River to the south, all the way to rolling uplands to the north that border BLM lands. Over one mile of I-70 bisects The Farm and an existing interchange is within one mile, so this is a highly visible place. Currently, there is over $100K of rental income from a combination of agricultural, residential, and hunting leases. All utilities are either in place or immediately accessible.

There is definitely a lot happening on this property, but with nearly two miles of frontage on the Colorado River, a 10-acre lake for water-skiing and SUP, quality hunting, and scenic views, this asset is not only investment-grade real estate, but a sporting ranch to be enjoyed while a new owner positions the property to meet one’s investment and development goals.

The Farm on the Colorado sits along the northern bank of the Colorado River in the valley between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction in the western Colorado I-70 corridor. The river is the property’s southern boundary, at approximately 5,500 feet, then the property gently slopes upward to about 6,500 feet at its north end where it connects with BLM land, making the property feel even larger than it is. In between, the lands are either fertile, irrigated fields (300+ acres), or rolling, oak, and sage dotted lands with scenic overlooks of the Colorado River valley.

Improvements

Eight humble, traditional ranch houses exist on-property that are primarily leased short-term by locals, with one rented annually. Corrals, pens, and turnouts serve as facilities for a horse boarding operation that also pays rent to the property owner.

Locale

The bustling New Castle-Glenwood area in eastern Garfield is essentially a Ski Country bedroom community, where residents often quickly pop on to I-70 to commute to jobs upvalley in the real estate construction and/or resort industries in the nearby Roaring Fork Valley that runs from Glenwood to Aspen. The property is located less than a mile from the New Castle I-70 interchange and has frontage on both sides of the interstate between Mile Markers 105-107.

While a McDonald’s, a hotel, an anchor grocery store, a golf course community, and some restaurants are in New Castle, Glenwood Springs is just 10 minutes away and world-renowned for its hot springs and spas, numerous hotels, Adventure Park, restaurants, shops, schools, hospitals, banks, and a smaller plane private jet airport. Glenwood Springs lies just off I-70 at the confluence of the Colorado and the Roaring Fork River, with other character-filled destination mountain towns such as Carbondale, Basalt, and Aspen located upstream on the Roaring Fork on CO Hwy 82. Downstream, in the other direction from The Farm (westbound on I-70), are lower elevation towns like Rifle and Grand Junction, so choices abound at all times of the year for different weather and recreational opportunities, everything from the world-famous downhill skiing to golf (New Castle is home to Lakota Golf Club, a fine, newer layout), fly-fishing, and wineries and orchards.

The Farm is conveniently located between two commercial airports with both the Grand Junction airport to the west and the Eagle County Regional Airport in Eagle to the east (servicing Vail and Beaver Creek) being less than an hour away. Top-notch private jet service is 10 minutes down the road at the Garfield County Airport in Rifle, Colorado, and also one hour away in Aspen and Eagle.

Several world-class ski resorts are within an easy drive. Aspen/Ajax Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass are all located in and around Aspen, one hour away, and Beaver Creek and Vail Resorts are less than ninety minutes away.

Climate

Summertime temperatures are in the 70s and 80s. Fall temps range in the 60s and 70s during the day, with evening temperatures dropping into the 40s and 50s. Wintertime temperatures range from highs in the 30s to 40s during the day and dropping into the teens and 20s at night. Average annual precipitation is approximately 16.5 inches. At 5,500 feet elevation, this part of the Colorado River Valley is much lower elevation than the well-known resort towns in the region, so it is known for its milder, manageable winters.

Hunting

The Farm on the Colorado is located in GMU 42, where over-the-counter hunting tags are generally available for elk, mule deer, and bear. The Farm is currently leased for fall big game hunting by a top local outfitter, as well as for duck hunting in the property’s riparian area by the Colorado.

Recreation

Of course, this area is renowned for downhill skiing, so skiers will appreciate all the options one has within 75 minutes of the ranch at Aspen/Snowmass and Vail. In addition, Glenwood Spring’s Sunlight Ski Area is only 30 minutes away. Snowmobiling and snow-shoeing can be enjoyed on the property, while in the summer other recreation includes hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, white water rafting in nearby Glenwood Canyon, and boating (Ruedi and Rifle Gap Reservoirs are less than 45 minutes away). The Farm is also home to a unique 10-acre, 1,750’ long lake that can be used for water-skiing or SUP or be stocked for fishing.

Fishing

The Farm possesses nearly two miles of frontage on the Colorado River, one of the great fisheries in the state. Large, 20-30 inch trout are not uncommon on the ranch’s stretch. The Colorado here is a big river and typically floated, but much of the year side channels and backwater stretches on the ranch’s portion can be waded. The ranch is also surrounded by other gold medal fishing resources, with the Roaring Fork, just 15 minutes away and the Fryingpan, just 30 minutes away. The large lake on the property can also be stocked for fishing.

Horses

The property is well-suited to be developed for horses, with ample pasture and irrigated fields for growing hay, and nearby dirt roads and jeep trails to serve as terrific riding trails, on-property and off.

Ranch Operations

The Farm on the Colorado has traditionally been operated as a hay-growing and cattle grazing lease operation. The same arrangement may be possible for a new owner who wants to have an experienced hand care for the agricultural elements of the ranch. All the resources one needs are present for whatever sort of property one envisions, a cattle ranch, a recreational getaway for fishing and hunting, or, in particular, a legacy investment to enjoy or develop.

Water Rights

The Farm possesses copious water rights, over 16 CFS, with its diversion consisting of high-quality, “sweet water” coming from the upper, alpine reaches of nearby Canyon Creek that irrigates approximately 300 acres. All of these water rights are adjudicated/decreed and senior. The property is also home to sizeable water storage (the waterskiing lake). Contact agent for more details.

Mineral Rights

The seller/owner’s understanding is that they likely own all the mineral rights on this property, although a buyer needs to do their own due diligence where these rights are concerned. The Seller will convey all the rights they own on The Farm.

Investment & Development Potential

The Farm is located well within the Town of New Castle’s Urban Growth Boundary and even adjacent to the town’s boundary in spots, so per the Garfield County Comprehensive Plan 2030, it is well-positioned for annexation and future development if a new buyer should choose to go that route. The Farm’s natural infrastructure also lends itself to such a scenario, as it possesses over 1,000 acre-feet of consumptive water supply, a flat to rolling landscape, proximity to the interstate, and the recreational amenities that residents desire these days. Utilities are either present or nearby. Please contact Garfield County to research this development potential.