Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch

With year-round access just 15 minutes from Evergreen and under an hour from Denver, Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch lies in one of the most sought-after corridors of Colorado’s Front Range. Spanning 844 acres, the property has been held by descendants of Governor John Evans since 1924 and is now available for the first time in generations. This pristine mountain landscape features lush hay meadows along Vance Creek, which winds through the heart of the ranch before giving way to rising timbered slopes, rocky draws, grassy benches, and dramatic cliff faces above. Elevations range from 7,600 to 9,000 feet, offering diverse terrain and expansive viewsheds within the ranch boundaries. Flanked by the exclusive Evans Ranch to the west, Hicks Mountain Open Space to the north, and a mosaic of large or conserved holdings on all sides, the property is exceptionally well-blocked and protected. A conservation easement preserves the land’s integrity while allowing for three residential sites and offering flexibility for thoughtful subdivision or shared ownership. Undeveloped and unspoiled, Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch represents a rare legacy opportunity in a region increasingly shaped by conservation values and long-term stewardship.

Overview

The Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch offers a diverse mountain topography, ranging from the lush, sub-irrigated creek bottom to the jagged rock outcroppings on the north end of the property. With a total elevation gain of 1600 feet, the ranch provides varied and scenic landscapes along The three open building envelopes on the ranch property offer a secluded setting with great views from the timbered hillside and easy access from the county road.

Improvements

The property is currently vacant, but with three designated building envelopes and a ranch headquarters, it presents an excellent opportunity for careful development while preserving the ranch’s multi-generational conservation legacy.

Location

Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch is located just 20 minutes west of Evergreen, Colorado, with year-round access via Upper Bear Creek Road, a county-maintained route. Properties of this scale and quality are increasingly rare in such proximity to the Denver Metro Area. Many owners in this corridor either commute to the city or rely on the area as a mountain retreat, making the ranch’s location, just an hour from downtown Denver, a true standout.

Locale

Only a short drive from the ranch, Evergreen is a classic Colorado foothills town offering many shops, restaurants, and recreation. While the property is easily accessible from modern amenities, the area provides outstanding access to outdoor recreation while maintaining a secluded setting in a rugged, mountainous location. Denver International Airport is about 90 minutes from the ranch, allowing easy air travel.

History

The Evans family initially purchased the property from the Hicks family, and in 1924 was transferred to Margaret Evans Davis, the granddaughter of Colorado’s second territorial Governor John Evans. Since then, the property has been utilized for hay production, fishing, grazing steers, hunting, and a sawmill, which closed in 1999. Four generations of the Margaret and Roblin Davis family have enjoyed the property, spending summers at the ranch riding, hiking, and exploring what Margaret called “God’s country.” One could not have been more fortunate than to spend memorable and joyful summers on this lovely property.

Climate

The ranch’s location provides a mild summer climate, with average highs in the 70s, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat in Denver. Fall in the area is spectacular, with warm days in the 60s and cool nights as the aspens light up the property with their yellow and orange hues. The area typically receives between 80 and 100 inches of snow in winter, with temperatures consistently in the 30s. Despite the high elevation, winters bring cold temperatures and ample snowfall, yet you can expect around 300 days of sunshine annually.

Overview

Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch is a blank canvas for endless outdoor adventures. As the ranch gains elevation to the north towards Hicks Mountain, an existing two-track road allows for exploration of the upper portion property by horseback, four-wheel-drive vehicle, or hiking.

Hunting

The ranch is located in GMU 39, a unit that is mostly private land with limited public pressure due to its steep and challenging terrain. Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch offers excellent elk and mule deer habitat, featuring a mix of open creek bottoms and timbered hillsides. Elk tags are available through the draw, and the property qualifies for the landowner preference program through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch is an optimal hunting property with a large number of resident elk and mule deer.

Fishing

Vance Creek that runs through the property does provide habitat to trout and could be a great candidate for stream enhancement, opening up the thick willows for casting lanes and developing deeper holes for fish to hold in. Just below the ranch boundary, Vance Creek becomes Upper Bear Creek, which offers ample public access to a classic small Colorado mountain stream only minutes away. For the adventurous angler, the headwaters of Bear Creek and numerous small alpine streams and ponds in the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness offer remote fly fishing for brook trout in a stunning high-country setting. Additionally, several of Colorado’s premier fisheries are within an hour’s drive, including the South Platte River near Deckers and Cheesman Canyon—renowned for its technical, year-round tailwater fly fishing.

Recreation

The ranch offers outstanding on-property recreation, including hiking, hunting, and fishing in Vance Creek. Just 20 minutes away, the town of Evergreen adds to the appeal with a wide range of year-round activities. Evergreen Lake Park features an extensive trail network for hiking and biking, plus fishing and public ice skating in winter. Hicks Mountain Park adjoins the ranch directly to the north and includes a scenic hiking trail with sweeping views over the property. Other nearby trail systems—such as Three Sisters Park, Lair O’ the Bear, and Elk Meadow Park—offer excellent mountain biking and hiking opportunities for all skill levels. Evergreen also boasts a municipal golf course set in a unique mountain setting. For winter sports enthusiasts, Loveland Ski Area is less than an hour away, with Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain all easily accessible via I-70 in just over an hour.

Horses

While no equestrian improvements are currently in place, the conservation easement allows for the development of a ranch headquarters and barn on the property. The ranch and the surrounding area offer numerous horse trails.

Water Rights

The Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch enjoys historic water rights dating back to 1883. Approximately 16 acres are irrigated by 1.3 cfs via the Hicks Ditch. Additional acreage is hayable within the sub-irrigated meadow surrounding Vance Creek. For further details on the water rights, please contact the listing broker.

Mineral Rights

All mineral rights owned by the Seller will be conveyed to the Buyer upon sale.

Leases

Historically, the irrigated acreage along Vance Creek has been leased for hay.  A tenant is in place for the 2024 hay season and could continue with a new owner.

Taxes

Annual property taxes are $551 on this unimproved property, and it is zoned for agriculture.

Conservation Value

A Conservation Easement held by Mountain Area Land Trust preserves the incredible open space, wildlife habitat, and agricultural values of the property, while providing a framework for the responsible development and use of the ranch within the three building envelopes. In addition to the three building envelopes, the conservation easement allows for a shared ranch headquarters where a barn and ranch manager’s residence can be constructed.  The property can be subdivided into four separate parcels if an owner so desires, presumably one parcel for each building envelope and a common fourth parcel for the ranch headquarters. Please contact the listing broker for more information and a copy of the Conservation Easement.

Investment Value

Undeveloped land holdings of this size rarely come available on the Front Range, presenting a unique opportunity for a legacy investment in a historic property.