Valley Springs Ranch

Welcome to the Valley Springs Ranch, a compelling sporting retreat along the banks of the Gunnison River. The property offers 254 acres of prime hunting and fishing habitat with 0.9 miles of Gunnison River frontage, approximately 1.5 miles of Tongue Creek frontage, several springs, and water rights.

Conveniently located just northeast of the town of Delta Colorado near the base of the Grand Mesa, the ranch enjoys year-round county-maintained paved access via Highway 65. Towering cottonwoods line the river and stream banks and surround numerous grassy meadows and riparian areas. Views of the West Elk and San Juan mountain ranges can be seen from several locations on the ranch, as well as the Uncompahgre Plateau and the Grand Mesa.

Great mule deer, turkey, quail, grouse, and waterfowl hunting and viewing opportunities abound on the ranch. This stretch of the Gunnison River offers fantastic brown and rainbow trout fishing opportunities, as well as river rafting, right in your own backyard!

There is a charming 3,596 square-foot main home, a 1900 historic 1,352 square-foot guest house, and a 40′ x 72.5′ insulated shop. In addition, there are incredible conservation resources on the ranch, which is why 122 acres are currently conserved by the Colorado West Land Trust. There is a beautiful location in the central portion of the ranch near the river where one could potentially build a new home, cabins, or a lodge.

Whether you are looking for a private sporting retreat, a potential event venue, vacation rental income, or you simply want to build your dream home in a beautiful setting close to town, the Valley Springs Ranch is a very compelling opportunity!

The ranch straddles the main stem of the Gunnison River and sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet. Towering cottonwoods line the river and stream banks and surround numerous grassy meadows and riparian areas that create a gorgeous setting. Views of the West Elk and San Juan mountain ranges can be seen from several locations on the ranch, as well as the Uncompahgre Plateau and the Grand Mesa.

Improvements

There is a charming 3,596 square foot main home, a 1900 historic 1,352 square foot guest house, and a 40′ x 72.5′ insulated shop. There is also a set of working corrals and some vintage outbuildings.

Location

Conveniently located five minutes northeast of the town of Delta, Colorado near the base of the Grand Mesa, the ranch enjoys year-round county-maintained paved access via Highway 65. The city of Delta has a really nice small-town feel with great amenities and health care. The Montrose Regional Airport is approximately 30 minutes away, and the Grand Junction Regional Airport is approximately 45 minutes away. Both airports offer exceptional air service and nonstop flights to several large cities.

Locale

Nestled in the valleys of the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers, Delta County offers majestic mountains, lush forests, impressive canyons, sweeping deserts, pristine lakes, miles of rivers, and bountiful orchards and vineyards in staggeringly diverse landscapes.

There are eight towns scattered throughout the county, each offering its own unique flavor of western hospitality. Museums, art galleries, and antique shops abound here. Beautiful historic tree-lined parks host county fairs, free concerts, and annual festivals where nearby farm stands provide local wine tastings in stunning settings. Craft breweries, wineries, and restaurant patios are plentiful.

Outdoor adventure awaits in every season for hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, hunters, and water lovers. The diverse geology from one end of the valley to the other offers endless recreational activities from stand-up paddleboarding through red rock canyons to hiking in alpine meadows. Fall brings hunters and the much-anticipated color display along the West Elk Scenic Byway, and winter offers plenty of opportunity for snowmobiling, as well as cross country and downhill skiing nearby.

Climate

The area is known for its mild arid climate, plentiful water, and fertile soils that create the perfect ecosystem for agriculture and wildlife. High temperatures in January average approximately 40 degrees and in July average in the low 90s. The average annual precipitation is approximately ten inches with an average of over 300 sunny days per year.

River Rafting & Fishing

Fantastic recreational opportunities abound that include river rafting right in your own backyard! The ranch boasts just under one mile of Gunnison River frontage as well as 1.5 miles of Tongue Creek that meanders through the central portion of the ranch. This stretch of the Gunnison River provides great fishing opportunities with healthy populations of Brown and Rainbow Trout.

Hunting

Great mule deer, turkey, quail, grouse, and waterfowl hunting and viewing opportunities are on the ranch. In fact, the western portion of the ranch was once a private waterfowl hunting club in years past. The ranch is in Game Management Unit 411 which allows for over-the-counter elk tags for archery and second and third rifle hunting seasons. Mule deer hunting tags are available by drawing in this area and the ranch also qualifies for potential mule deer tags through the Landowner Preference Program.

Recreation

The 17,700-acre Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is only a few miles upstream on the Gunnison River and provides exceptional white water rafting and world-class gold medal fishing opportunities. The Grand Mesa, Colorado’s largest flattop mountain, is a short drive north of the ranch and offers over 300 lakes and unlimited recreational opportunities.

World-class skiing is approximately 90 miles away at the Telluride Ski Resort, and great skiing is also available at the Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which is only 40 miles from the ranch.

Ranch Operations

The ranch is currently being utilized for recreation and cattle grazing. Due to the relatively low elevation, plentiful water, and lush grasses, the ranch provides excellent year-round grazing opportunities and cover for spring calving operations. The ranch is currently leased for cattle grazing and 122 acres of the ranch are under conservation easement with the Colorado West Land Trust. There are approximately 2.5 CFS of historic water rights and any mineral rights owned by the seller will be conveyed. Property taxes paid in 2020 were 2,574.00 and one additional water tap will also be conveyed.

Investment Value

The Valley Springs Ranch is quite simply a rare offering with incredible water, conservation, and recreational resources all packaged together in a great location. Whether you are looking for a private sporting retreat, a potential event venue, vacation rental income, or you simply want to build your dream home in a beautiful setting close to town, the Valley Springs Ranch is a very compelling opportunity!