VanNorman Oak Creek Ranch

The ~ 685.7-acre VanNorman Oak Creek Ranch is a beautifully sited conservation property near Florence, Colorado. Located behind the Fremont hogback at the foot of the Rocky Mountain front, the unique combination of sheltered/protected bottom ground, open pastures, Gambel oak cover, forested canyon, adjacency to USFS lands, and distinct water features offers a remarkable diversity of habitat. Managed as a family estate, the ranch is in wonderful working condition and boasts a beautiful natural habitat and a robust wildlife legacy. The ranch is home to numerous elk, mule deer, pronghorn, wild turkeys, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, and other critters. Headquartered by a modern, beautifully appointed 4,000 sq. ft. ranch-style home, equestrian pens, and a 2,500 sq. ft. equipment barn, the ranch is an idyllic western retreat.

Improvements

The beautiful main headquarters home is a handsome Southwest ranch style structure with three bedroom, three bath, two car garage, and contemporary remodeled kitchen. Construction of the home features a unique “trombe structure” consisting of concrete floors and interior and exterior walls that assist with heating the home in winter and cooling it in summer. The owners chose this design with the specific intent of minimizing the property’s commercial energy consumption.

Paired with the off-grid renewable solar, wind, and battery bank power plant the ranch is uniquely situated to run independent of outside third-party utility power supply.

Location

VanNorman Oak Creek Ranch is located in Fremont County, ten minutes’ drive south of the “Antiques” hub of Florence, CO, 15 minutes south of Cañon City, and 35 minutes west of Pueblo, CO. Pikes Peak looms northeast of the ranch.

Locale

Known as the Antiques Capital of Colorado, Florence, CO (Pop. 3,800) is a quaint small town with a vibrant main street including a Post Office, church, a handful of excellent restaurants, and the area high school (Go Huskies!). The broader Arkansas Valley community is generally served by Cañon City, which boasts several great restaurants, grocery stores, big-box retailers, hardware stores, motels, and most other major services, including year-round golf (weather permitting). Pueblo, CO, with its diverse range of services including hospitals, ample big-box retail, and numerous hotels and restaurants, is a short 35-minute drive east from the ranch. Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, offering non-stop service to more than 11 major U.S. cities, is a 60 minute drive from Florence.

Climate

• Rainfall (in.): 14.08
• Snowfall (in): 38.80
• Precipitation Days: 75
• Sunny Days: 310
• Avg July High: 89
• Avg. Jan High: 47

Overview

While the VanNorman Oak Creek ranch has not commercially promoted hunting in recent years, the ranch property could be easily converted into a hunter’s private paradise. The unique combination of sheltered bottom ground, open pastures, Gambel oak cover, robust riparian areas, and distinct water features offers a remarkable diversity of habitats for a property of this size. The ranch is home to numerous elk, mule deer, pronghorn, wild turkeys, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, and a variety of other wildlife species.

Hunting

The ranch is located in Game Management Unit 69 (grouped with GMU 84) and qualifies for 4 Landowner Preference Program tags (2 elk and 2 deer). GMU 69 is generally recognized as a “generous” unit (easy draw) with high population/species counts and relatively low pressure. In recent years the ranch has enjoyed particularly productive and successful hunting for both elk and mule deer in the early archery, muzzleloader, 1st limited-draw, and fourth rifle seasons. The ranch also offers excellent spring turkey hunting.

Recreation

Some of the best mountain biking, hiking, and whitewater rafting in the U.S. are minutes away from the ranch. Pikes Peak and many of Colorado’s famous “Fourteeners” for hiking, 4×4’ing, and mountain biking are within an easy hour’s drive. The Arkansas River offers professionally guided floats of Class 2, 3, 4, and 5, running every day during the summer. More accessible and still adventurous fishing, biking, or 4×4 options are also available from various outfitters in Cañon City. In the winter, Ski Monarch is about 90 minutes away.

Conservation

VanNorman Oak Creek Ranch was an early leader of the conservation legacy in Fremont County, and 525 acres of the ranch are protected by a conservation easement held by Colorado Open Lands. Several other properties in the area, including two adjacent ranches, are also protected by conservation easements. Adjacent to the San Isabel National Forest, the unique location forever assures the wild natural character of the area and the scenic rural heritage of the region.