Elkhorn Creek Ranch

Descriptions

Rarely do you find a ranch at this price point that truly does have it all! Here is the unique opportunity to purchase this historic property located just outside Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. This 175-acre property is completely surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of National Forest while still being less than an hour from Fort Collins. Elkhorn Creek meanders through the ranch and provides the perfect habitat for the trout, beavers and moose that call it home. The ranch boasts a 1,393 SqFt home as well as a separate bunkhouse / garage. One would be hard-pressed to find the variety of recreational opportunities this property offers, including fishing, hunting, hiking, jeeping, camping, and horseback riding to name a few. The property encompasses a diverse ecosystem and has a favorable mix of open meadows, aspen groves, dark timber, natural springs, rock outcroppings, and wetlands.

Recreational Opportunities:
With over 1/2 mile of Elkhorn Creek on the property, this is just the beginning of the multitude of fishing opportunities the Jensen Ranch offers. For starters, one could continue up, or down, Elkhorn Creek into the National Forest and spend the day casting dry flies to rarely fished for Brook Trout. Just a few miles away is the town, and public lakes, of Red Feather Lakes. There are six lakes open to public fishing, including Parvin, Dowdy, and Bellaire, each of which offers phenomenal fishing during the summer or winter months. In addition, the nationally designated "Wild and Scenic" Cache La Poudre River is only 7 short miles away and offers some of the best river rafting and fishing in Northern Colorado.
In the Fall, this area fills with Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Ducks, and Geese, making it the perfect home base for the hunting enthusiast. The ranch is located in GMU 8 and is a limited draw unit. That being said, this property does qualify for multiple Big Game Landowner Vouchers and the owners have taken Elk and Deer right on the property. While Moose tags are in limited supply, the moose in this area are not! It's not uncommon to see a big bull Moose chest deep in the beaver ponds or a Cow and Calf bedded down in the shade for the day. In addition, the property is home to Bobcats, Merriam Turkey, Grouse, Ducks, Geese, and the occasional Black Bear.
The vast amount of surrounding National Forest allows one to explore all the way from the Wyoming border in the Laramie Mountains, to the Mummy Range, and even as far south as Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether you choose a mountain bike, ATV, Jeep, horseback, or use your own two legs as your mode of transportation, make sure you pack a lunch because you can just keep going, and going and going...

Improvements:
With the multitude of activities available right out the front door, perhaps the most attractive is sitting on the deck and taking in the peace and quite this ranch provides. Both the home and the bunkhouse overlook the meadow that Elkhorn Creek gently flows through. Rock outcroppings, timbered ridges, and distant snow-capped peaks give this property the "classic" Colorado feel that is so sought-after.
The +/- 1,400 square foot Main home was originally built in 1961, and then remodeled extensively in 1994. It is a one level structure, with one bedroom, recently renovated bath, tiled designer kitchen, and utility room. The home is heated by electrical baseboard and/or the large wood burning stove.
A separate one bed / one-half bath bunkhouse is perfect for guests, or could be used as an office / studio. This fully finished, well-maintained 300 square foot dwelling, is attached to a two-car garage with custom storage cabinetry. There is also a detached storage building on the property.
Both the main home and the bunkhouse are equipped with heavy-duty security shutters to help keep the windows protected from just about anything mother nature can throw at them. Finally, all the furniture and appliances in both buildings are included with the sale of the ranch.

Nearby Amenities:
Just two miles before you reach this ranch, you'll drive past the town of Red Feather Lakes which is the jumping off point to over 600,000 acres of National Forest. In addition, RFL is home to numerous restaurants, shops, rental cabins and guest ranches. Red Feather Lakes is a premier destination for the outdoor enthusiast; hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, hunting and enjoying the beautiful Colorado landscape are all in abundance! Small-town living can be found year-round in Red Feather Lakes, while many visit seasonally to enjoy a summer hike, the fall colors or a snowy holiday. The vibrant city of Fort Collins is a short 45-mile drive and is home to Colorado State University, world-class restaurants, dozens of microbreweries, countless shops, and beautiful open spaces. The Loveland / Fort Collins Regional Airport allows for a wide range of private aircraft to come and go, while Denver International Airport is a mere 2 hours away from the ranch.

Conservation Value
This ranch is permanently protected with a conservation easement held by Colorado Open Lands. The purpose of the easement is to preserve and protect the Colorado wildlife and plant habitat, wetlands, open space, and scenic qualities of the ranch. This easement still allows for hunting, shooting, increasing the size of the improvements, cattle grazing, and timber harvesting.

Summary:
The simplicity and beauty of this ranch speaks for itself. Whether this becomes your year-round home or just a weekend get-a-way, you'll be truly thankful for every moment you get to spend here. Come see for yourself the varied landscape and wide array of Colorado wildlife right out the front door.
Showing by appointment only. Qualified Buyers contact Mike Callan 970-406-8335.