The Property

The Dawson Creek Ranch, comprised of approximately 3,732 acres of deeded land and a 25,000 ac. (m/l) Bureau of Land Management winter grazing lease has been an integral part of the Hughes family holdings for many years. It is now available due to the death of the late Charles P. Hughes. It has historically been used in conjunction with the Hughes North Mountain Ranch, which provides summer grazing for the livestock that are wintered at Dawson Creek.

 The deeded land is predominately dry land grazing, however, as much as 300 acres may have been historically irrigated utilizing the adjudicated irrigation water rights appurtenant to the property.  Approximately 50 acres is currently used as an irrigated hay meadow consisting of a grass / alfalfa mixture. The balance of the irrigated acreage has not been properly irrigated for several years but historic records indicate that it was so used. The irrigation system had suffered from disrepair but much work has and is currently being done to put this land back into production.

Location/Access

                Dawson Creek Ranch is located in southwest Colorado. It offers the combination of a quiet getaway in a very sparsely populated area, yet, the accessibility to almost all the outdoor recreational opportunities the Colorado Rocky Mountains have to offer. The ranch is approximately 30 miles southeast of the town of Naturita, Colorado via Colorado highway 145 and County road 19Q. Commercial air service is available at the Telluride Ski area, less than a one and a half hour drive from the ranch. A municipal airport is within 45 miles.

Improvements

The improvements are modest. An historic two-story log home was renovated very recently and is currently used as a home for the ranch foreman. It is served by public electrical power and the current water system is a cistern with water being hauled for about 15 miles. A well could potentially be drilled as a water source.  A modern metal shop and modest older log sheds, located at the home site complete the ranch headquarters, which are located adjacent to the well-maintained county road. Modest cattle working facilities are located at various areas on the ranch. Existing boundary and cross fences range from good to excellent. Some areas of the boundary are fenced, others are not. 

 Utility Services

                Single-phase electrical power serves the ranch headquarters. The power line crosses the ranch for several miles so other potential use sites for the power exist. Domestic water source would be by drilled well or cistern. Waste disposal would be by individual disposal system. Hard wire phone service is currently not available to the ranch. Cell service may be available from some carriers but this has not been confirmed.

 Zoning/Use/Taxation

The ranch is currently zoned Agricultural under the San Miguel County Colorado land use code. Such zoning allows the current uses of livestock grazing and hunting as uses by right. Any potential buyer should contact the San Miguel County land use department to confirm any other potential used of the property.  Property tax for the year 2009, paid in 2010, was $ 890.66.

 Water and Water Rights

Disappointment Creek crosses the ranch for approximately 6-7 miles. Dawson Creek enters the ranch from the south and flows past the ranch headquarters to join Disappointment Creek.  Water flows vary by season of the year with the peak flows occurring during the spring and early summer depending on snow melt from the upper drainage area. Neither of the creeks would be considered fishing waters. Both of these creeks serve as sources of irrigation water for the ranch. Irrigation water rights adjudication records reflect the following decrees for the Disappointment Ranch: Dawson – Hammond Ditch; three absolute decrees totaling 5.47 cubic feet per second (cfs), Disappointment Ditch; three absolute decrees totaling 19.94 cubic feet per second; and, Northside Ditch; one absolute decree for 0.20 cfs. 

 Vegetation/Terrain

This ranch would be considered a high desert ranch providing ideal fall, winter and early spring habitat for livestock and wildlife. The terrain varies from the level to gently rolling irrigated areas to steep rocky ridges and breaks. Elevation varies from 5,800 ft to 6,200 feet. Vegetation on the non-irrigated areas is predominately sage with a mixture of other low water use plants and grasses, with scattered Pinion Pine trees. The creek bottoms have a lush mixture of willows, tall grasses, and other water dependent plants. Cottonwood trees are scattered along the creek banks with many large beautiful Cottonwoods growing around the headquarters buildings.

 Wildlife

The ranch provides ideal habitat for many species of wildlife. Many large Mule Deer trophies have been harvested on and around the ranch.  Some elk use the ranch and can provide hunting during the late fall / early winter seasons. Big game hunting could provide sizable income for the property.

 BLM Grazing Permit

Adjacent to the ranch is a U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing permit historically has been used for winter grazing in conjunction with the privately owned land. It is currently permitted for the grazing of 150 cows during the period from December 11 until February 28. Prior to and after this period, the cattle would be grazed and cared for on the private land. The ranch is offered for sale either with or without the grazing permit. Any potential purchaser must qualify as a recipient of such a permit.

 Dry Creek Basin Wild Horse Herd

One of the few wild and free roaming horse herds left in the West, the Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area, shares the use of the BLM permit area.  The horses are also featured by director James Kleinert in his feature-length documentary film, Disappointment Valley. . . A Modern Day Western, which portrays the plight of the wild horse’s currently happening in our nation. 

Disclaimer: All information provided herein was acquired from sources deemed reliable and is believed to be accurate. However, we do not warrant its accuracy or completeness and recommend that every item of interest be independently verified by Purchaser.