Ranches

At the foothills of the West Spanish Peak lies the incredible Echo Canyon Ranch. This picturesque ranch begins just south of La Veta, CO on the Scenic Highway of Legends and continues up the Huestes canyon through Devil's Stairstep Wall and ending up above the scenic Echo Creek waterfall. From there, you can walk right into the San Isabel Nat'l. Forest and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. I am extremely pleased to be the Exclusive Agent of Bachman & Assoc. for this fabulous 878 acre Guest Ranch.

View the Echo Canyon video on YouTube.

This Premier Property Ranch is situated within the Spanish Peaks region that has been designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a "Registered Natural Landmark" area. In recent years it has been operated as a very successful Guest Ranch hosting guests from around the world. It would also be an ideal corporate retreat, summer camp, or family ranch as well. Trophy fishing and deer, elk, bear and turkey hunting are a big plus too. Listing includes the excellent water rights, equipment, fire supression system and many trade furnishings, furniture and fixtures for an ideal setup that just can't be beat. Contact me for more details.

Location: Just south of La Veta, Colorado in the beautiful Cuchara Valley of the Spanish Peaks. Ranch is accessible from Highway 12 at the lower end and borders San Isabel National Forest at the upper end. Strategically located approximately 150 miles south of Denver and the same distance, north of Santa Fe. Just about a 2-hour drive from either Colorado Springs or Taos, NM.

Locale: La Veta is a charming small community of year-round residents and Cuchara is a more seasonal community 12 miles farther up in the mountains. There are local galleries, shops and restaurants in both areas. The Weiskopf-Morrish designed Grandote Peaks Golf Club is just minutes down the road from the ranch.

Ranch Setting: This alpine ranch has massive rock outcroppings, creeks, fishing ponds, meadows and abundant wildlife. The prominent Devil's Stairstep Dike Wall runs along the westerly side of the property. Approximately 80% of the ranch is timber covered with an assorted mix of conifers including pinion pine and gambel oak at the lower end, changing to giant Ponderosa Pine, beautiful Engleman Spruce and Aspen stands at the upper end where the ranch joins Nat'l. Forest and access to the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. Elevations range from 7,600 ft. up to 8,700 ft. at the Echo Creek waterfall. There is a balanced and varied population of wildlife for viewing or big game hunting. In past years the ranch has provided Licensed Outfitter activities for big-game hunting. Species include trophy elk, mule deer, black bear and even an occasional bobcat or mountain lion. Merriam turkey, grouse, fox and other small game also abound.

Impovements: Six beautiful log-sided buildings are found in the headquarters area. These range from small 3 bedroom cabins situated off in the woods, to the Main Lodge with over 10,000 sq.ft. of dining area, lounges, offices, gamerooms and 8 private guest rooms. Other additions include the Conference Center and Echo Creek cabin, which offers private Owners quarters plus 6 private guest rooms as well. In all, the property would sleep over 40 people. All lodging areas are nicely appointed with furniture, furnishings, fixtures, linens and cookware included. Two open pavilions are located near the beautiful fishing ponds. Barns, corrals, equipment shop and sawmill provide extra room for equestrian activities and ranch operations.

Water: Echo Creek and Little Echo run through the middle of the ranch providing excellent trout habitat to the fishing ponds. The ranch also owns significant water rights and wells to supply all needs and to provide for the fire-suppression system at the headquarters. Water rights include pond storage rights, Atkinson Spring (15 gal/min), Calf Pasture Ditch rights and two permitted wells combining for over 50 gal.min.

Minerals: Seller owns most of the oil/gas minerals on the ranch and no active Leases are in place. Will also convey all mineral rights owned, upon Sale.

Preservation Easements: The northwest portion of the ranch has been designated as worthy of conservation by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, to maintain native habitat, wildlife and scenic values. This limits development and break-up of smaller parcels within that section but does not limit hunting, fishing or agriculture uses. This conservation area is not in the immediate vicinity of the current ranch improvements.

Guest Operations: For the past 15 years the property has been operated as an exclusive Guest Ranch and has enjoyed repeat guests from around the world.

Dr. Pat Allen, a California-based family therapist and author, has taken groups out to the ranch for mind, body and spirit seminars over the years, claiming its beauty and serenity as a true gem. And TripAdvisor.com gives Echo Canyon high marks for an overall vacation experience. The ranch makes an ideal property for corporate retreats, seminars, church camp, youth camps and even for short term rentals or overnight lodging. An owner could also use the ranch for private family and guest stays, as did previous owner, country singer Randy Travis.