North Fork River Ranch is located in Colorado’s North Park area and is best known for its quiet ranching community with excellent recreational qualities. Only 11 miles from the town of Walden, North Fork River Ranch consists of 1,727± deeded acres, 2,236± Bureau of Land Management (BLM) leased acres, and over three miles of the North Fork of the North Platte River. This heavily watered ranch has a significant portfolio of water rights, hay production, and exceptional fishing attributes for brown and rainbow trout with 3.1± miles of deep pockets, slow-moving beats and willow-laden aquatic habitat.

A Colorado-designated Centennial Ranch, this historic hay and cattle ranch has never before been offered for sale as it has been in the same family for over 100 years. A diverse ranch offers multiple residences, remodeled historic cabin, a heated shop, full indoor and outdoor cattle facilities, historic barns, and outbuildings. Additionally, a 34-space operating RV campground sits on over 8± acres of the upper ranch adjacent to the Lake John recreational area.

The ranch includes multiple domestic wells and 104 cubic feet per second (CFS) of senior deeded water rights, with the majority appropriated in 1888. The ranch is fenced and cross-fenced for hay production and cattle grazing. Due to the cross-fencing and spacing of the five irrigation ditches across the acreage, the ranch presents simplified irrigation operations and cattle grazing management.

At an elevation of 8,100 feet, the agriculture acreage breakdown consists of 560± acres of upland grass and sagebrush, 480± acres of irrigated hay meadows, 305± acres of irrigated pasture meadow, 250± acres of river bottom including 37± acres of lakes and ponds. The largest lake on the property is over 25± acres. In 2022, the ranch produced 1,250± tons of high-protein hay and retained a carrying capacity of 250 cow/calf pairs.

Since 2013 the ranch has been partnered with the Colorado Cattleman’s Land Trust, as most of the ranch, including water rights, are held in perpetuity through a conservation easement. The next owner still has the opportunity to build their dream homes as the ranch retains meaningful building rights through building envelopes within the easement, an unencumbered .60± acre “inholding” residence included in the offering, and the unencumbered 8± acre current RV campground. The seller’s minerals are intact and offered in the sale.

Seller will entertain Seller Financing with mutually acceptable terms.

PROPERTY FACTS:

  • 1,727± deeded acres
  • First time offering of a Colorado Centennial Ranch
  • Over 3 miles of North Fork of the North Platte River
  • Three residences on the ranch
  • 8± acre RV campground with 34 RV spaces
  • 2,236± BLM leased acres
  • Over 100 CFS of senior water rights
  • 1,250 tons of hay production in 2022
  • Located in Colorado’s North Park
  • Indoor and outdoor cattle facilities
  • Located 11 miles west of Walden

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Special properties deserve an exceptional land brokerage company like Fay Ranches. Our team has the knowledge, proven record of success, and a deep appreciation for the land and its traditions. We know how to market your unique property to the right audience. We invite you to learn more about our approach. Please call us at 800-238-8616 or click on the link below for more information.

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