Animas Meanders Ranch

RIVER FRONT ESTATE LOTS FOR SALE

Animas Meanders Reserve (AMR) is the most unique residential riverfront project in all of Colorado.

The project was carefully designed over several years to offer homeowners a Rocky Mountain rural paradise with an urban address. AMR home owners will enjoy their river front lot and will also share a ~100 acre recreational/agricultural area along a private 3/4 mile stretch of the pristine Animas River within walking distance to the historic city of Durango. The project consists of 4 Estate Animas Valley lots (15 to 36 acres) with beautiful building envelopes spaced at intervals to ensure complete privacy. Each home site enjoys spectacular views.

Lots extend to the centerline of the Animas River.

Your home will be in a private estate setting but within walking distance of Durango’s elementary, middle and high schools, Durango recreational center and library, and all the rest that historic Durango has to offer.

AMR has a special sense of place rarely found abutting a city. Little has changed at the site since the original dairy farm was established in the 1870’s. The Animas River winds along the northern border of the property and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge train can be viewed across the river as it carries tourists up the valley into the gorgeous San Juan Mountains. On a typical day you can choose to take a walk or go on horseback along the Animas River, catch a trout for breakfast, check out the nesting birds and elk herd, or head for a short drive up-valley to Dalton Ranch Country Club or a little farther to Durango Mountain Resort during ski season. You may also choose from the abundant activities the city of Durango offers. Many are walking distance from the reserve - or a short bike ride along the Durango River Trail.

Lot 1 is currently offered for sale. A home site plan and building envelope design is contained in this presentation along with overall master plan for the project. Purchase of Lot 1 includes Building Envelope Grading Plan, and the entire Animas Valley Farms (AVF) USDA Certified Organic operation, that can easily be converted to an equestrian facility if desired. An excellent domestic well is in place on Lot 1, La Plata Electric service is operational, and Durango City Water and Sewer connections are installed to the property boundary. Please contact Katie Sturm at Katie@lpwsir.com for sales information. Lot 1 and 2 are offered for sale, Lot 3 and 4 are sold.

Yours truly, The Animas Meanders Reserve Development Group

Access is by Private Drive from 32nd Street at Durango City Limit.

ESTATE LOTS (15-36 ac.) WITH CITY OF DURANGO ADDRESSES Private Estate Lots with Animas River frontage and spectacular views.

Reciprocal Easement Agreement has created almost 100 acres of shared recreation/ agricultural area for the four owners. (Lots extend to centerline of river).

Large building envelopes are located on the ridge with spectacular views of the Animas Valley. A terraced area below each building envelope is large enough to accommodate equestrian facilities or an organic garden. Each home site is very private with substantial distance between wooded building sites. Two private drives from 32nd St. in Durango provide excellent access.

ANIMAS VALLEY FARMS (www.animasvalleyfarms.com) Lot 1 sale includes the former Animas Valley Farms (AVF) USDA Certified Organic operation. If leased that can generate about 10k annually and can be continued or an easy conversion to equestrian or other use can be made.

ANIMAS RIVER FRONTAGE 3/4 mile of Animas River Frontage (property lines extend to centerline of river.) Beaches allow easy access to trout fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding.

SHARED RECREATION/AGRICULTURAL AREA The master plan includes almost 100 acres of recreation/agricultural area that is shared by the 4 home owners through a reciprocal easement agreement that has been recorded.

• Trail system for equestrianism,hiking and biking.

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Bottom land pasture suited to crops, livestock grazing, equestrian activities, bird watching, hiking, etc.

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Extensive complex of restored wetland habitat and ponds.

WATER RIGHTS AMR is the last user on the Reid Ditch. A head gate diverts extensive adjudi-cated water (2 CFS Absolute/1.5 CFS Conditional) to connect ponds and wet-lands along a one mile - long irrigation system built by Sugnet Family Ranch with twin 18” pipe and gates to wetlands to distribute water from the Reid Ditch to pasture area and organic farms.

The system was designed to move water efficiently. Excellent domestic wells are located on Lots 1 and 2.

CITY OF DURANGO SERVICES Durango city services are available for all lots. Water main, fire hydrant, and sewer extension are in place on Lot 1 with easements in place for lot 2.

Shared Recreation/Agricultural Area

Reciprocal Easement Boundary

Organic farm/Equestrian Facilities.

• 15 acres • 3/4 mile Animas River Frontage • USDA Certified Organic Farms • ~100 Acres Shared Recreational /Agricultural Area • Private terrace area for Equestrian Facilities or Organic Farm.

• Cattle/Horse Pasture • Excellent Domestic Well • La Plata Electric Service (Panel / Pedestal Transformer) • City of Durango Water and Sewer Lines to Lot.

Reciprocal Easement Boundary

Shared Recreation/Agricultural Area

Organic farm/Equestrian Facilities.

• 36.33 acres • 3/4 mile Animas River Frontage • USDA Certified Organic Farms • ~100 Acres Shared Recreational / Agricultural Area • Private terrace area for Equestrian Facilities or Organic Farm. • Cattle/Horse Pasture • Excellent Domestic Well • La Plata Electric Service Available • City of Durango Water and Sewer Available.

Main House Floor Plan

Guest House Floor Plan

USGS 1898 Photo Animas Meanders Reserve (AMR) lies in the Animas Valley, just north of the city of Durango, CO. This part of town is still referred to as “Animas City” which was the regional trading center in the 1860s & 70s before Durango was established. In the 1800’s AMR was operated as a large dairy farm (see photo) supplying miners and other settlers with a variety of dairy products. The property was farmed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) photographer Chester W. Purington took the photograph of Animas City in 1898. The photo clearly depicts the AMR property in the left center of the image with a large dairy operation on what is now Lots 1 and 2. The 32nd Street bridge appears in the foreground of the photo.

Sugnet Family Ranch purchased the AMR property in 1991 and began habitat restoration. Whittle Land & Cattle then joined the partnership and brought ranch management expertise. Today the AMR development team offers the buyer one of the most unique residential projects in the Western United States. Future AMR homeowners will enjoy a special sense of place at the reserve. The rare setting is in tune with history and nature, but with Durango city addresses and instant access via the Durango city trail to all that urban Durango has to offer.

There are two conservation easements on AMR. The easements reserves home sites on the property to be associated with ranching and farming and the preservation of ecological values.

The habitat restoration and agricultural management was begun in 1991 The restoration was guided by a highly qualified land steward and was developed to comply exactly with the objectives of the easements. Habitats are now mature and the degree of wildlife present confirm the success of the project.

The ongoing agricultural activities (organic farming and carefully managed cattle grazing), along with the habitat restoration program is testament to the success of almost 25 years of excellent ecological stewardship.

Lot 1 is subject to a conservation easement recorded in 2001 that reserves 2 residences on the 15 acre property.

Lots 2,3, and 4 are subject to a conservation easement recorded in 1978 that allows for 3 residences on those 3 parcels.

In 2010 Sugnet Family Ranch land stewards realized a dream when the sandy loam topsoil that had been stockpiled from 20 years of bottomland habitat restoration was laser-leveled on the upper terrace of AMR Lot 1 to create Animas Valley Farms.

A significant investment was made to level the terrace, fence the fields, and install flood and drip irrigation systems using surface water from the Reid Ditch. Big gun sprinklers were installed in 2019 with a grant from USDA. A large greenhouse was constructed in 2012.

The first row crops were planted in 2011 and USDA Organic Certification was awarded in that summer. First year production was very successful. The story of the farm was covered in Edibles of the San Juan Mountains Magazine and can be found at the following link: http://issuu.com/sunnyboypublications/docs/edible_summer_2012 The buyer will have the option to continue usage of the gardens or make a simple conversion to equestrian or other uses.

www.animasvalleyfarms.com

AMR was developed through a unique partnership over almost 25 years. AMR is owned by Sugnet Family Ranch LLC and Whittle Land and Cattle.

The Sugnet Family founded Animas River Wetland Mitigation Inc. in 1991 and led a team of expert scientists to conduct the habitat restoration component from 1991 until 2013.

Whittle Land and Cattle now leases a portion of the bottom lands for a small, managed grazing operation that produces excellent beef.

Animas Valley Farms was established by Sugnet Family Ranch LLC on the upper terrace of Lot 1 in 2011. It was certified USDA Organic in 2012.

Whittle and Sugnet have developed the AMR Master Plan using their broad expertise in residential development, agriculture, and habitat restoration to create a one-of-a-kind residential community in Durango. Please contact Katie Sturm at katie@lpwsir.com for sales information.

Architect Douglas Balsley, a renowned master planner for 22 years at Hart Howerton, NY (Vail, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Yellowstone Club), produced the final AMR master plan. Preliminary lot plans and home site concepts are included in this presentation.

Architect Balsley is available to consult on detailed lot plans.

Katie Sturm Broker Associate Legacy Properties West - Sotheby’s International Realty 743 Main Ave Durango, CO 81301 970.799.3975 Katie@katiesturm.com www.legacypropertieswestsir.com