Suckla Ranch

The Suckla Ranch is a true cowboy cattle operation ranch. Located in Disappointment Valley in Southwest Colorado, about 65 miles from Telluride, Colorado. The ranch is strategically placed throughout its 6,760± deeded acres and its 81,133± leased acres of forest service and BLM land, making for a highly successful operation. The ranch holds the sole permits on the forest service and BLM acreage, which is a rarity and asset to the ranch operations. The ranch’s vast acreage is made up of various topographies giving way to good winter and summer operating climates. It is approximately 15 miles from the winter camp in Disappointment Valley to the summer camp on the Glades, San Juan National Forest. The cattle are trailed to summer and winter range but never leave the ranch property, so no trucking is ever needed.

The operations of the ranch have been skillfully thought out, leading to 60 years of good ranching. The calves are processed on the winter range when they come off the summer permit then weighed on

the ranch scales and shipped out or weaned. If you choose to wean the calves there is a weaning fence between the fields, creating less stress on the calves. The ranch can be run by two good hands and occasional day help making the cost per head much lower than most ranching operations. The corral work is done at a central location from branding in the spring to weighing and shipping calves in the fall.

The acreage includes some irrigated land. The irrigated land surrounding the corrals is critical in this operation. The water comes from Disappointment Creek and is good until early July, giving the ranch one cutting of hay, approximately 300 round bales, and good pasture for the fall. The ranch is comprised of enough acreage that you never have to feed cows as there is enough pasture to graze.

Improvements

Improvements are spread throughout the ranch and leased acreage. The headquarters is in the valley, consisting of a 2,808± square foot ranch house, full RV hookup, 30 x 40 Quonset Shop, 40 x 50 workshop, 84 x 90 combination hay shed – equipment shed – calving stall – tack room, full set of working corrals, and a pond filled with a good working well. At the working facilities for cattle and the hay fields, improvements in place are a 12 x 20 workers cabin/cook shack, certified set of scales, hydraulic chute, and calf table. In the mountain section of the ranch is a line camp with a 12 x 20 cabin. On the forest permit section of the ranch, where summer operations take place is a 1,326± square foot cabin, and the cabin is privately owned. Additionally, there is a bunkhouse, tack shed, and corrals.

Other than the incredible cattle operation of the ranch that is already in place, the ranch offers other opportunities for growth and development. Located in Game Management Units 70 & 711, the ranch has a multitude of wildlife including mule deer, elk, bears, mountain lions, antelope, mountain sheep, and turkey. It also has bald eagles and wild horses for great viewing experiences. Giving way to other income operations such as hunting and recreational ventures.

Surrounding Attributes

Telluride Ski ResortTelluride, CO

Telluride Ski Resort is considered one of Colorado’s best ski resorts and one of the best in the country—and for good reason. More than 2,000 skiable acres and 4,425-foot vertical drop: 23 percent beginner, 36 percent intermediate, 41 percent expert/advanced. The small, 8-by-12 block town itself is an adorable, European-style village set in a canyon of tall mountain peaks. Although it is most well-known as a winter destination, music and food festivals draw visitors in the warmer months.

Mesa Verde National ParkMancos, CO

Located in Southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from AD 600 to 1300. Today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. Mesa Verde is always open, but opportunities vary from season to season.

McPhee Recreation AreaDolores, CO

McPhee Reservoir is the fifth largest lake in Colorado. It provides one of the best spots in Southwest Colorado for warm weather, big lake fun. It’s the largest lake in the San Juan National Forest, with a beautiful topography of piñon, juniper, and sagebrush trees. Things to do at the McPhee Recreation Area include boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and biking.

Canyonlands National ParkMoab, UT

Canyonlands National Park preserves 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires in the heart of southeast Utah's high desert. Water and gravity have been the prime architects of this land, sculpting layers of rock into the rugged landscape you see today.

Canyonlands preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts, which are divided by the Green and Colorado rivers. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Slickrock Bike Trails Moab, UT

Slickrock is perhaps the most popular mountain bike trail in the world, boasting over 100,000 visitors per year. The Slickrock Bike Trail is only 12 miles long and can prove absolutely exasperating. Rarely do you leave your easiest gears and "spin" at an easy cadence. Inasmuch, bikers should allow 4 hours to ride the entire loop; more if side routes are explored. Carry more water than usual, because the warm, dry weather and physical exertion can cause dehydration quickly. First time "rockers" might consider following the 2.3-mile Practice Loop before tackling the entire trail. Although no less difficult than the real thing, the Practice Loop allows you to get a feel for the trail without venturing too far from the trailhead.