Lake Fork Ranch | Fay Ranches

LAKE FORK RANCH

Leadville, Lake County, Colorado

$12,100,000 | 797± Acres

Lake Fork Ranch | Leadville, Colorado

INTRODUCTION

The stunning views from Lake Fork Ranch are dominated by the two highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. The ranch is located virtually at the base of Mount Massive in the Upper Arkansas River Valley, surrounded by the Sawatch and Mosquito Mountain Ranges. The land is a combination of irrigated meadows, forest, and creek bottom and overlooks the Arkansas River a mile below Turquoise Lake Recreation Area.

The world-class ski mountains of Vail, Copper Mountain, and Beaver Creek are less than an hour’s drive from Lake Fork Ranch. Ski Cooper, a great family ski mountain, is only fifteen minutes from the ranch. Leadville’s airport, restaurants, shops, and nightlife are only minutes from the ranch gate. Leadville is a well-known center for endurance sports, but the average weekend athlete can enjoy the adjacent golf course, hiking, biking, and equestrian activities, in addition to most winter sports.

The core of the ranch is the valuable package of water rights. Seven irrigation ditches provide water, and Lake Fork Creek meanders for a mile and a half through the heart of the ranch. Recently, a significant stream restoration and fish habitat improvement project was implemented to improve trout fishing. Elk hunting or viewing is excellent as well.

The ranch enjoys great neighbors, The National Fish Hatchery, Colorado Outward Bound, and Mount Massive Golf Course. Trailheads providing access to Mount Massive Wilderness and Holy Cross Wilderness are only minutes away. Lake Fork Ranch is a spectacular opportunity to create your own legacy property and invest in water rights and big acreage near town. Meanwhile, as your water and land investment grows, you can enjoy all the wonderful recreational activities Colorado mountain life offers.

QUICK FACTS

• 797± acres

• Valuable water rights and ag income

• Exceptional trout fishing on 1.5± miles of Lake Fork Creek

• Great neighbors: Mount Massive Golf Course, Colorado Outward Bound, Leadville National Fish

Hatchery

• Located in the heart of ski country: Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, Ski Cooper

• Easy year-round maintained access

• Updated ranch house and cottage

• Working ranch buildings, corrals, and historic homestead buildings

• Mixture of pasture, forest, and creek bottomland

• Excellent elk hunting with LPP or public draw GMU 48

• Stunning views of the highest peaks in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains

• 5 minutes to the Leadville Airport

ACREAGE

•

797± total acres

The land is very level and varied with dark timber forest, hay meadows, and creek bottom. Approximately 130± acres are forested, and over 500± acres are irrigated pastures and hay meadows. The remainder is comprised of Lake Fork Creek and associated environs.

4 Lake Fork Ranch | Leadville, Colorado

SCENIC VISTAS

Impressive might not be a strong enough adjective to describe the views from Lake Fork Ranch. Mount Elbert and Mount Massive in the Sawatch Range, the two highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains, lie at the doorstep of the ranch. To the east is the Mosquito Range with 14,000+ foot peaks like Quandary Peak and Mount Lincoln. The Upper Arkansas River is a stone’s throw away as it gathers water and begins its journey to the Mississippi River.

IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements include a two-story, fourbedroom refurbished ranch house, large hay barn, three-bay open garage, four-bay garage, large dairy barn, milk cabin cottage, repair shop, tack room, calving shed, horse sheds, corrals, 1880s vintage log cabin, and vintage log barn.

Lake Fork Ranch | Leadville, Colorado

Lake Fork Ranch | Leadville, Colorado

Lake Fork Ranch | Leadville, Colorado

RECREATION

In addition to the excellent hunting and fishing on the ranch, there are a variety of summer and winter recreational opportunities available on the ranch and nearby. World-class downhill skiing at several ski areas is less than an hour away, and skiing at a more family-friendly mountain is only fifteen minutes away. Of course, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ski touring are right out the ranch door. A plethora of summer activities await the new owner. Hiking, camping, mountain biking, golf, and equestrian activities are a few of the things summer in Colorado offers.

Photos not taken on property on pages 18 & 19

H unting & W ildlife

Through a variety of applications in the Landowner Preference Program (LPP) and leftover draws, the ranch has traditionally acquired 7-8 hunting permits. The owners do not allow rifle hunting on the ranch as there is too much activity on the surrounding roads. All hunting is done via archery or muzzleloader, and some of the permits may be used off the ranch and in GMU 48.

The fishing is excellent, with a mile and a half of the namesake Lake Fork Creek on the ranch. A stream rehabilitation and habitat enhancement plan was prepared and implemented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at a substantial cost. Consequently, cattle access to the stream is limited, fish habitat is improved, and stream flow is enhanced. Also very nearby are the Upper Arkansas River, Turquoise Lake, and the headwaters of the Eagle River offering multiple fishing options minutes from the ranch.

AREA HISTORY

Leadville, Colorado, holds a storied history that reflects the resilience and pioneering spirit of the American West. Originally known as “Silver City,” Leadville rose to prominence during the silver boom of the mid-1800s. The discovery of rich lead deposits further bolstered the town’s prosperity, earning it the name “Leadville.” With a population that once exceeded 30,000, Leadville became a thriving mining town, attracting prospectors, merchants, and renowned figures of the time. The history of Leadville, Colorado, is not limited to the era of mining and settlement. Long before European explorers and settlers arrived, the area was home to various Native American tribes. The Ute people, in particular, inhabited the region, relying on the land’s resources for their sustenance. They traversed the mountains, valleys, and high plains, following migratory patterns and engaging in trade with neighboring tribes.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

In Addition to the famous National Mining Museum, Leadville hosts a vibrant array of special events annually, captivating both locals and visitors alike. One highly anticipated occasion is the Leadville Trail 100 Race Series, a legendary ultramarathon that tests endurance and determination as participants navigate through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. The Boom Days celebration commemorates the town’s rich mining history with a lively mix of parades, live music, and historical reenactments. For cycling enthusiasts, the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race pushes riders to their limits on rugged mountain terrain. Additionally, the Leadville Ski Joring Festival combines equestrian skills with skiing, where horseback riders tow skiers at remarkable speeds down the snow-packed streets of this picturesque town. With its diverse and thrilling assortment of annual events, Leadville truly embraces its heritage while offering unforgettable experiences for all.

Leadville, Colorado

INCOME OPPORTUNITY

The ranch is a working ranch currently leased to a local rancher. There is income from that lease as well as hay production and hunting opportunities.

24 Lake Fork Ranch | Leadville, Colorado

WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS

The ranch’s irrigation water rights are both extensive and valuable, at nearly 17.5 cubic feet per second (CFS). A plan is in place that allows the leasing of some of the water to the city of Aurora, Colorado. Additionally, there is an annual appropriation of 5± acre-feet of groundwater delivered by a 50 gallons per minute (GPM) pump to service the ranch headquarter buildings. Specific water rights information will be available to qualified buyers.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the Buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.

LOCATION

The ranch is located at 9,500 feet elevation, which is comparable to Breckenridge, Colorado. Leadville town center is only minutes away from the ranch and is a crossroads of sorts. Easy drives and equal access to the Vail Valley, Copper Mountain/Summit County, and the Buena Vista/Salida area make the town a center of activity that is certain to increase in popularity and importance.

GETTING THERE

The ranch is located minutes south of Leadville. Leaving Leadville Center, travel approximately 4.5 miles to Highway 300. Turn right (west) and proceed 0.75 miles to the ranch gate.

AIRPORT SERVICES

Lake County Airport, also known as Leadville Airport, is a small public airport located minutes from Lake Fork Ranch. The airport has a single runway, which is 6,400 feet (1,951 meters) long. The airport offers a range of services and amenities for pilots, passengers, and aircraft. These include fuel services (100LL and Jet-A), aircraft parking, tie-downs, and a terminal building. The terminal provides a waiting area, restrooms, and limited facilities.

SUMMARY

Elizabeth Barrett Browning once wrote, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” This is true, too, of Lake Fork Ranch. It’s the 1.5± miles of a productive fish habitat-improved Lake Fork Creek. It’s the valuable and extensive water rights and the hunting opportunities. It’s the stunning views of impressive fourteeners and a multitude of recreational opportunities. A golf course, fish hatchery, Turquoise Lake, and the Arkansas River are all neighbors. It could be the easy access to world-class ski areas, the summer jaunt over Independence Pass to Aspen, or maybe the cool summer nights that might be worthy of your love. Possibly you just love a last vestige of wildness that needs to be saved for future generations or the 797± lush acres for your favorite horses to roam. Whatever it is that draws you to consider this ranch, it is not difficult to see all the possibilities and wonderful attributes that are Lake Fork Ranch.

$12,100,000

Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange

Please contact Jim Vidamour at (719) 890-4590 | jvidamour@fayranches.com to schedule a showing.

This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com .

PRICE TERMS CONTACT NOTICE

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.