OFF THE MARKET: Rio Grande del Norte Ranch | Fay Ranches

RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE RANCH

Jaroso, Costilla County, Colorado

$1,296,000 | 810± acres

Rio Grande del Norte Ranch| Jaroso, Colorado

INTRODUCTION

Rio Grande Del Norte Ranch is 810± deeded acres containing 0.75± miles of the Rio Grande River. It is a gorgeous canyon setting with elevations at 7,750’ dropping down to 7,400’ in the river bottom. A private trailhead (shared) provides rare river access into the gorge. Wild yet accessible, the ranch offers unique fishing for large brown trout and northern pike. Deer, elk, and other wildlife traverse the property constantly. A great variety of waterfowl utilizes the river heavily. In 2016 when the owner of the adjoining 275± acres applied, they received a private lands rifle-hunt deer tag.

The ranch abuts vast public lands on two sides. A large tract of BLM makes up the western boundary (across the river), then to the south, the 243,000± acre Rio Grande del Norte National Monument sprawls into New Mexico. Massive, stunning 360-degree views take in distant snow-capped mountains, and Ute Mountain rises in the southern foreground begging to be climbed. A historic gauging station with a cable car still hangs over this vital watershed. This is an exciting, charismatic live water environment that sings out the majestic nature of the Rio Grande - a river wildlife corridor that reaches 1,900 miles across three states! A solitary but easy-to-access location, the property is less than one hour from Taos, New Mexico, with gas and groceries available in nearby Costilla, New Mexico.

Costilla County is 95% privately owned. Land trusts and the BLM are very interested in expanding protected lands here. Large private river parcels are not common, so this one presents an opportunity for conservation. Currently, however, there are no conservation easements or restrictions. It is just a dramatic, private get-away where one can fish, explore, hunt, and hike to their heart’s content. Bring your pop-up, fifth wheel, or rock-star bus. The county-maintained dirt roads are pretty good. There are also some off-grid homes in the immediate area.

Much is written about the Rio Grande Gorge, but in “The Last Beautiful Days of Autumn,” Milagro Beanfield War author John Nichols reflects, “I…experience a great lust to disappear into the Rio Grande Gorge, there to spend afternoons among basalt boulders, plying the low clear river for trout. Everything physical seems to come together - in my body and on the surrounding land….Each perfect day, I know, is going to be the last beautiful day of autumn.”

QUICK FACTS

• 810± deeded acres

• Adjoins 243,000± acres of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument – New Mexico

• Adjoins thousands more acres of BLM public land - Colorado

• Unique fishing for large brown trout and giant northern pike

• Rare private trail down into the Rio Grande Gorge

• 0.75± miles of Rio Grande River

• Deer, elk, waterfowl, and wildlife

• Stunning 360 degree views with distant snow-capped mountains

• Solitary location, easy access, and year-round recreation

• One hour from Taos, New Mexico and Taos Ski Valley

• One hour from Alamosa, Colorado with United Airlines Service

• Gas and groceries in Costilla, New Mexico just 25 minutes away

Rio Grande del Norte Ranch | Jaroso, Colorado

LOCATION

This property’s southern boundary is literally the state line between Colorado and New Mexico. The closest community is Jaroso, Colorado, with Costilla, New Mexico a close second, providing several gas, grocery, and lodging options.

Larger resources can be found 60 miles to the north in Alamosa, Colorado, which boasts a regional airport served by United Airlines, a college, a hospital, hotels, and restaurants. An hour south, you find the famous art town of Taos with all its charm and world-famous snow skiing.

Santa Fe is 120 miles to the south. Colorado Springs is 174 miles to the north.

AIRPORT SERVICES

San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) located in Alamosa is 35 miles from the ranch. It is served by United Airlines, with convenient daily flights to Denver, and Hertz Rental Cars. There is a fullservice FBO and rental hangars available.

Rio Grande del Norte Ranch

Jaroso, CO

Taos, NM

Alamosa, CO

AREA HISTORY

The Rio Grande was occupied by Native Americans long before the Spanish came exploring in the 1500s. A sharp eye can find arrowheads and artifacts here if one is inclined to look for them. Certainly, hunting and fishing are the oldest use of this property, and remnants of the tools can still be found.

In more recent times, the Rio Grande watershed has been a hot topic whose water resources have been heavily discussed between Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. A Rio Grande Compact was signed in 1938, then from 1953 to 1982, the gaging station on this state border (on this ranch) provided important data used to negotiate compliance of the compact between these thirsty states.

On the New Mexico side of the border, 242,555 acres in Taos County were proclaimed a national monument. Its designation is intended to provide additional protections to this wild and scenic area managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Photo Attribution: David R. Ingham at the English-language Wikipedia Photo not taken on property

ACREAGE

810± deeded acres

SCENIC VISTAS

There are dramatic mountain views here. Ute Mountain and its access point directly adjoin the ranch on the south. At 10,093 feet, Ute Mountain is the highest point of the Rio Grande National Monument. It is a 3000-foot-rise that you can hike up and experience solitary wilderness-style recreation.

Way off to the east, the Culebra Range of the Sangre de Christo Mountains is your dramatic distant view. Often snow-covered, these mountains include the southerly most Colorado “Fourteener” of the Rocky Mountains - Culebra Peak at 14,047 feet. (Then again, this place is really about the fishing.)

CLIMATE

Climate information for San Luis, Colorado

Climate information courtesy of http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Luis-Colorado.html

RECREATION

Fishing and hiking have been the primary uses of the current owners. Some hunting opportunities exist, and an owner could use the gorge access trail to put in and take out float trips on the river.

Moreover, there is nothing like camping on your own private land next to a trailhead that puts you on the river in about 10 minutes!

H unting & W ildlife

In 2016 when the owner of the adjoining 275± acres piece applied, they received a private lands riflehunt deer tag. Since then, landowner preference programs have not been explored with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Taos Ski Valley village and alpine ski resort is about 60 miles away.

This stretch of Rio Grande is very special, with the owners catching many large Brown Trout and Northern Pike over the years. Note the Rio Grande is a year-round fishery. The winters can be cold, but the sun almost always shines.

f is H ing

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS | ACTIVITIES

If one has not visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park – it is a remarkable must-see place! This unique park and preserve is just 65 miles north of the ranch.

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 has a love of the land and a desire to see it remain as productive agricultural ground as well as quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting the use of thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitat and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, the landscape on which we work has been significantly enhanced by the conservation ethic and land use practices of our clients.

SUMMARY

Wild yet accessible, this ranch offers unique fishing for monster brown trout and large northern pike on 0.75± miles of the Rio Grande River. A private trailhead provides rare river access into the gorge. The ranch adjoins a chunk of BLM land to the west and 243,000± acres of National Monument to the south. Deer and elk traverse the property. The views are stunning. It’s located one hour from Taos, New Mexico.

$1,296,000

Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange

Please contact Robert Martin at ( 505)-603-9140 | rmartin@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.

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