National Recognition
M4 Ranch Group once again earned national recognition at the 2026 National Land Conference (NLC26) in San Antonio, TX, hosted by the REALTORS® Land Institute. Honored with multiple 2025 RLI APEX Awards, including distinctions for top production, collaboration, and leadership across the U.S. land industry.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the National Land Conference, this was the largest gathering of land professionals in RLI’s history. Each year, the APEX Awards Program, sponsored by The Land Report, celebrates the top-performing land brokers and Accredited Land Consultants nationwide at M4 Ranch Group was at its very centre!
M4 Ranch Group’s Highlights
2025 was a landmark year for M4 Ranch Group, representing extraordinary production and teamwork across the Mountain West.
We received multiple accolades, including:
- The APEX ALC‑to‑ALC Networking Award (Largest Transaction Between Two Accredited Land Consultants)
- Two Top 20 National Producer Awards
- Region 6 Broker of the Year Award
- and Four M4 brokers named to the APEX Producers Club
“This year’s results weren’t about one isolated deal,” said Dan Murphy, ALC. “It was broad, meaningful production across the board”
What It Takes to Earn APEX Recognition
When asked what it takes to qualify for APEX recognition, Dan Murphy shared his perspective:
“From my perspective, the APEX Awards represent one of the clearest measures of true accomplishment in the land business”
These awards recognize the top producers in the United States based on verified land sales volume, so even being included in that group says a great deal about the level at which a broker or company is performing.
To be named a top producer in APEX means you’ve risen to the top in your qualifying property type and region against some of the strongest land professionals in the country. That’s what makes the recognition so meaningful, it’s not simply participation; it reflects:
- Real production
- Real transactions
- Real performance at the highest level of our industry
“For M4 Ranch Group, being recognized again in 2025 among the very top in the Mountain West was especially meaningful. This is one of the most competitive and dynamic land markets in the country, and to see our team stand out… says a great deal about the strength of our network, the caliber of our clients, and the consistency of our work”
The Top 20 recognition carries even deeper meaning; To be named among the twenty highest‑producing land professionals in the nation means you’re not measured only within one niche or region, but across all qualifying categories nationwide.
“In simple terms, it means being counted among the top land professionals in America based purely on performance”
For a firm of our intentionally boutique size, earning two of those Top 20 spots nationally is something we take great pride in. It reflects the relationships we’ve built, the trust our clients place in us, and our commitment to representing premier ranch and land properties at the highest level.
“That’s not something we take lightly and we’re deeply grateful for it”
Recognition That Benefits Clients
“For our clients, recognition like this matters because it’s evidence of experience, reach, and execution”
On the seller side, it means they’re hiring a team that understands how to position exceptional properties, expose them to a national audience, and bring credible buyers to the table.
On the buyer side, it means they’re working with professionals who can identify value, navigate complex ranch issues, and see transactions through successfully.
“It’s not about trophies on a wall, it’s about better representation, stronger relationships, and more informed decision‑making”
Client Response and Confidence
Buyers and sellers alike appreciate that these recognitions reflect actual results, not marketing language. It gives them confidence that M4 Ranch Group operates at a high level and is connected to one of the best referral and deal-making networks in the country.
“The client response has been overwhelmingly positive, but maybe the best word for it is reassuring. Clients want to know they’ve hired a team that’s respected nationally and trusted within the land industry, and awards like this reinforce that”
A spotlight on Dan Murphy
Among M4’s top recognitions was Dan Murphy’s acknowledgment as one of the Top 20 National Producers in the United States, marking his continued presence among the nation’s most accomplished land professionals.
Reflecting on the honor, Dan shared:
“My reaction is honestly a mix of gratitude and humility. Recognition like this means a great deal to me because it comes from the top land professionals in the country through an organization I care deeply about”
- APEX represents verified national production excellence
- M4’s success in 2025 demonstrates consistent, high‑value transactions and teamwork
- Recognition as a Top 20 National Producer shows M4 Ranch Group standing shoulder to shoulder with the largest national firms
“RLI has been a major part of my professional life, so to be recognized at the National Land Conference in San Antonio carries real meaning for me. More than anything, it reflects the people I get to work alongside every day at M4 Ranch Group, the clients who trust us, and the relationships that continue to make this business so rewarding”
The Flagship Transaction – Atarque Ranch
One of 2025’s most notable transactions was the Atarque Ranch sale in western New Mexico, a 109,000‑contiguous acre property (including roughly 97,825 deeded acres and additional state lease acreage), that stands among the region’s most significant western landholdings.
“Atarque was a flagship transaction because it brought together scale, natural resource value, recreational appeal, and long-term significance all in one deal. Those are the kinds of opportunities I take the most pride in”
Dan Murphy represented the buyer in the sale, noting that the ranch’s significance stretched well beyond its size:
“That transaction meant a great deal to me because it was the kind of ranch that rarely comes to market and even more rarely changes hands. I was proud to be part of bringing together a transaction of that scale, complexity, and importance. It wasn’t simply the size of it, but what it represented…. It required trust, discretion, deep market knowledge, and a real understanding of what makes an iconic ranch valuable beyond just acreage”
This transaction embodied the qualities that define legacy ranch brokerage; stewardship, habitat, water, privacy, history and long-term vision. The ranch had been held by the same family for decades, which made the transition all the more meaningful.
“It also reflects the kind of work I care most about; helping serious buyers secure legacy-caliber properties in the Mountain West that are not easily replicated”
The Power of the ALC Network and RLI Collaboration
Dan Murphy also received the APEX ALC‑to‑ALC Networking Award, alongside Dean Saunders, ALC, of Saunders Real Estate in Florida, for completing the largest referral transaction in the United States between two Accredited Land Consultants.
“This award means a great deal to me personally, it represents a lifetime of relationships, trust, and meaningful involvement in the land industry. It reflects the strength of the collaboration that makes truly significant land transactions possible”
As a past national president of RLI, Dan emphasized the importance of professional cooperation, noting:
“That is what the ALC network is supposed to represent at its best; trusted professionals bringing their relationships, knowledge, and experience together for the benefit of the client”
Dan also noted that working with an ALC and a national Top Twenty producer gives buyers and sellers an edge because land is different. Ranches and rural land are not plug-and-play assets, they involve:
- Water
- Access
- Habitat
- Improvements
- Conservation issues
- Agricultural use
- Recreational value
- Tax strategy
- Long-term vision
An ALC brings specialized education and experience to that mix
“A national Top Twenty producer brings proof of execution at a high level; when you combine that with a network built through RLI, you are giving buyers and sellers better intelligence, better access to opportunities, and better odds of getting a deal done the right way”
It reflects the strength of relationships, professionalism, and collaboration that make truly significant land transactions possible.
Market Insight and 2026 Outlook
Reflecting on trends shaping land real estate, Dan Murphy noted that M4 Ranch Group continues to see strong demand for scarce, high‑quality western ranches featuring real natural assets, particularly; privacy, water, wildlife habitat, hunting, recreation value and long‑term conservation value.
Looking ahead to 2026, Dan Murphy expects:
- Truly special properties, will continue to command attention, and remain highly sought after; especially where there is water, privacy, strong habitat, recreation, and meaningful long-term hold value
- Buyers will also continue to be selective, they want quality, authenticity, and properties that stand apart
- Buyers are also still drawn to the Rocky Mountain region for its lifestyle, legacy, and capital preservation
Dan believes the market is rewarding expertise and disciplined representation more than ever, which is good for serious buyers and sellers alike.
“M4 has built a reputation for precisely the kind of properties that remain hard to replicate and hard to replace. That combination has continued to serve us well”
Legacy and Leadership
The 2026 National Land Conference also marked the culmination of Dan Murphy’s term as National President of the REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI), where he officially passed on the Presidency to incoming president Geoff Hurdle. Serving in this role represented a defining milestone in Dan Murphy’s career and a continuation of M4 Ranch Group’s deep involvement within the nation’s premier land organizations.
Reflecting on the experience, Dan shared:
“Serving as National President of the REALTORS® Land Institute has been an incredible privilege. This organization brings educated, dedicated land professionals together at a higher level, and the National Land Conference has always felt like something more than just business… It feels like family”
Alongside:
“I could not be more proud to hand the presidency to the next great legacy leader, Geoff Hurdle. RLI is the true voice of land across this nation, and I am deeply humbled to have had the opportunity to help lead it. I believe strongly in where this organization is headed, and I expect great things in the years ahead”
Dan’s reflections underscores the lasting impact of professional collaboration and shared purpose within the land brokerage community. Values that continue to guide M4 Ranch Group’s leadership, culture, and commitment to excellence.
M4 Ranch Group
There’s a reason why we’re considered the go-to brokerage for those looking for Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming ranch land for sale.
At M4 Ranch Group, finding you the perfect piece of land is our top priority, alongside securing you a lasting legacy. Our dedicated brokers are ready to assist you in realizing your dream
View our Colorado Ranches For Sale, New Mexico Ranches For Sale and Wyoming Ranches For Sale
A Sample of Ranches For Sale
Thundering Hooves Ranch
$21,900,000
Thundering Hooves Ranch is a remarkable property spanning 5,709.3± deeded acres. With an extensive water supply, diverse wildlife, and direct access to public lands, this property offers a rare opportunity for hunters and ranchers alike.
Red Mountain Ranch
$18,495,000
Red Mountain Ranch features two 7±-acre lakes, over 3 miles of improved trout streams, and Red Mountain Creek, which flows through the entire length of the property. This Colorado Ranch For Sale, also includes an Engelmann Spruce log cabin, a second log cabin for guests, and a barn with a caretaker’s apartment located above.
Ragged Spur Ranch
$15,900,000
Ragged Spur Ranch encompasses 3,760± acres in Gunnison County with irrigated ground, historic water rights, and premier hunting in GMU 521. With creek frontage, public land borders, and year-round access, it’s a rare Western Slope ranch offering both recreation and productivity.
