Welcome to our Industry Expert and Broker Series, where we showcase the best Ranches for sale across the American West; curated by our professional Ranch Brokers at M4 Ranch Group who know the lay of the land, like the back of their hands.
In this Listing spotlight, we interview Seth Craft and Butch Porter who share their thoughts on ‘Red Mountain Ranch’. A breathtaking property for sale in Colorado with M4 Ranch Group.
Read on to learn more…
What makes Red Mountain Ranch stand out from all the other listings For Sale in Colorado?
I’d say one of the biggest and most remarkable aspects is that Unit 76 is kind of the pinnacle for big elk. Normally, when you find private inholdings, they’re around 160 acres. But you almost never see something as large as a 480 acre inholding, completely surrounded by national forest, essentially blocking off access to a huge area.
Honestly, it probably secures about 10,000 acres of valley, with another 30,000 acres stretching above that. You could travel nearly all the way from Creede to Pagosa Springs without ever crossing a main road. It’s pretty incredible.
What value do you see in the ranch? Why is this property a valuable investment?
Trophy-class wildlife, conservation-protected land, and infrastructure set up for operations or extended stays… those features pretty much cover everything. The conservation value alone is significant; we recently had it appraised at between five and seven million dollars. Which is a substantial amount for a ranch of this size!
Plus, with the amount of water on this property, it truly feels like one of the most expansive ranches I’ve ever seen, especially considering it’s only 480 acres.
What is the most unexpected feature of the property?
The Moose on the property! We even captured them swimming in the lake (*take a look at the video – below).
What is the historical significance of this property?
There’s a lot of history tied to this property, examples include:
- Homesteading from the 1880s
- Native American Heritage
- Buffalo Jump Sites
- An Agricultural Legacy
- Livestock Grazing
- Hay production
- There was an old homestead on the land, but it has since been taken down.
Can you share specific stories or anecdotes about the ranch and your visits? What memorable
moments or key takeaways stand out to you?
The other day, after showing the ranch, I was tidying up the charcuterie board and just took a moment to take in the surroundings. From my chair, I could hear the river flowing below and watched the wind whipping across the mountaintop.
It was honestly some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever witnessed in my life. I just sat there, soaking it all up… it was truly incredible and will never be forgotten.
What drew you personally to this property?
It’s an absolute dream; you could step on thousands of ranches and never see a ranch like this!
What are the top recreational opportunities on this ranch?
Horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking are all fantastic out here, you’re truly surrounded by wilderness. Horseback riding is definitely a highlight, but ATV’ing is also incredible, especially since so much of the road access is blocked off to others. You can hop onto a little two-track road and just keep going forever.
Plus, they have special permission to cross into the wilderness, which is pretty unique as most people don’t have that luxury.
How would you describe the surrounding landscape and how it enhances the property?
I really need to mention the pinnacles down there, ‘Rhonda’s Arch’ for example is breathtaking. The landscape offers a little bit of everything, making it easily one of the most diverse ranches I’ve ever seen.
As you drive in, the Rhonda Arches greet you, and from the back porch, you’re looking straight at 12,500-foot peaks. There’s also water everywhere, with aspen trees that light up the hillsides with color.
It truly has every feature you could hope for, It’s simply stunning.
What’s one thing a potential buyer might not realize about this ranch just from looking at the
listing?
I’d say the conservation value (*highlighted above). So your conservation easement would protect your agricultural exemption on the ranch. So that also would protect your hunting tags by having ag status, and pretty much all you’re taking away from is the development rights, but you’re protecting it. A legacy ranch by perpetuity, and it already has three structures on it.
It’s not like you’re going to want to do anything else.
What kind of improvements, if any, would take this ranch to the next level?
Everything is absolutely done right, this is the “be-all and end-all” ranch… there’s not a single thing I’d change about it. I love it.
Where is your favorite location on the ranch, and how did you come across it?
I would like the readers to get a feel of imagining their life on this ranch, truly connecting with the land and its beauty.
One of my favorite moments was at the guest cabin, setting everything up and making a fire on the front porch. As I sat there, soaking up the fire I looked out at the main residence with Red Mountain rising above the creek and everything else flowing around it effortlessly.
Every element comes together perfectly here, it’s honestly the most remarkable ranch I’ve ever experienced.
What kind of legacy could an owner build on this property?
I think it’s already built, the cherry on top is the conservation.
Who would you think is the ideal buyer for this property?
This ranch would be ideal for BlackRock, or an executive or a high-profile individual… perhaps even a president or former president-looking for a true retreat from city life.
The property is completely off-grid, powered by hydroelectricity, so you have full independence and security, with no concerns about unwanted intrusion. Year-round access makes it practical as a primary residence if desired. It’s the ultimate private sanctuary for those who value self-sufficiency, privacy, and peace of mind.
Red Mountain Ranch – Highlights
- State/Town: Creede, Colorado
- Price: $19,450,000
- Deeded Acres: 480+ Acres
- Key Features:
- Acreage:
- 480± deeded acres surrounded by the 388,000±-acre Rio Grande National Forest
- Water Features:
- Two 7±-acre lakes, over 3 miles of improved trout streams, and Red Mountain Creek, offering a premium fishery for brown and rainbow trout
- Hunting Opportunities:
- Situated in Game Management Unit 76, known for trophy elk, mule deer, and moose hunting. The property is enrolled in the Landowner Preference Program, providing elk and mule deer hunting tags
- Elevation and Scenery:
- Elevations range from 9,300 to 9,700 feet, with vistas of surrounding 12,000-foot peaks, including Rhodas Arch and Piedra Peak
- Buildings:
- Improvements consist of a main lodge, cabin, and barn with caretaker quarters which provide ready-to-use infrastructure for extended stays or operations
- Acreage:
- Broker/s statement:
- “This Ranch is absolutely one of a kind; the sheer beauty is unlike anything we have ever seen, with nearly 3 miles of improved trout stream and over 15 acres of lakes, this is one of a kind. The Ranch sits right outside of Creede, Colorado; the bucolic setting is in a valley surrounded by 12,000+ foot peaks, and all the improvements have attention to detail that leaves you breathless. The Ranch comprises 480 acres with three residents surrounded by National Forest, making it the ultimate legacy ranch”
- Listing Details:
- Don’t miss your chance to own this exceptional Colorado Ranch For Sale with M4 Ranch Group: contact us today
- View Red Mountain Ranch For Sale
M4 Ranch Group
At M4 Ranch Group, finding you the perfect Colorado ranch for sale 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
Red Mountain Ranch
$19,450,000
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.
Big Ragged Mountain Ranch
$13,900,000
Big Ragged Mountain Ranch spans 3,760± acres of Colorado’s Western Slope, where generations of the Hotchkiss family have cherished this land for over a century. Now, for the first time, this historic Colorado Ranch is being offered For Sale, presenting a rare opportunity for those who appreciate land rich in history and outdoor adventure.
Grand Mesa Ranch
$14,500,000
Grand Mesa Ranch is one of the most unique, private, and scenic property in the North Fork area – Located in Hotchkiss, Colorado. This Colorado Ranch For Sale contains 4,338± acres within GMU 52 & 521 and is allotted landowner Elk & Mule Deer Tags. There is water abound with water rights, ponds, lakes, a reservoir, and live water.
