Executive Summary
Monument Peak is located in one of Colorado’s most prolific big-game areas. Consisting of a well located and easily accessible deeded parcel controlling access to a large area of BLM lands, the variety of terrain combined with diversity of wildlife on the property is surprising for its size. The ranch begins with native sagebrush pasture leading to brush covered hillsides and climbing to aspen and coniferous forest. Much of this terrain is rugged,k mountainous country providing habitat for the larger bull elk in the area. BLM land is adjacent to the majority of the northern, eastern and southern boundaries of the ranch. A small creek and numerous springs enhance the game habitat of the property. Improvements consist of an older home, cabin and sheds which are in need of renovation. A variety of desirable homesites from secluded aspen groves to top-of-the-mountain views can be found on this ranch. Location
Located between Rifle and Meeker, Colorado, Monument Peak ranch is approximately 18 miles north of Rifle and 26 miles south of Meeker. Access to the property is excellent with Colorado Highway 13 passing through portions of the property. This ranch lies to the west of the Flat Top Mountains which are renowned for a large population of elk.
Meeker, Colorado has a population of approximately 2,400 people and while very well-known as a center for big-game hunting and fishing, maintains much of its western heritage as a cattle and sheep ranching community. Rifle is also influenced by recreation and agriculture and its location on Interstate 70 provides access to the resorts and other amenities of the I-70 corridor.
The resort communities of Aspen, Vail and Steamboat Springs are all within a one-and-one-half to two hour drive. Smaller ski areas are located at Glenwood Springs and on the Grand Mesa, each about a 45 minute drive. The nearest large city is Grand Junction which supports a commercial airport and is just over an hour from the ranch. Denver is a three hour drive from Rifle. Both Meeker and Rifle have airports capable of landing private jets. Locale
Monument Peak Ranch is part of the management area for the White River elk herd which consists of approximately 40,000 head. The mix of public and private lands in this area contributes to the on-going desirability of this area for game management. Monument Peak Ranch controls hunting pressure on its deeded land and there is little public pressure on the adjoining BLM land due to the ranch’s control of vehicle access routes. The public can only access the better hunting area on the BLM by foot or horseback in very rugged terrain.
Neighbors to Monument Peak are primarily long-time ranchers. Most of the adjacent land is federal with adjoining private land operated for livestock grazing and recreation.
Recreational opportunities in the community are outstanding with direct access to thousands of acres of BLM land and the nearby expansive White River National Forest. White River National Forest incorporates several wilderness areas, the closest being Flat Tops Wilderness. Fishing in the area is excellent with the White River and numerous tributaries to the White and Colorado Rivers nearby.
Rifle and Meeker provide nearly all the services and facilities to support both the recreational and agricultural activities of the area. These towns offer lodging, dining, fishing and hunting shops and guides as well as a variety of retail and equipment providers. Climate
The western slope of Colorado offers a mild semi-arid climate. On Monument Peak Ranch summers consist of sunny days with temperatures in the 70s or 80s, cooling rapidly in the evenings. Afternoon showers are a common occurrence. Fall is a very pleasant time with cool, dry days and evenings, turning leaves and the first snows. Winters are cold, but the arid climate allows for enjoyable outdoor activities on most days. The lower elevations will have snow cover for two to four months in most years. Spring weather is variable and is the heaviest precipitation period with a mix of snow and rain. General Description
Monument Peak Ranch contains a surprising diversity of terrain, vegetation and wildlife considering its 960± deeded acres. The ranch consists of a contiguous parcel of private land sharing over four miles of boundary with BLM land.
The western side of the ranch is part of a valley consisting of sagebrush rangeland interspersed with areas of wet pasture. State Highway 13 is the main access route with a few acres of this portion of the ranch lying west of the highway. The improvement site is located where Piceance Creek Road runs through the northern edge of the ranch. Elevation changes rapidly to the south and east, rising above the valley floor 7,200 feet to several mountain peaks of 8,500 to 9,100 feet. The bulk of the acreage is southeast of the homestead and consists of rugged mountainous terrain with attractive aspen groves interspersed among old growth forest of fir and spruce. Gambel oak and other brush species provide ideal game habitat in the transitional zone between the valley floor and higher elevations.
Several springs are captured in small ponds providing water for game and livestock. The headwaters for Government Creek begin on this part of the ranch. This small creek flows year-round and could be enhanced to provide fishing by constructing holding structures or ponds.
This southeastern portion of the ranch is accessible only by trail road, providing an atmosphere of wilderness solitude occupied by bull elk, bear and mountain lion. The views from the higher elevations on this part of the ranch encompass snow-capped peaks, colorful aspen and brush-covered hillsides as well as the mesa tops to the east.
For the past several years the property has mostly been used for recreation with an emphasis on game management. The summit of Monument Peak is located on the BLM land. A restricted access road to the top of the peak is maintained by the entities that have various communication towers on the peak.
From the gentle terrain on the northwest side of the ranch climbing to rugged mountain terrain, Monument Peak Ranch provides an assortment of wildlife, vegetation and views suitable for both the adventurous and those desiring a more family- friendly environment. Improvements
The property has one set of buildings which is on the northwest side of the ranch. This is an old ranch headquarters site with a home, cabin and sheds. The buildings have not been occupied recently. With renovation, the home could be suitable as a modest owner’s home or for a caretaker’s residence. The cabin could also be renovated for hunters or guests.
There are several potential homesites on the ranch that offer privacy at lower elevations or endless views from higher elevations. Utilities are in place to the existing buildings and could be brought in to some of these sites although “off grid” living is also a viable and comfortable option. Water Resources
Numerous springs occur throughout the ranch. Several have been developed and fill small ponds, which are excellent sites for wildlife viewing.
Government Creek is a small rushing mountain stream as it passes through the property. The creek is not considered a fishery, but the current manager believes that fishing could be developed by the use of holding structures. Wildlife Resources
Monument Peak Ranch is outstanding in the variety and population of wildlife that inhabit the property. Elk reside on the property and adjacent federal land year-round with numbers from the dozens to the hundreds depending on the season. Mule deer can be found in good numbers for most of the year, migrating to lower elevations in winter. Turkey and grouse are also seen. In Colorado, landowners are entitled to a percentage of the permits issued for each game management unit. Under current Division of Wildlife regulations it is very likely that the owner of Monument Peak would be eligible for big game licenses on an annual basis. Black bear and mountain lion reside on the ranch along with dozens of other species of birds and mammals. Acreage
960± Acreage Breakdown
Broker Comments
Monument Peak Ranch will appeal to nearly anyone desiring a recreational property. The diversity of terrain, vegetation and wildlife will suit the tastes of the truly adventurous to those wishing hunting, hiking or riding in gentler country. The combination of deeded and federal land, to which most access is controlled by the ranch, contributes to the feeling that this property is much larger than its 960± deeded acres.
The ranch is not burdened by excess improvements, allowing a new owner to build to his or her own needs. The majority of the property is very private and secluded with essentially no public roads through the ranch. At the same time there is good year-round access and utilities on the property.
In summary, Monument Peak provides many of the features most desired by recreational ranch buyers — privacy, shared boundary with federal lands, scenic views, large numbers of big game animals and a variety of other wildlife and recreational opportunities.Mineral Rights
Seller will convey all owned mineral rights. With the exception of federal reservations, owner believes he has 100% of the minerals on the majority of the property and 50% on the balance. Recreational Considerations
Opportunities for recreation on this property and in the general area are boundless. Elk and deer hunting on the ranch is excellent with good sized bull elk and mule deer bucks. Elk scores of 300 are common, with an occasional score in the 350’s. Mule deer will run from 170 to 180 with bigger trophies of up to 200. Black bear and mountain lion can be taken on the ranch. Hunting for wild turkey and grouse is also available.
While hunting would be the focus for many prospective owners, there are numerous other opportunities on the property in the form of hiking, horseback or ATV riding, and simple enjoyment of the wildlife found throughout the property.
In addition to these features, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest along with hundreds of thousands of BLM acres are at the doorstep of the Monument Peak Ranch. From enjoying Colorado’s finest ski resorts to the solitude of the several nearby designated wilderness areas, there are year-round recreational opportunities to explore. Taxes
Properties that qualify for an agricultural property tax status in Colorado generally pay very reasonable property taxes. Since some of this property is being split from other land owned by the seller, taxes can only be estimated at this time. Property taxes are estimated at $1,484.44. Additional Services
MANAGEMENT SERVICES – Hall and Hall’s Management Division has a very clear mission – To represent the owner and to ensure that his or her experience is a positive one. Services are customized to suit the owner’s needs. They often begin with the recruiting and hiring of a suitable ranch manager or caretaker and are followed by the development of a management or operating plan along with appropriate budgets. Ongoing services include bill paying, ranch oversight, and consulting services as needed. Even the most sophisticated and experienced ranch owners appreciate the value of a management firm representing them and providing advice on local area practices and costs. Wes Oja and Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 656-7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Randy Clavel at (303) 861-8282 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call.
RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT SERVICES – Increasingly the value of a ranch is measured by the quality of each and every one of its resources. Coincidentally the enhancement of a ranch’s resources also increases the pleasure that one derives from the ownership of a ranch. Our management services have included the assessment of everything from wildlife habitat to bird habitat to water resources and fisheries and the subsequent oversight of the process involved with the enhancement of these resources. Wes Oja or Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call.
SPECIALIZED LENDING - Over the past 59 years Hall and Hall has created a legacy by efficiently providing capital to the intermountain west. In addition to traditional farm and ranch loans, we specialize in understanding the unique aspects of placing loans on ranches where value may be influenced by recreational features, location and improvements and repayment may come from outside sources. Our extensive experience and strong relationships with our lenders allows us to quickly tell you whether we can provide the required financing.
Competitive Pricing ● Flexible Terms ● Efficient Processing
In-House Appraisals ● Common Sense Underwriting
Dave Roddy ● (406) 656-7500
Mike Hall, Judy Chirila, or Randy Clavel ● (303) 861-8282
Monte Lyons ● (806) 698-6882 Email Broker - Mike Hall Return to Top | Return to List
Hall and Hall is acting as a Seller’s Agent and will cooperate with other agents acting as a Transaction Broker or Buyer Agent only.
NOTICE: Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, potential profits, etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been provided by sources deemed reliable, but whose accuracy we cannot guarantee. Prospective buyers should verify all information to their satisfaction. Prospective buyers should also be aware that the photographs in this brochure may have been digitally enhanced.
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