Phelps Ranch

Parlin, Colorado
$790,000- SOLD!

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Just 12 miles east of Gunnsion, directly west of Parlin, Colorado and contiguous to Hwy 50, the Phelps Ranch offers 101 acres, a 2,341 sq. ft. ranch-style brick home, irrigated land, water rights and 4,360 feet of both banks of Tomichi Creek. A freestone fishery offering consistent temperatures, steady water flow, a mild gradient, solid insect population, and self-supporting trout habitat is home to enormous German browns. Located in the Tomichi Creek Valley and just downstream from the confluence of Quartz Creek, this property is part of a unique ecosystem that has protected over 15,000 acres.

Located in the Tomichi Creek Valley, west of Parlin, Colorado and just downstream of the confluence of Quartz Creek and Tomichi Creek, the Phelps Ranch is 12 miles west of Gunnison and within an hour of Crested Butte. Highway 50 is contiguous to the property and provides direct paved access.

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is located one mile southwest of Gunnison at an elevation of 7,678 feet and is served commercially by United, United Express and American Airlines. The airport is owned by Gunnison County and includes a full-service FBO, charter service, vehicle rentals and all-weather operations.

The Phelps Ranch is located in the heart of the Tomichi Creek Valley. This incredible valley, located east of Gunnison and extending to the base of Monarch Pass, has maintained its agricultural roots, historic ranching traditions and offers some of the best private creek fly-fishing in the state. Additionally, approximately 85% of this valley has been protected by conservation easements and is to date the highest concentration of contiguous pieces of protected land anywhere in the country.

Gunnison has long been recognized as one of Colorado’s premier recreational destinations, offering a multitude of year-round recreational opportunities, a friendly atmosphere, unique mountain lifestyle and small town flavor. One of the reasons Gunnison will always have a vibrant cultural atmosphere is because it is a “college town.” Western State College, highly ranked academically, is a fully accredited four-year institution offering a wide array of courses and degrees. Gunnison supports a diverse culture; several art galleries, antique shops, museums, shopping and a variety of restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines. A county-owned airport, convention center, hospital, variety of local health services, financial services, sporting goods stores, golf courses, shopping and plenty of fly shops are some of the attributes of this very distinctive mountain town. The three main drivers of Gunnison County are tourism, education and ranching. The county is sixth largest in the state consisting of 3,239 square miles and is approximately 78% federally owned. The current population is estimated to be slightly over 15,000 residents.

Crested Butte is a historic and colorful mountain town less than 30 miles from Gunnison and within 45 minutes of the Phelps Ranch. To quote one of the locals, “Crested Butte is unpretentious and full of life, a place to unplug and recharge.” The Colorado State Legislature has officially recognized Crested Butte as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” The annual Wildflower Festival, held in July, was recently named the “Best Annual Festival in the Mountains” by the Westword. Mountain-biking enthusiasts from around the world also come to visit The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, also headquartered in Crested Butte.

Known for it’s consistent sunshine, Gunnison receives approximately 10± inches of precipitation and averages between 46 and 54 inches of annual snowfall. A typical winter day is in the low 20s to 30s and summer-time temperatures vary from the mid- 70s to high 80s. While Gunnison can experience very cold winters, the area also offers some of the best spring, summer and fall weather anywhere in Colorado.

The Phelps Ranch is a mix of irrigated meadows, sub-irrigated grassland, cottonwood trees and riparian areas along both banks of Tomichi Creek. In the heart of the Tomichi Creek Valley, the topography is uniform and level, providing views in all directions including notable landmarks like Tomichi Dome. The home, located in the existing nine-acre building envelope, is positioned on the north side of the property immediately west of Parlin and not far off Hwy. 50, providing easy and convenient access. County Road 43 provides access to the south side of the property and Tomichi Creek.

The centerpiece of the Phelps property is Tomichi Creek, an exceptional freestone fishery, that meanders and snakes its way through irrigated meadows for 4,360 feet.

A ranch-style brick home, built in 1966, with direct access from Hwy. 50, complements the property. The home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room, large family room and utility room. Gunnison County Assessor’s office rates the home at 2,341 sq. ft., and the two-car garage is 648 sq. ft. Water is provided by a domestic well.

The Phelps property is located in Colorado Division of Wildlife’s GMU No. 67. This area is noted for its abundance of mule deer. With close proximity to the Gunnison National Forest and surrounding BLM lands there is ample opportunity to spend time in the wilderness viewing elk, deer, bear and a multitude of small-game species. The area is also recognized for bald eagles and the Gunnison sage-grouse.

The Phelps property presents seasonal opportunities for waterfowl, including Canadian geese and various species of migrating ducks.

The Tomichi Creek headwaters begin in the Sawatch Range, on the Continental Divide, and traverse 51 miles westward to merge with the Gunnison River. The upper end of Tomichi Creek is fast-moving water. As the creek settles into the valley it becomes slower moving and snakes its way through private property. The Phelps Ranch is located just downstream of the confluence of Quartz Creek and Tomichi Creek. While predominately a German brown fishery, rainbows and brook trout are present as well. Average size trout range from fingerlings to anywhere from 12 to 18 inches.

The Phelps property offers 4,360 feet of both banks of Tomichi Creek presenting several “S-turns” and natural bends as it snakes its way through lush irrigated meadows and willow-lined banks. It is a freestone fishery offering a mild gradient, good holding water, several riffles, small pools and quality runs. Additionally, Tomichi Creek offers a healthy variety of insects, nutrient-rich trout habitat, consistent flows and cold temperatures.

Access to the Taylor River, Gunnison River, and East River is readily available and offers some of the best fly-fishing opportunities in the state.

Conservation Easement

The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust holds the conservation easement on the Phelps Ranch. The easement was officially amended October 29, 2007 to include the following changes: the existing single-family residence “may be repaired, reasonably enlarged and replaced within the designated building envelope. One additional new single-family residential dwelling may be constructed within the building envelope.”

The CCALT, in cooperation with the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy has officially protected approximately 14 miles of land between Gunnison and Monarch Pass along the banks of Tomichi Creek. To date the CCALT, GRCL and other partners have protected more than 15,000 acres.


Utilities

Gunnison Rural Electric Association supplies power.
Qwest Communications provides telephone services.
There are several propane providers in the area.

Online Resources

• Gunnison Crested Butte
• Gunnison County
• City of Gunnison
• Gunnison Chamber of Commerce
• The Club at Crested Butte
• Crested Butte Lodging
• Crested Mountain Resort
• Monarch Mountain
• USDA Forest Service
• National Park Service, Black Canyon
• National Park Service, Curecanti
• Taylor Park Marina

101±

All mineral rights, if any owned by the seller, shall be conveyed to the buyer at closing.

Thousands of acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, the Fossil Ridge Wilderness and Recreation Management Area and 1.7 million-acre backcountry of the Gunnison National Forest are within minutes of the Phelps Ranch, offering convenient and easy access to enjoy all types of recreational activities on a year-round basis. Curecanti National Recreation Area, located just west of Gunnison, consists of 41,972 total acres. This designated recreation area possesses three major reservoirs — the Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal. Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado’s largest man-made body of water and is also recognized as the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States.

At maximum capacity the reservoir offers 96 miles of shoreline and is approximately 20 miles long. Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs are only accessible by a designated trail system and boating is limited to hand-carried crafts and guided tours.

Morrow Point Reservoir is the entrance to the famous “Black Canyon.” The name “Black Canyon” is appropriately titled due to the dimensions of this natural wonder — sunlight is precious and only illuminates the canyon for a short time. Designated as a National Park in 1933, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a geological marvel, encompassing 30,244 acres with enormous vertical wall rising to 2,722 feet and stretching for more than 1,500 feet at its widest point. The legendary Gunnison River has carved its way through this 47.26 mile-long canyon and created one of the most beautiful landmarks in the western United States. Taylor Park Reservoir, a 2,033-acre lake fishery and the headwaters of the world-class Taylor River is within 35 minutes of the Phelps Ranch.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is less than 30 miles from the Two Rivers Ranch. The resort is very attractive with a unique local panache and is known for its extreme skiing. It offers 1,167 skiable acres, 121 established runs, 2,775 feet of vertical drop, and 300± inches of annual snowfall. Monarch Mountain is approximately an hour east of Gunnison and was established in 1939. With 350± inches of annual snowfall, 54 runs, 800 skiable acres and a vertical drop of 1,170 feet, it is some of the best powder and tree-skiing Colorado has to offer. Directly south of Gunnison is the Dos Rios Country Club, which features a 6,535-yard golf course and is stylishly intertwined with the Gunnison River. The Skyland Mountain Golf Resort at Crested Butte offers a 7,208-yard championship course and the largest golf school, known as John Jacobs Practical Golf School.

Outstanding senior water rights provide irrigation water for the property. Adjudication dates are 4/29/1904 and 4/19/1943 respectively. All water rights were officially appropriated 6/1/1876. Quartz Creek is the source for irrigation water and is diverted to the property from Parlin Ditch #1 and #2. The owners have historically irrigated approximately 76± acres and harvest approximately 1.5 tons of hay per acre. An undivided 40% interest in the water rights totaling 9.8 c.f.s will be conveyed to the buyer at closing.

The 2008 property taxes were $1,105.44.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES - The management of a ranch such as this one can be made as simple and as time saving or as involved as one desires through the services of Hall and Hall’s ranch management division. These services are customized to each owner and ranch. They can be as simple as leasing out the agricultural operations so one has virtually no responsibilities. Or they can be as involved as assessing the existing resource, finding and hiring a caretaker or manager, buying livestock and equipment, expense paying and payroll accounting, etc. 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 or Randy Clavel at (303) 861-8282 are available to describe and discuss these services further and welcome your call.

RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT - Should one desire to assess and enhance the existing fish and wildlife assets of this ranch Hall and Hall’s resource management division is available to do so. These services are custom tailored to each owner and ranch and can range from inventorying of existing conditions, plans for restoration and enhancement of streams and ponds and introduction of bird and game feed plots to bidding, cost accounting, construction supervision. Peter Weber at (406) 587-3090 and Wes Oja at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services further 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.

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