Executive Summary
The Seely Ranch is situated along the banks of the White River in the shadow of the Flat Tops Mountains of northwestern Colorado just seven miles upstream of Meeker. This unimproved ranch features a great stretch of the coveted White River, encompassing both sides of multiple channels for a total of well over one mile of high quality private water. Big trout swim here and a wide variety of wildlife inhabit its broad riparian corridor and lush irrigated meadows. The 160± acre ranch is adjacent to the 9,500± acre Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area providing additional big game viewing and hunting. The nearby White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness Area offer a multitude of outdoor recreational activities. Location
The Seely Ranch is located in Rio Blanco County, approximately seven miles southeast of Meeker, Colorado, on paved County Road 8, also known as the Flat Tops Scenic Byway. The property is situated at the upper end of a bucolic agricultural region known as Agency Park. The White is a large river system, draining approximately 3,770 square miles of the western slope of the Flat Tops Mountain Range. Most of the Flat Tops Mountains lie within White River National Forest as does the Flat Tops Wilderness Area.
Meeker, with a population of about 2,400 is the county seat of Rio Blanco County and has retained its culture as a true western town still primarily influenced by agriculture and recreation. The resort communities of Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Vail and Beaver Creek are all within a one and-one-half to two hour drive. Meeker boasts a 6,500 foot paved jet-capable strip only five miles from the ranch. The nearest commercial air service is available at Hayden, approximately 70 miles to the north. There is also commercial air service available in Grand Junction, which is approximately 105 miles southwest of the ranch. Locale
The White River valley boasts some of the best fishing and hunting in Colorado and is home to a number of large agricultural and recreational ranches. The valley is characterized by stewardship-minded ranch owners whose primary motivation for purchase and ownership has been to protect and enjoy their properties. The White River Valley has become one of the most sought after valleys in Colorado because of its physical beauty, abundant wildlife, and high quality fly-fishing.
Meeker is an attractive mountain town that offers a full complement of services from restaurants and motels, to banks, grocery stores and other essential services. It remains a town with a strong agricultural base that has embraced the additional recreational activities in the area without losing its character. It has a unique charm and is quite unlike many of the other nearby towns and cities in that respect. Climate
The Seely Ranch boasts a comfortable year-round climate. The summers are moderate with cool nights and the winters, while cold at times, are not subject to the very heavy snowfalls that the upper part of the White River Valley receives. It is an area that one can access and enjoy every month of the year. The property is located at approximately 6,500 feet above sea level and is gently sloping. General Description
The ranch generally resembles a square that is 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile. It is bordered by the paved Flat Tops Scenic Byway (County Road 8) and the 9,500± acre Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area on its east side and incorporates the White River riparian area on the west. The Oak Ridge Park Ditch parallels the county road and provides irrigation water to the broad meadows sloping down to the river. Approximately half (80± acres) of the ranch is irrigated.
The remainder of the ranch encompasses the river corridor, with numerous channels of the White River and the associated riparian area. The combined channels on the property measure out to approximately 1.4± miles, an outstanding amount of water for a property of this size. The ranch features good holding water and the multiple braids increase the diversity and amount of fishable water, incorporating a number of individual riffles, runs, pools, islands and channel confluences. The expansive riparian zone along both sides of the meandering river corridor is in excellent condition and provides habitat to an abundance of wildlife. Wildlife Resources
The Flat Tops region is well known for high populations of elk, mule deer and black bear. The local White River elk herd is the largest herd in the world. The significant riparian and water resources on the Seely Ranch attract a variety of wildlife, including these big game species as well as a variety of ducks, geese, eagles and other birds. Fishery Resources
he White River is well known as one of Colorado’s top fishing streams. The fact that the Seely Ranch includes a great stretch of both sides of the White River is quite valuable and of itself, but there are two additional factors that make it really stand out.
The first relates to the ranch’s location at the upstream end of an area called Agency Park. Above this area, the White is characterized as a relatively fast flowing, medium gradient freestone river. It flows quickly through the valley and is never far from the road. As it enters Agency Park, the river spills out of the canyon and onto a broader plain. The slower, more meandering flows of this stretch allow aquatic bugs to flourish and the trout to grow bigger. Due to the increased width of the valley, the road is also located farther from the river and is barely, if at all, noticeable when fishing the ranch.
Secondly, there are multiple river channels on the ranch, providing not only more water to fish, but more diversity in the size and flows of the channels. The main channel meanders along the western boundary of the ranch, getting close to the boundary, but always staying on the deeded ranch. Meanwhile the east channel, which is about 1/3 the size of the main channel and resembles a spring creek, flows through the eastern edge of the riparian area. In addition, a number of shorter side channels flow back and forth between the two main channels, creating even more habitat and fishing opportunities. The numerous cut-banks, drop-offs, corner pools, riffles, runs, flats, islands and confluences combine to offer a high degree of varied water that holds fish throughout the flow regime. This is anything but a one-dimensional stretch of water. The current channel distance measures out at approximately 1.4± miles. The Seely Ranch is blessed with an extraordinary amount of diverse water for a property this size.
The White River in general offers some of Colorado’s finest fishing. Not only does it offer healthy trout populations, but the river experiences relatively little angling pressure. Since it is a four-hour drive from the Denver metropolitan area and not near ski resorts, the White does not receive near the angling activity as that found on other major Colorado rivers. In addition, a number of ranches along the White have made significant enhancements to the river, further increasing the number and size of fish in the river system. Average fish caught are in the 14 to 18 inch range and there are large numbers of fish over 20 inches. The White features an incredible spring caddis hatch and excellent dry-fly fishing throughout the summer and fall months. The river stays open most of the winter with good nymph and streamer fishing. The Facts
Located approximately seven miles southeast of Meeker, Colorado and a four-hour drive from Denver.
The 160± acre ranch is adjacent to the 9,500± acre Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area providing additional big game viewing and hunting.
Approximately half of the ranch, 80± acres, is irrigated and the majority of the remainder is made up of the river and associated riparian area.
The White River Valley has become one of the most sought after valleys in Colorado because of its physical beauty, abundant wildlife, and high quality fly-fishing.
The Seely Ranch is blessed with an extraordinary amount of diverse water for a property this size.
The Flat Tops region is well known for high populations of elk, mule deer and black bear.
The White River Valley is blessed with a complete inventory of Colorado wildlife and year-round recreational opportunities.
This unimproved ranch features a great stretch of the coveted White River, encompassing both sides of multiple channels for a total of well over one mile of high quality private water.
It is rare to find this amount of diverse fly-fishing water for under $2 million, especially in a scenic and accessible location with good water rights, irrigated meadows and beautiful riparian area. Acreage
160+/- Acreage Breakdown
The Seely Ranch consists of approximately 160± acres. Approximately half of the ranch, 80± acres, is irrigated and the majority of the remainder is made up of the river and associated riparian area. Broker Comments
What is most extraordinary about the Seely Ranch is the large amount of high-quality private water relative to land. It is rare to find this amount of diverse fly-fishing water for under $2 million, especially in a scenic and accessible location with good water rights, irrigated meadows and beautiful riparian area. As an end-user angling and all-around recreational retreat, this property really stands out in its price category. Mineral Rights
Seller will convey all mineral rights appurtenant to the ranch that are owned by Seller, if any, with the sale of the real property. Recreational Considerations
The White River Valley is blessed with a complete inventory of Colorado wildlife and year-round recreational opportunities. It was in the upper White River Valley where Arthur C. Carhart first developed the concept of designating large areas of our most pristine National Forests as “Wilderness Areas.” He was determined that these unique treasures be saved from development. Convenient access to White River National Forest provides further recreational opportunities in terms of riding, hiking and camping in the warmer months and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. Water Rights
The ranch benefits from excellent irrigation water from two ditches, the large Oak Ridge Park Ditch and the smaller Old Agency Ditch, which originates on the ranch. Since the White River is fed by a large drainage that carries a lot of water, historically it has not been administered, meaning that there usually is adequate water to go around. The water appurtenant to the acreage being sold is included with the sale of the real property. 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 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 - Brian Smith 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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