Coulter Lake Guest Ranch

Ranch Description

Here is the extremely rare opportunity to purchase one of the Rocky Mountain's most beautiful year around guest ranches, Coulter Lake Guest Ranch.  Nestled in a beautiful valley on a pristine mountain lake in western Colorado, Coulter Lake is located three miles into the White River National Forest (WRNF) and is surrounded by incredible natural beauty and abundant wildlife.  The WRNF encompasses over 2 million acres, bordered to the north by the Flattops Wilderness area and to the west by the Piceance Creek area.  This popular guest ranch consists of 6 guest cabins, a main lodge, commercial kitchen, gift store, caretaker’s cabin and barn with tack room.   Each guest cabin is spread spaciously among the aspen trees with lake views and is an easy walk to the lodge. The cabins have 1 to 3 bedrooms, a sitting area, private bathroom with shower, and a front porch with incredible views and privacy.  The lodge itself has a large dining room, common area around the fireplace, office, and chef’s apartment.  Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of this ranch is its Off the Grid “green” energy production.  Coulter Lake uses solar panels and hydropower to generate most of the electricity. Propane generators back-up the electrical system in the event of increased demand.  This system, plus the spring fed water system, helps complete the ranches claim of sustainability and peacefulness. Coulter Lake Guest Ranch has done an amazing job of being able to profit year around by offering a large variety of guest experiences.  Summer business consists of family vacations, reunions, weddings, and corporate retreats with a focus on horseback riding, hiking, white water rafting, fishing, skeet shooting, and other outdoor activities.  Winter offers snowmobiling, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing.  Other opportunities include Wilderness Adventure Camps, a guide school, nearby golf courses, and much more.  Coulter Lake Guest Ranch can host guests year round.  This area is home to the second largest elk herd in the state.  There is a resident herd in and around the ranch which is supplemented by elk moving to their winter grounds during November.  Elk, mule deer, black bear, and turkeys are all plentiful in this part of Colorado. The ranch is at 8,100 feet surrounded by valleys, drainages with dark timber, aspen stands, and high meadows.  Hunting areas range from 7,000 to 9.500 feet.  Coulter Lake Guest Ranch is a licensed outfitter and has been guiding Colorado elk and deer hunters since 1934.  The outfitting permit allows the ranch to outfit within the WRNF and GMU #33 from Rt. 13/789 on the west, then nearly 20 miles to Meadow Lake & Creek on the east and south to the WRNF boundary.  Coulter Lake Guest Ranch also has access to approximately 1,200 acres of private land. Hunts can be based from one of the ranch cabins, from a high walled drop camp, or on the private land with any hunt being guided or non-guided. Coulter Lake Guest Ranch is located 20 miles from Rifle, Colorado.  The ranch is located within an hour and a half from the Grand Junction and Vail Regional Airports and the world famous ski resort of Aspen.  Coulter Lake Guest Ranch is being sold fully furnished with all current machinery, inventory, and improvements included.  Sellers understand that the purchase would be contingent on obtaining the National Forest Special Use Permits for the business.