Big Elk Ranch

Ranch Description

Big Elk Ranch is situated in a secluded mountain valley and encompasses just over 2,100 acres of pristine mountain land. The ranch is located just over an hour from Denver and 20 minutes from Estes Park. The Ranch has an incredibly diverse habitat of treed hillsides, creek bottoms lined with willows and aspen groves, and expansive and intermediate mountain meadows. Finding a property this pretty yet located so close to the Front Range Cities, is like finding a needle in a haystack. In addition, the ranch is accessible year round which is highly unusual for this caliber of property. Positioned in high mountainous country, the ranch is surprisingly flat and usable with elevation ranging from 7,900 to 8,600ft. The ranch is currently run as a productive livestock operation while also leasing hunting rights for additional income. The property is fenced and crossed fenced into 5 total pastures and the current owners lease for it for cattle grazing from June to November and take in some horses in the wintertime. There is over 400 acres of hay pasture which produce some of the highest quality grass hay in the state.  Sub-irrigation and water rights aid to yield roughly 4000 small bales annually and will transfer with the sale. Most of the equipment associated with the ranch will also transfer. The improvements in place include a ranch house, several old homesteads and a large historic barn, dating back to the early 1900’s. Plenty of history. Located in Colorado Parks and Wildlife Game Management Unit (GMU) 20, the ranch has also been hunted and carefully managed since it was established, resulting in great hunting year after year. The Ranch is simply a paradise for elk. Large elk herds with trophy animals reside here, as well as mule deer, turkeys and moose.  In addition, the ranch is practically surrounded by National Forest. One of the most unique attributes to the property is its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park, which holds one biggest elk herds in the state. A large number of “park” bulls will migrate to the property, significantly adding to the resident herd come hunting season. A generous amount of landowner tags are obtainable each year for elk and mule deer, and additional tags can be drawn on a yearly basis. Habitat for these animals is un-parallel, because of the ample water, feed and cover located within the ranch borders. Elk scoring 325 all the way up to 350 have been taken and are frequently seen on the ranch. A conservation easement blankets the land, protecting it for generations to come. This easement is very well written and allows ownership to enjoy the land in its entirety while preserving this profound habitat. There are 4 building envelopes with the ranch for new owners to consider building homes and more infrastructure.  Estes Park, also known as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), is located only 20 minutes away from the ranch entrance. Estes Park offers first class living, restaurants and outdoor activities, and is known to be one of the most scenic places in the entire world. The Rocky Mountain National Park protects and encompasses 415 square miles of remarkable mountain environments. Enjoying the ride along Trail Ridge road along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights and fun times are only the beginning of the opportunities that await at RMNP and Big Elk Ranch. As the crow flies, the ranch is only 3 miles from the Park Boundaries. The exceptional hunting/ranching opportunities are only enhanced by the absolutely gorgeous setting of this ranch. Whether you are riding the trails, exploring the trees, fishing for bookies on cabin creek or perched up overlooking the one and only Rocky Mountain National Park, this place will leave you speechless. Whoever is fortunate enough to be the new owner of this historic ranch will truly own a slice of heaven.