Ranch Marketing Associates

Steamboat Springs, Colorado Trophy Ranch near Ski Resort bordering National Forest:
Rarely do you find a ranch property with all of the special attributes located near a highly desirable destination resort. With privacy that is virtually impossible to duplicate and only fifteen minutes from the popular winter/summer resort of Steamboat Springs, Big Creek Ranch encompasses 4,300 acres and is nestled in its own valley with 70% of the perimeter boundary on National Forest. Big Creek flows through the ranch for four miles providing excellent fishing for rainbow and brook trout. The terrain ranges from dense stands of mixed forest to open grass-covered parks with multiple elevation changes from some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in the state. Wildlife is abundant on the ranch and includes elk, mule deer, bear, bobcat, mountain lion, fox, a rare moose sighting, and a variety of raptors, waterfowl and other bird species. Completing this fabulous ranch is a modern, western-style 11,000 square foot lodge with five additional houses, four utility buildings and a historic, 100 year-old barn.

Location:
Big Creek Ranch is a short eight miles from downtown Steamboat Springs via County Road 129. From the ranch’s gated entry, you travel over an all-weather, year-round road to the headquarters and main lodge. Steamboat Springs is approximately 150 miles northwest of Denver and features two airports. Steamboat Springs Airport is located between the ranch and Steamboat Springs offering private service, charter service, air ambulance and FBO. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) offers commercial flights and private service and is located 22 miles from Steamboat Springs with direct flights to Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Newark, Minneapolis and Denver. Yampa Valley Regional Airport is host to four major airlines: American, Continental, Northwest and United and commuter service is provided year-round to and from Denver by United Express.

Area:
Location in the resort community of Steamboat Springs is one of the many advantages of Big Creek Ranch. The property has 70% of its boundary on Routt National Forest and is only 2 miles west of the 159,000+ acre Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Mount Zirkel Wilderness is one of the five originally designated Colorado wilderness areas which runs along the Continental Divide for 36 miles and has over 155 miles of trails and ranges in elevation from 7,000 – 12,000+ feet. There is equally as much national forest with several mountain ranges and numerous rivers and high mountain lakes. Steamboat Springs is one of the most popular resort towns in Colorado and features all of the big city conveniences including hotels/resorts/spas, restaurants, hospital and medical facilities, shopping, golf courses, theater/festivals, and convention/meeting centers in a very charming mountain environment. With five Nordic ski areas within a 30-mile radius, in addition to back country trails within the 1,126,346 acres of Routt National Forest, Steamboat Springs is considered the Nordic center of the Rockies and is a recreation paradise providing endless four-season enjoyment.

Steamboat Springs Overview:
Steamboat Springs, nestled in Colorado’s beautiful Yampa Valley, is a truly remarkable community to live in. The town, with an elevation of 6,695 feet above sea level, received its name in the mid-1800’s when fur trappers ventured over the Continental Divide and heard the gushing sound of mineral springs, reminding them of the sound of steamboats. Once a gold mining, coal mining and ranching community, winter and summer tourism is now the mainstay of Steamboat’s thriving economy. Though called Ski Town USA and known for its world-class skiing facilities, Steamboat Springs was originally a summer resort. Visitors would come in the summer months to take advantage of the many natural hot springs and vast hunting and fishing opportunities. Today, summer activities span the spectrum with two championship golf courses, indoor-outdoor tennis center, endless biking, kayaking, hiking, snow-mobiling, horse-back riding, fly-fishing, white-water rafting, tubing and so much more available right from town.

With a current population just over 10,000 residents, Steamboat Springs doubled its population over the past two decades but still retains its small-town values and ambiance. The town lies against the western ridge of the Continental Divide and is nearly surrounded by National Forest and Wilderness area. The Yampa River, which begins in the Flat Tops Wilderness, flows through downtown Steamboat Springs and eventually meets the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument. Two ski areas, four state parks, hot springs, lakes, rivers and endless trail systems cater to a plethora of outdoor activities.

Steamboat Springs has an excellent public school system and several private schools with reasonably sized classes. The local community college offers opportunities for continuing education and two-year Associate of Arts degrees. There are two elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8), one charter school (K-5) and one high school (9-12). All offer the latest in materials and technology to serve the best interests and development of local youth.

Climate:
Steamboat Springs’ summers are mild, cool and dry with low humidity. July is the hottest month with an average high of 82 degrees and low of 41 degrees. On average, Steamboat Springs Ski Area receives 310 inches of snowfall annually and downtown Steamboat Springs receives 173 inches of snow annually.

Property Details:
Big Creek Ranch is a rare and unique property located close to town yet far enough away to enjoy its beauty and privacy. Historically used for ranching livestock, the ranch has irrigated meadows and grazing land with significant agricultural water rights. Four miles of Big Creek flows through the heart of the ranch with several rolling hills and thick tree-covered forests. There is an improved year-round road from the secured entry which winds its way through several aspen groves over a timbered ridge at 8,200 ft. in elevation which then gradually descends downward through a secluded valley towards the ranch headquarters and lodge. The ranch is approximately five miles long and two miles wide with some narrow spots along the creek and is surrounded by national forest. In addition to the creek, there are 15 ponds on the property. Two of the ponds offer excellent fishing; one with native brook and cut-throat trout and another pond that is stocked.

Improvements:
Big Creek Ranch provides all of the improvements necessary for living and entertaining in luxurious comfort. The centerpiece of the ranch is the 11,000 square foot, three-level lodge with custom woodwork and cabinets throughout by Rich Tucker of Rustic Woodworks, a world-renowned custom cabinet and furniture maker. The residence features a living room bar, six master bedroom suites, eight full baths and one half bath, two bunk rooms for children, a formal cherry-paneled den with a secret door into a working gun room, large gourmet kitchen with a smoker/BBQ ensemble (accessible from inside the kitchen as well as from the scenic outside terrace), formal dining area, great room, entertainment/media room, exercise room, 10’ x 20’ climate-controlled wine cellar, sizeable conference room and much more. Designed in a beautiful mountain western architecture with plenty of log and stone accents, some travertine flooring, dramatic ceilings and lots of windows and outside decks to allow for abundant light and offer incredible views in all directions.

The private driveway leads to an inviting, hand-carved, timber Porte Cochere built on site by the well-known log craftsman, Paul Stoll, who also hand-carved the home’s stairs and log railings. From the driveway at the front of the residence, you cross a small creek and enter through the large, hand-carved doorway. The home is completely landscaped from the well-positioned decks and cozy fire-pit area. There are three wood burning fireplaces located in the master bedroom, great room and den, built by an old school mason in classic, rustic solid-stone style. The back staircase leads to the wine cellar, workout room and hot-tub terrace. Big Creek Ranch is easily accessible year-round. The ranch has a comfortable 2,000+ sq.ft. manager’s home with 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths located at the ranch entrance and five small houses/cabins, four utility buildings, and a classic 100 year-old barn.

Wildlife and Recreation:
With its location, terrain and thriving riparian corridor, it’s common to see wildlife on Big Creek Ranch throughout the year. For the avid sportsman, the ranch and surrounding forest/wilderness has elk, mule deer, bear, and bobcat along with a variety of raptors, waterfowl and other bird species. Entirely contained within the property is four miles of Big Creek offering great fishing for brook and rainbow trout. The creek has been enhanced providing not only good fishing but also beautiful, scenic qualities with its abundant falls and rapids. For further information on the creek restoration work, stream flows and aquatic study, contact the listing Brokers for details. In addition to Big Creek, the ranch also provides 15 small ponds – some stocked along with several adjudicated springs and ditches. The ranch offers year-round outdoor entertainment and recreation from hiking, kayaking and horseback riding in the summer to snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter. Steamboat Springs is only 20-25 minutes from the ranch offering 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, intense tree skiing, wide open meadows, long bump runs and groomed cruisers. The glade area of Sunshine and Storm Peaks are Steamboat’s particular claim to fame with “champagne powder” skiing at its best.

Big Creek Ranch Investment Potential:
While Big Creek Ranch has been used for family enjoyment, its close proximity to town, views, privacy and live water provides an owner a variety of options. The ranch offers a much greater development environment than many of the development projects that have been successfully done in the Steamboat area. The front 1,858 acres has a conservation easement on it with the Yampa Valley Land Trust. This protects the front door of the ranch, and, while it does limit development, it does permit six new single family residences. The balance of the ranch, approximately 2,442 acres, has no restrictions and would allow division into smaller parcels into as many as 69 parcels of 35 acres, or some combination of open space and clustered home sites. As another alternative, there are great potential tax benefits available from the donation of a second conservation easement on the remaining acreage.


Shown by appointment only to qualified Buyers. Broker cooperation invited.


Colorado - Routt County - Steamboat Springs