Ranch Marketing Associates

The Gypsum Creek Outfitters Headquarters Ranch is located in central western Colorado between the resort areas of Vail and Aspen adjacent to the town of Gypsum and very near the Eagle County Regional Airport and Interstate 70. The 53-acre private ranch with spectacular scenic vistas and abundant wildlife sits on a relatively level bench just above Gypsum Creek. The ranch has been operated for the last 15 years as the base and headquarters for a big game hunting business, a horseback and hiking recreation area, and a winter recreation area for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. It serves as a gateway to spectacular hunting in the national forest immediately behind the property. Public access to this forest is very difficult and limited so the property has nearly exclusive access to thousands of acres of pristine wildlife habitat. The ranch is unique in that the front door to the ranch is the highly developed Vail Valley with world-class skiing and golf resorts while the backdoor is world-class big game hunting. It is within Game Management Unit 44, which is renowned for trophy mule deer and elk hunting.

Location:
Gypsum Creek Outfitters Headquarters Ranch is located between Vail and Aspen, Colorado, (40 minutes to Vail, a little over an hour to Aspen in the summer, slightly longer in the winter when Cottonwood Pass is closed) at the base of Red Table Mountain adjacent to the White River National Forest and the proposed wilderness area. The ranch is very easily accessible only four miles south of Gypsum but, due to the geologic "bench" it sits on above the creek and the county road, it is very private. The closest towns are Gypsum and Eagle, the county seat, home to about 5,000 people and most services. Glenwood Springs is the regional hub and is located approximately 25 highway miles west of the ranch. About 36 miles to the east are the Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts. The 2,000,000-acre White River National Forest, abuts the ranch. The ranch is also conveniently located less than 10 miles from the Eagle County Airport which has daily scheduled flight service.

Area and Climate:
Gypsum Creek Outfitters Headquarters Ranch is eight miles south of the center of the town of Gypsum and adjacent to Gypsum Creek which drains into the Eagle River and, a few miles downstream, joins the Colorado River.

The property's location on the west slope of the Continental Divide contributes to more moisture and verdant vegetation than that experienced at a similar elevation on the east side of the divide, providing better grazing for wildlife and stock alike. Total precipitation is 16 inches per annum. With elevations ranging from 7,250 to 7,750 feet, the Gypsum Creek Outfitters Headquarters Ranch exhibits the attractive characteristics of the Colorado mountain climate – warm sunny days with low humidity and cool nights. Average summer temperatures are in the upper 70s, with lows in the 40s. Due to the elevation, there is very little insect nuisance. Winter is warmer than is typical of the conditions at the base of some of the Colorado ski resorts with pleasant daytime temperatures ranging from the teens at night to thirties during the day and snow cover (approximately 150 inches per year) from December through March with two to three feet on the ground for most of the winter.

Acreage:
Entering the ranch from Gypsum Creek Road , the internal access entrance rises into the main, very private, grassland and scrub oak area. The 52.85 acres are comprised of brush and pastureland. Spectacular 270-degree views looking north to Dome Mountain and the Flattops, east towards Vail and the New York Mountains and south towards Aspen, the Elk Mountains and the Sawatch Range. A regional electric power line bisects the ranch.

Improvements:
The clean and functional 2,200 sq. ft. main house was built in 1995 and has 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, in-floor radiant heat, carpet throughout, a large 800 sq. ft. deck and walk-out basement. Outbuildings include a log bunk house, hay shed, tack shed, chicken house and a 36’ x 24’ dry-walled and insulated machine shop/garage with concrete floors, 2 garage doors and wood stove. There are excellent additional building sites throughout the property, ranging from higher locations with panoramic views to very private, secluded sites. The ranch includes a road which runs primarily south to north and fences that surround the property. The property is zoned as agricultural/forestry by Eagle County.

Operational Considerations:
The ranch has been operated as a big game hunting preserve. All land is owned in fee, there are no public land grazing permits associated with the ranch.

Water Resources:
There are adjudicated irrigation rights from Gould Creek and Rock Springs totaling approximately one-half cfs.

Wildlife and Fishery Resources:
The ranch is inhabited by elk, mule deer, coyotes, black bears, porcupines, red foxes, bobcats, pine martins, beavers and numerous other small mammals such as snowshoe hares, marmots, long-tailed weasels, ermine, muskrats and chipmunks. In addition, ducks, geese, blue grouse, magpies, great blue heron, hawks, owls and eagles frequent the property.

Trophy quality mule deer are abundant on the ranch and in the adjacent National Forest. The deer utilize it as spring, summer, and fall range. The herd size and buck to doe ratio have been increasing over the last decade. Rifle hunter success averages around 21% in the area but within the ranch it is typically 95%. Elk are abundant on the ranch in the spring, summer and fall. Elk in the area are part of the White River Elk Herd, which is the largest in Colorado and the largest in the United States.

Great fly-fishing is available on several gold-medal streams and rivers that are within striking distance for a quick trip including the Colorado River, Eagle River, Frying Pan River, Roaring Fork River, North Platte River, White River and numerous local streams. Lake fishing is available nearby at Sylvan Lake, Lede Reservoir and a multitude of other high mountain lakes.

Recreational Opportunities:
This property is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains with close proximity to many world-class ski areas: Vail & Beaver Creek, and the four ski areas surrounding Aspen. All of the ski resorts also offer numerous golf courses and other summer recreation opportunities. The nearby Colorado and Eagle Rivers offer fishing, kayaking, and rafting. Hiking, climbing and mountaineering opportunities abound. Road cycling is a popular summer activity with an ever-expanding network of dedicated cycling paths and great mountain biking. Off-road motorcycling and ATV trails exist on the ranch and in the nearby mountains and hills.

The open areas surrounded by tree cover and the topographic privacy of the property give it excellent recreational value. The scenic vistas and the wildlife populations are spectacular. There are millions of acres of public land nearby in the national forest if one chooses to venture beyond the ranch borders. Since the adjacent national forest is not accessible from the county road, there haven’t been any issues with trespassers. The ranch is buffered by adjacent private land - much of which has been permanently protected under conservation easements.

Taxes:
2006 taxes were approximately $700 due to the agricultural status of its use.

Water & Mineral Rights:
The existing well has a very high capacity. Both further surface and well water rights may be developed. Typically, private wells are established to provide water for domestic use and limited livestock consumption. Mineral rights have been severed from the surface ownership throughout the Gypsum Valley.


Terms: Cash or Seller finance with a significant down payment.