Fraser, CO 80442(Grand County)

The resort towns of Fraser and Winter Park are tucked against the Continental Divide ensuring dependable snow all winter long. Skiers are happy with two downhill resorts, learn-to-ski-and-ride parks; moguls for the die-hards, and four cross-country resorts with plentiful groomed trails. Families love slipping, sliding and gliding on the regional tubing hills and skating rinks. Once-in-a-lifetime type activities also abound: back country snowcat ski trips, dog sled rides, groomed snowmobile trails, hot air balloon tours and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Don't underestimate Winter Park in the summertime because of its name. There's a great deal of locals that testify they "came for the winter, but stayed for the summer."

The hikers and bikers are in a mountain paradise with over 600 miles of trails to explore, dubbing the area Mountain Bike Capital USA for good reason. River rafting, fishing, golfing, boating, horseback riding and a favorite with kids of all ages...the longest alpine slide in Colorado all await you. The warmer weather also attracts exciting events, including marquee music festivals, western rodeos, running races and biking events to the Fraser Valley and Grand County, Colorado.

There is also a wide variety of lodging, locally owned and operated services, over 60 dining and nightlife options and shopping from the Village of Winter Park to the towns of Winter Park and Fraser.

OPERATIONS

Ranch Creek Valley has been enrolled in a forestry plan with the Colorado State Forest Service since 1995. The primary reasons for the plan were to implement a process and procedure to help maintain and enhance the forest health as well as preserve the riparian area of Ranch Creek. The stated objective of the owners for the forestry plan is:

Since 1995 a significant amount of forestry work has been completed. An all-weather road was constructed throughout the property in order to facilitate management of the property; the road includes two bridges over ranch creek, there has been pre-commercial and commercial thinning on the ranch, removal of dead or infested trees, and small clear cuts have been made in areas that were identified in the forestry plan as the proper management tool for overall forest health. The property is currently classified as forest agriculture with Grand County and because of that, the property taxes are minimal at $189.16 per year. The next owner may choose to remove the property from the forestry program if they choose to do so.

WILDLIFE AND RECREATION

The Ranch Creek Valley Ranch provides some of the very best wildlife habitat you can find in the Rocky Mountains. The ranch has abundant live water and water resources for all kinds of wildlife and big game. The pristine location and setting of the ranch is evident by the fact that the property is bordered to the east by the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and to the south by the James Peak Protection Area of the US Forest Service. Whether you enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, mountain biking, or atving, this ranch has something to offer. The exceptional setting and conservation values of the Ranch Creek Valley Ranch in addition to its unique location would make it an excellent candidate for a conservation easement.

WATER RIGHTS AND RESOURCES

The virgin riparian area of Ranch Creek meanders through the valley floor for about two thirds of a mile creating pristine habitat for brook trout and the Colorado River Cutthroat trout. Ranch Creek also provides unlimited water for big game and wildlife alike. In addition to Ranch Creek, there are several smaller year round tributaries to Ranch Creek one of which cascades down glacial granite boulders creating your own surreal mountain setting. There are also spring fed natural ponds on the property creating additional water resources for wildlife.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights owned by the seller are included in the purchase price and will convey at closing.

HISTORY

Ranch Creek Valley is rich with Colorado history, the original Rollins Wagon trail from the Front Range to Middle Park meanders alongside Ranch creek all the way through the ranch.

Native Americans were the first travelers over Rollins Pass which is a natural low crossing over the Continental Divide and beyond. The first recorded use of the pass by a wagon train was in 1862. It is named for John Rollins, who constructed a toll wagon road over the pass in the 1870s, providing a route between the Colorado Front Range and Middle Park. The pass was used heavily in the late 19th century by settlers to drive cattle over the continental divide to Middle Park, and at one time as many as 12,000 cattle at a time were driven over the pass. Many wagon trains of those seeking their fortunes used this route to the western slopes.