10643 CR 501 , Bayfield, CO 81122(La Plata County)

Cool Water Ranch can rightfully be described as the crown jewel of the Pine River Valley and the Ranch has a rich family history dating back to the early 1900’s. This Ranch checks all the boxes and you would be hard pressed to find a more spectacular stretch of river, not to mention the beautiful mountain views. The Pine River meanders through over 2 miles through Cool Water Ranch on it’s way down the valley and is known to have some of the best tailwater Rainbow Trout fishing in southwest Colorado. The Ranch is 1,015+- acres and consists of a couple of miles of river bottom and the Ranch extends up the mountainside to the north and the south sides of the Pine River Valley, bordering public lands on 4.5 miles of its boundary, allowing for seemingly limitless recreation and hunting opportunities.The Ranch is located just over a mile downstream from the Vallecito Lake Dam, which offers even more recreational opportunities, including fishing, motorized boating and swimming. There is approximately 20-30 acres of irrigable land in the valley floor, that was at one time in hay production, but is now used for livestock and big game grazing. The Ranch has 40% rights to the Ferrel Ditch and 100% rights to the Browner Canyon Ditch.

Improvements

Cool Water Ranch has a 1,155 SF farmhouse that has been the primary residence of the Seller since 1935 and has been updated through the years. There is also a hobby shop cabin, 5 short term rental cabins on the river and 14 RV rental spaces. The property is fenced and cross fenced and about 20-30 acres of the river bottom are irrigable using 40% rights in the Ferrel Ditch and 100% rights in the Browner Canyon Ditch.

Recreation

Cool Water Ranch really checks the boxes for both beauty and recreation. The gorgeous Pine River wanders down the valley floor through the Ranch for 2+ miles and offers some of the best tailwater Rainbow Trout fly fishing in SW Colorado, while taking in the most remarkable mountain setting that is just to spectacular for words to effectively describe.

If two beautiful miles of the Pine River isn’t enough, the property also boasts excellent mule deer, elk, turkey and black bear hunting. The Ranch is located in GMU’s 75 & 751 and bull elk tags are available over the counter for the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons, and available by drawing for the remaining seasons. Black Bear and Turkey tags are available over the counter as well. The Ranch qualifies for two applications in the land owner preference program for Mule Deer Buck vouchers. The Ranch borders tens of thousands of acres of public land, greatly expanding your hunting, hiking and horseback riding range. There are miles of 2-trac trails on the Ranch, providing you with not only good access to the Ranch but also giving you even more recreational opportunities for ATV’s, horseback riding and hiking.

Southwest Colorado is most definitely an outdoor enthusiasts dream. Vallecito Lake is just a mile or so upstream and is a gorgeous mountain lake with 12 miles of shoreline. Vallecito Lake is open for recreational boating and is known for its great fishing, including Rainbow & Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Kokanee Salmon. The gorgeous mountain scenery from the lake just can’t be beat. The area has an abundance of public land giving you unlimited options for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and 100’s of miles of ATV & Jeep trails.

Region & Climate

Bayfield, Colorado is located in the Pine River Valley and is nestled into the mountain ranges to the north. The area experiences a four-season climate with distinct seasonal changes. Summers are warm and sunny, with daytime highs in the 80sF and cool, comfortable nights. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often dipping into the teens and occasional snowstorms adding to the area’s scenic beauty. Spring and fall bring mild temperatures, crisp air, and vibrant foliage. Bayfield averages around 260 sunny days per year, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round. The elevation of approximately 6,900 feet contributes to its dry, mountain climate with low humidity, clear skies, and clean, refreshing air throughout the year.

Location

Cool Water Ranch is on a paved county road and is conveniently located less than 15 minutes from Bayfield and only 20 minutes from Durango. Access from around the country is easy too, with Durango La Plata County Regional Airport being just a quick 35 minutes away, offering direct flights to Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and Denver.